By Liz Leamy
Last Sunday was another afternoon for the books as DaVinci Windows, the remarkable high-goal contingent based out of Greenwich put the pedal to the metal in a fierce faceoff against Land Rover, another esteemed polo faction, to clinch an all-important 18-14 win in a second series-round 2025 East Coast Gold Cup tournament match held at the Greenwich Polo Club.
By all accounts, this showdown was a goldstar event on all fronts with its stellar roster of world-class athletes, both equine and human, packed house of more than 5,000 involved and enthusiastic spectators, extensive and diverse presence of food and retail vendors and other variables that all helped render a unique and incredible environment there, for certain.
“This is such a unique and special place and coming here has been incredible,” said Nate Dean of San Jose, California who attends Syracuse University about his first-ever experience at the Greenwich Polo Club. “This place is the most unique of unique. It’s great to see all the people here and this level of athletics. I’m a sports person and this is a combination of all the sports I like. There also is a lot of socialization here, which isn’t too common at most sports games, which makes even more memorable.”
The polo match, meanwhile, was all about action, speed and skill as both teams flew around the massive Conyers Farm field on their powerful charges hitting the ball, the fundamental element of the match, with the expertise of professional hockey players and also finesse of world-class dancers that help designate this as an edge-of-your-seat experience for so many.
Throughout the game, the talented members of DaVinci Windows, in particular, were playing at optimal level with its high-energy roster featuring Raul (Gringo) Columbres, its renowned number-three seven-goaler, Esteban Panelo, its supercharged four goaler who was named the afternoon’s Most Valuable Player, Juan Olivera Jr., its lightning-quick three goaler and Al Keshvarzien of Greenwich holding down the number-one position in characteristic stealth manner.
For the team, the goal was to do their best, especially with the competition being so fierce.
“It was a tough game and I think the team and horses did very well,” said Colombres, who has been a huge crowd favorite at the Greenwich Polo club ever since he first started playing there several years ago. “The crowd was amazing and when you hear them cheering, it’s a great feeling.”
His colleagues agreed.
“It was a tough game against a really good team,” said Olivera Jr., another popular player at the Greenwich Polo Club. “We just tried to concentrate from start to end and do our best and the horses were incredible.”
For the entire DaVinci Window contingent, including Michael Matkovic, the company’s dedicated Owner and Chief Executive Officer who also grew up in Greenwich, it was extremely meaningful for the team to be playing in front of their home crowd.
“It was a tough game and we were focused on just doing our best,” said Al Keshvarzien of Greenwich, who is proudly representing DaVinci Design Windows LLC, a company based on Benton Street in Stratford, Connecticut whose recent projects include the Modern Glass Railing System at Fairfield University, Curtain Wall at the White in New Haven, Sound Beach Apartments in Old Greenwich and Thorn Hill Residence in Greenwich, among other notable ventures. “The crowd was so vibrant and everything seemed to flow.”
Keshvarzien also gave big props to the Greenwich Polo Club for its gold-star standard. “Everyone here, especially the management and staff, are all incredible,” said Keshvarzien.
“Everything about this club, the crowd, the field, the whole environment, is amazing. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Moreover, the action on the sidelines was also palpable which added another dimension to the whole energy of the afternoon.
“The excitement of the match, along with the energy of people, weather and whole environment here is all just incredible,” said Adriane Klein of Greenwich, who has been attending Greenwich Polo Club matches with her husband, Erik and daughter, Talia, for several years. “It’s pretty special and we love coming here.”
Conclusively, the 2025 Interactive Brokers East Coast Gold Cup tournament will wrap up Sunday, July 20th at the Greenwich Polo Club with the final scheduled to start that day at 3pm.
For more information, please visit the Greenwich Polo Club website at: www.greenwichpoloclub.com
