In an International Test Match, held at Myopia Polo Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, team USPA defeated Argentina. The match featured some of Team USPA’s most talented athletes, including team captain, Nick Snow (+4), Felipe Viana (+4), Mason Wroe (+4) and Will Tankard (+3). All four players are some of USA’s elite polo players and have been members of Team USPA between 3-5 years. Playing for Team Argentina, was Francisco del Campo (+4), Marcos Onetto (+4), Federico Wulff (+3) and Estani Puch (+2).
The weather felt more like England than New England as the rain timed itself perfectly with the start of the match which had to be delayed an hour. Spectators entertained themselves visiting with the players and horses and the attendance stayed surprisingly strong given the weather conditions and delayed start time. Team USPA erased a one-goal handicap deficit early on and was able to maintain the lead for the duration of the match. Argentina made a push in the second half with a goal by Federico Wulff bringing the game to within one. An early last chukker goal gave Team USPA a two goal cushion which they held onto through the final horn.
“It is rare that our young American players have the opportunity to play in polo above 12 goals in the United States,” said Kris Bowman, Executive Director of the USPA Polo Development, LLC. “We are proud to support a team of Team USPA players to go head to head against Argentina. Myopia Polo Club has welcomed many Team USPA players and has created countless opportunities for American youth players to compete so the location could not be more appropriate.”
The match was Myopia Polo’s highest goal match for nearly a decade and helped benefit the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Fundraiser, a 1960’s “Thomas Crown Affair” – themed event in support of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC).
A special thanks to Nick Snow (Team USPA) and Federico Wulff (Team Argentina) for organizing Sunday’s match and the Harvard Polo Club for providing horses and stabling for visiting players.
Myopia Polo holds the distinction of being the oldest active polo club in America. One of five charter members of the United States Polo Association in 1891, except for two wartime hiatuses, club players have competed on summer Sundays on the original Gibney Field (named after what was Gibney Farm) since the first game in 1887.
