Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club has named Henry Walker as the new president of the Board of Directors. He succeeds John Muse, who made significant contributions to the club during his nine-year tenure.
“It is an honor to step into this position and continue a long family tradition of dedication to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club,” Walker said. “Our goal is to uphold the highest level of standards and set benchmarks for excellence, ensuring that the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club remains a destination for exceptional talent, high-caliber matches, and the pinnacle of polo on the West Coast.”
Walker’s family legacy at the club dates back to the 1950s, marking decades of influence and participation, the club said. Walker’s brother Daniel Walker served two terms as president of the Board of Directors, and led the Farmers & Merchants Bank team to win the Pacific Coast Open Championship tournament in 2017 and 2019.
“Henry’s leadership comes at an exciting time for the club,” said Muse. “His deep-rooted connection to polo and the Santa Barbara community, combined with a forward-looking vision, makes him the ideal person to lead the club into its next chapter.”
Walker is CEO of Farmers & Merchants Bank, which has 27 banking offices from San Clemente to Santa Barbara. As a fourth-generation banker, Walker is involved in all areas of management. He is also an executive officer of Queen City Investments, a holding company that owns Farmers and Merchants Trust Company.
Walker is involved in a variety of organizations, and currently participates on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, Orange County Bar Foundation, Orange County’s Pacific Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, and the YMCA of Greater Long Beach.
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club’s 2024 season runs May 5 through Oct. 13. For more information, visit sbpolo.com.