The Kaua’i Polo Club celebrated the Memorial Day weekend at Anini Polo Field with a round-robin tournament featuring Dori Weymouth’s Brandywine team, Ron Bonaguidi’s Hanalei Bay team and Mike Zapara’s Circle Z team playing matches on Friday and Sunday. Brandywine
The Kaua’i Polo Club celebrated the Memorial Day weekend at Anini Polo Field with a round-robin tournament featuring Dori Weymouth’s Brandywine team, Ron Bonaguidi’s Hanalei Bay team and Mike Zapara’s Circle Z team playing matches on Friday and Sunday.
Brandywine emerged victorious, with Hanalei Bay and Circle Z following in second and third positions.
Friday’s opener pitted Brandywine against Circle Z. Kimo Huddleston scored three goals to lead Brandywine to the 3-1 win. Linda Gallaher picked up the lone Circle Z score.
In the second game, Brandywine continued its winning ways, defeating Hanalei Bay 4-1. Huddleston scored three goals, while Knox Weymouth added another. Only Ron Bonaguidi was able to score for Hanalei Bay.
In the third game, Hanalei Bay squared off against Circle Z. The teams ended in a 2-2 tie. Hal Hargrave and Ron Bonaguidi put scores on the board for Hanalei Bay, while Ronnie Tongg and Ka’aina DeCoite matched them for Circle Z.
A large, enthusiastic crowd turned out for the Sunday’s games, and were treated to exciting polo – excellent horsemanship, stick handling, mallet checking, riding off, team play and sportsmanship.
In the first match, Brandywine faced off against Circle Z. Knox Weymouth scored first for Brandywine when he stole the ball from Tongg and Ka’aina DeCoite and shot it between the goal posts.
Huddleston slammed the ball for a score after receiving a back shot from Bob Rambo. Tongg converted a penalty shot for Circle Z to end the scoring for the chukker. Play in the second period moved rapidly. Huddleston brought the spectators to their feet with two successful penalty shots from midfield. Ka’aina DeCoite ended the scoring when he maneuvered through the pack and stroked the ball. Brandywine won 4-2.
In the round-robin format, the winner steps down and the loser plays the next match.
This brought Circle Z and Hanalei Bay to the field. Within a minute of the first toss in, Hal Hargrave got Hanalei Bay on the scoreboard. The two teams played cautiously, using long drives to move the ball up and down the field.
Following two successive penalties against Circle Z, Bonaguidi, in rapid succession, scored twice for Hanalei Bay. Tongg, who displayed his offensive and defensive skill throughout the tournament, brought the scoring in the period to an end with a beautiful shot on goal. The next chukker, tense throughout, was characterized by well-organized play. Bonaguidi and Herman Louis DeCoite managed some excellent passing plays as they moved downfield with DeCoite putting the score on the board. DeCoite then converted a penalty shot to give Hanalei Bay the 5-1 win.
The victory set up Hanalei Bay to face Brandywine for the title. Aggressive, smart play marked the opening period. Huddleston, Hargrave, and Bonaguidi struggled for control of the ball. Huddleston finally gained control, but pushed the ball over the sideline.
Following the toss in, several players got a mallet on the ball, but it was Bonaguidi who took control, and, with a remarkable effort, scored for Hanalei Bay.
With Brandywine down a goal, the final chukker was highly competitive. Huddleston and Hargrave were engaged in a battle for ball control, as were Herman Louis and his son, Ka’aina DeCoite. Huddleston seemed to be everywhere on defense. After a knock in by Bonaguidi, Huddleston picked up with a high shot to score. Moments later he scored the game-winning goal with an incredible neck shot. It left Brandywine the 2-1 victor, and tournament champs.
A special treat for the local polo fans was the umpiring of Dan Healy. Mr. Healy is an umpire certification specialist for the United States Polo Association and was on Kaua’i the past week at the invitation of the Kaua’i Polo Club for a clinic and demonstrations of new USPA rules and interpretations. The USPA’s aggressive umpire training programs are paying off with a fairer, more enjoyable sport for players, umpires, and spectators.
Polo continues at Anini Polo Field Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Gate opens at 2:00 p.m. The public is welcome. Admission is $5 per person.
