As summer heats up, so does the competition on the field at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, as it heads into 20 Goal, or High Goal season, starting Sunday, July 10.
In addition to the chance to watch world-class polo players and exciting matches on the field during High Goal season, spectators can enjoy off-the-field activities including new Saturday matches, Ladies Hat Day, and the Netjets Pacific Coast Open.
General admission tickets are on sale now for all matches and can be purchased online at https://sbpolo.ticketsauce.com/. The High Goal schedule can be found online at https://sbpolo.com/web/pages/polo-schedule.
High Goal season opens July 10 with the main Sunday Polo match beginning at a new start time of 1 p.m., and club gates opening at 11 a.m. All Sunday polo matches will start at the new time for the duration of the High Goal series.
Also new during High Goal season: spectators to come and watch Saturday matches on Field 1 (the field opposite the clubhouse). Guests are invited to tailgate or bring blankets to watch the match from the field (here is no grandstand seating on this field). Fieldside Grill will be open on Saturdays as well for food and beverages for purchase.
Saturday games are part of the 8 goal Rincon League, and times will vary week to week, check the website for the most up-to-date schedule. Saturday matches are free to attend and open to the public.
Five teams will compete this High Goal season, including Antelope with Grant Palmer, Felipe Vercellino, Matias Torres Zavaleta and Joaquin Avendano; bensoleimani.com with Ben Soleimani, Lucas Criado Jr., Jeff Hall and Inaki Laprida; Farmers & Merchants Bank with Danny Walker, Matthew Walker (first tournament only) Facundo Obregon (will play the rest of the season after Matthew Walker), Lucas Criado and Peke Gonzales; Klentner Ranch with Justin Klentner, Jake Klentner, Jesse Bray and Santiago Toccalino; and newcomers L.E.N.Y. with Paquito de Narvaez, Keko Magrini, Matias Magrini and Santino Magrini.
The High Goal tournament schedule is as follows:
Rosewood Miramar Beach Robert Skene Trophy, July 8 -17
Farmers & Merchants Bank USPA Silver Cup, July 22-Aug. 7
USPA America Cup, Aug. 7
Netjets Pacific Coast Open, Aug. 12-28
Ladies Hat Day, a Sunday Polo tradition, returns Polo & Racquet Club on Sunday, July 31. Polo fans of all ages are encouraged to don their best hats to enter the contest. Registration is not needed. Participants can just wear a hat and join the festivities after the match for the contest judging and awards. Entry into the contest is complimentary with purchase of a Sunday Polo ticket.
The Netjets Pacific Coast Open, Aug. 12-28, is the premier polo event on the West Coast and the peak of High Goal season at the club. The tournament takes place over the course of three weeks, and tickets are on sale here.
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will continue Happy Hour at 4 p.m. Friday. Guests can buy food and beverages at Fieldside Grill while watching the Friday afternoon match. The After Party will also continue throughout the summer following Sunday polo matches, where guests can enjoy a no-host bar, music and dancing.
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club’s 2022 season sponsors include: Rosewood Miramar Beach, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Folded Hills, NetJets Inc., O’Gara Coach & Bentley Motors of Westlake Village, Young Construction, Whittier Trust, USPA, Global Licensing, Inc., Sentinel Net Lease, Cheval Athletics, Calcagno & Hamilton, Inc., Jackson Hole Emporium, Fess Parker Winery, Kettle One, Aperol/Campari, and Diageo. View the full season schedule by clicking here.