The Global Mortgage Group Challenge tournament last Sunday at Anini Polo Field was enlivened by the presence of two members of Suzanne Figi’s Gypsy.com polo team from San Diego Polo Club joining local players to contest the match. Figi and
The Global Mortgage Group Challenge tournament last Sunday at Anini Polo Field was enlivened by the presence of two members of Suzanne Figi’s Gypsy.com polo team from San Diego Polo Club joining local players to contest the match.
Figi and Graham Bray, a 6-goal player from New Zealand who is well-known on Kaua‘i, teamed with Ron Bonaguidi and Peter Ganibi to represent Gypsy.com; while our own Kiwi, Stuart Mackenzie, teamed with Max Secunda, John Elwin, Peter Cameron and Scott Sims to represent Global Mortgage Group.
It was also a pleasure to have John Reisima from Waipukurau, New Zealand, who played polo here in the early 90’s, as Umpire along with Kamalu Sheldon.
In the end Global Mortgage survived the onslaught and came away with a 5-3 victory.
In spite of the heat and high humidity the action was non-stop from the beginning when Cynthia Lopez of Global Mortgage Group, LTD. tossed in the ball.
Both teams played with a modicum of caution as they marked their opponents, while high goalers Bray and Mackenzie captivated the spectators with their horsemanship, stick work, and assortment of well-executed shots.
Fur began to fly in the second chukker.
Mackenzie cleared the toss in but Ganibi picked it up. In a flash Elwin swooped in and treated a cheering crowd to an eye-popping goal. It was Secunda‚s turn next.
While holding off Ganibi’s bumping and charging he escorted the ball through a sea of mallets and legs and put it between the pylons.
Not to be outdone, Mackenzie, cool under pressure, with extraordinary tactics scored twice bringing the fans off their chairs.
Play settled down somewhat in the third period; however, it was now time for Gypsy to shine. Bonaguidi was first to score.
A penalty 3 was called against Global; and, taking a free hit from 40 yards to an open goal, he smartly struck the ball between the goal posts.
Mackenzie then retaliated with a goal of his own. When the toss in was cleared by Mackenzie, Bray captured the ball.
With the tenacity of a bulldog Bray didn’t let go until he had blasted his way to goal and slammed the ball over the goal line amid a roar of approval from the fans.
Following the bowl in after a split chukker call, Ganibi managed to get the ball; and with a powerful forehand shot sent the ball flying high in the air between the goal posts.
Both teams played overwhelming polo in the final chukker.
The whole period was characterized by tight offensive-defensive play as the teams surged up and down the field playing a no-score chukker. When the final horn sounded it was Global Mortgage Group, LTD. 5, Gypsy.com 3.
Cynthia Lopez of Global Mortgage Group presented members of the winning team with beautiful, engraved koa bowls.
Tournament Polo continues at Anini Field on Sunday at 3 p.m. with the Corporate Sponsor Day Tournament. The public is welcome. Adults $10. per person; 12-18, $5. per person. A special event at the Anini Polo Field following the match.
It will be the “Feel The Thunder Fundraiser” from 5-9 p.m. There will be a beef and chicken barbecue dinner, a polo clinic by polo players, live music by Whirlybirds, and a silent auction.
Tickets for the Fundraiser are $25 per person ($30 per person at the gate). For further information call 826-6626 or 826-5579; or e-mail rjme.swift@verizon.net.
