By Liz Leamy
Last Sunday, the Greenwich Polo Club wrapped up its 2022 season in stellar style with two edge-of-your-seat Pro-Am matches.
Playing in front of more than 4,000 spectators, there were four total teams with each featuring a roster of world and nationally ranked high goalers as well as amateur players from the New York-metropolitan area that designated this afternoon as one for the books.
Playing with speed, skill and agility, these powerful, talented and skilled athletes, both equine and human, held the full attention of the crowd throughout the entire tournament.
In the final tally, Loudmouth/Willow Tree, the formidable team based out of Westchester that is lead by Andrew Siebert, a high goal player who is Chief Executive Officer of Roller Rabbit who President and Chief Executive Officer of Loudmouth Golf, the American sportswear company famous for its colorful trousers, took home top honors.
The Loudmouth brigade, who wore colorful jerseys that popped out on the field and played with fire and focus wound up on top of the leaderboard in this heated faceoff against Steel Polo/Roxbury Raider, Round Hill and Steel Polo/Hameets, all teams of which are based in and around the New York metropolitan area.
“It was a lot of fun to play out there today. Everyone played a good game and the crowd was great,” said Brandon Phillips, the renowned high goaler who was a high scorer in this tournament. “It’s terrific to be here and this is just an amazing polo club.”
The other players agreed.
“It was so exciting to be out there today and it’s incredible to be here playing,” said Scott Sorbaro, the 24 year-old Westchester up-and-coming member of the Loudmouth team who was named Most Valuable Player of the match. “I just wanted to play my best and I am very honored to be given the [MVP] award. I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
Sorbaro, who just started playing polo three years ago, added that it was thrilling to play at the Greenwich Polo Club, which is famously known as one of the premiere high-goal destinations of the sport.
“It has always been my dream to play here,” said Sorbaro, who said he grew up watching matches at the Greenwich Polo Club. “This is the best field I’ve ever played on and the players and horses here are incredible. I love playing and train as much as possible so I can keep getting better.”
Certainly, the signature gold standard of the Greenwich Polo Club is much of the reason it has become known as such a unique and spectacular warm-weather outdoor professional sports destination for so many hundreds of thousands of people, especially who are from the New York metropolitan area, over the years.
“This has been a wonderful way to end the season. You can watch polo while having fun with your family and friends. It’s a place where you can just ‘put your feet up’ and relax,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, a Greenwich resident who is Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross New York North chapter and former 13 year Director of Special Events at Greenwich Hospital. “It’s been a beautiful day here and you can see everyone is having such a good time. This is an amazing place.”
Others concurred.
“The Greenwich Polo Club is fantastic and there is just so much happening here. There’s the world-class polo, of course, along with the incredible social atmosphere. That, along with all of the food, cocktails, shopping, barbeque, music and dancing helps make it all such a dynamic and fun environment,” said Jennifer Moore of Greenwich who has been attending matches at the Greenwich Polo Club with her family and friends since 2019. “They’ve tapped into practically everything anyone could want here. I also think the [selfie] wall with the club logo, ivy and flowers and tables and seats and umbrellas along the sidelines are a big draw for people. You can see that everyone is having a great time.”
The theme of excitement seemed to be the main theme of this day, especially for the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., a business partner of the Greenwich Polo Club, as well.
Throughout the afternoon, the expansive Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. tent area was teeming with hundreds of people celebrating Barbados Day with the many offerings of food, rum and other delicious things. (In addition, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. also held a fashion photo contest with a photo booth, which was a big hit at the club.)
“This has been the best day ever. Nothing beats bringing the culture of the Barbados to Greenwich,” said Eusi Skeete, Director of the U.S. Division of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “I always look forward to coming here. It’s the perfect place to be and this is the perfect mix for us. This is such a dynamic and beautiful venue and everyone is always so friendly. That, along with the fact that the Barbados is the polo capital of the Carribbean makes this an ideal situation for us.”
Certainly, Skeete’s words seem to ring true as the Greenwich Polo Club has come to represent such a special and unique place a place that provides entertainment, enjoyment, inspiration and good memories for so many, and that, in the final tally, is everything.
