Polo
Polo At Great Meadow Announces Record Season
By
Sep 4, 2007, 17:06

The Great Meadow Polo Club (GMPC) announced today that it is having a record breaking season in attendance and new players getting involved. “Twilight polo is seeing its greatest public attendance since it was launched at Great Meadow 13 years ago,” states John Gobin manager of the GMPC. “We’re hosting a growing number of families and young professionals at our Saturday evening matches, nearly 1,200 attend each week.”



Gobin, ranked one of the top ten American polo players in the United States, is the first top level professional polo player to head up a Virginia polo club. “We are really fortunate to be able to attract professional talent like John and believe that he is going to help take polo in the Piedmont to a whole new level,” sates Dr. Phillip A. Karber, club president.



Interest in polo is growing, particularly stadium polo which is much faster paced than grass polo. “While we play both grass and stadium polo at Great Meadow, our Saturday evening matches are in the stadium,” explains Gobin. “The stadium provides a great venue for families and makes for easier evening play and viewing since it’s lighted.”



The event has become extremely professional with half-time entertainment and a mascot, “Polo Bear”, who greets and dances with children in the crowd and hands out t-shirts and trinkets.



GMPC wraps up its season on Saturday, September 15 with a daytime match presenting the United States Polo Association and Polo Museum’s “Hall of Fame Challenge Cup.” Unlike Twilight Polo, which is played in the evening and in the stadium, this 12 goal match will take place during the afternoon on the new world-class field at Great Meadow. Gates open at 2 p.m. and the match begins at 3 p.m.



“We are delighted to host this prestigious event,” says Leslie VanSant, president of the Great Meadow Foundation. “This is an opportunity to watch some of our top local players compete in a charity match to help preserve open space at Great Meadow.” Proceeds benefit the Great Meadow Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to open space preservation. General Admission Car Passes are $20, admitting car and up to six passengers. A Player Side Reserved Parking pass is $75 and a VIP Match Overlook Reserved Parking pass is $100. Both Player Side and VIP Match Overlook allow entry of a car with up to six passengers and provide a reserved space for tailgating. It is suggested to bring a blanket or chair. Picnics are invited, food and beverage service is also available on site. Please leave pets, including dogs, at home.



For ticket information, visit www.GreatMeadow.org or phone 540-253-5000.

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