As the summer temperatures increase, so does the competition on the field at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, as it heads into 16 Goal Season, or High Goal Season, at the Engel & Völkers Polo Stadium.
In addition to the world-class polo players and exhilarating competition on the field during High Goal Season, off the field guests can enjoy Ladies Hat Day, and the Silver Air USPA Pacific Coast Open.
Ladies Hat Day, a tradition of Sunday Polo, returns to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club this summer. The fashionable competition will take place on Sunday, July 21, during the Belmond El Encanto Robert Skene Trophy Final.
Polo fans of all ages are encouraged to don their best hats to enter the contest. No registration is necessary; guests can simply wear a hat and join the festivities after the match for the contest judging and awards. Entry into the contest is complimentary with Sunday Polo ticket purchase.
The 3 p.m. Skene Trophy Memorial final will be between Farmers Merchants Bank Too! and bensoleimani.com.
In semifinal matches played Friday, bensoleimani.com defeated Lucchese, 9-7, and FMB Two beat Sol de Agosto, 11-8. In a consolation match, Klentner Ranch defeaed FMB, 14-12.
The 16-Goal Series kicked off July 14, and continues with the Belmond El Encanto Robert Skene Trophy Final, Sunday, July 21. The remaining 16 Goal Series schedule includes:
Belmond El Encanto Robert Skene Trophy Final, July 21.
Farmers & Merchants Bank, USPA America Cup, July 26-Aug. 11.
Silver Air USPA Pacific Coast Open, Aug. 15-Sept. 1.
The Silver Air USPA Pacific Coast Open 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 weekends.
For the final championship match only, on Sunday, Sept. 1, guests are invited to Tailgate at the club. Guests may bring blankets, chairs and picnics, and enjoy Sunday Polo fieldside. Tailgating is open to the public, and tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, click here.
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will continue Happy Hour, 4-6 p.m. every Friday except during Silver Air Pacific Coast Open tournament, when Happy Hour will be on Thursdays, Aug. 15, 22, and 29.
Guests can buy small bites in addition to signature cocktails, wine and beer while watching Friday Polo. The popular After Party will also continue throughout the summer after Sunday polo matches, where guests can enjoy a no-host bar, music and dancing.
The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club’s 2019 season sponsors include Engel & Völkers, Silver Air, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Belmond El Encanto, Lucchese, Ramsey Asphalt, KOPU Sparkling Water, Folded Hills, Bella Vista Designs, Tara Gray, BlueStar Parking, Santa Barbara Magazine, and the Montecito Journal.
For more about The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and to buy tickets, visit sbpolo.com.
— Jennifer Zacharias for Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.