HRH Prince Charles’s Wales Polo Team Returns to Oak Brook for Butler International & Prince of Wales Cup
The Centtrip Wales Polo Team (owned by HRH Prince Charles) returns to Oak Brook on Sunday, September 8th at 3:00 p.m. to compete for the prestigious Butler International & Prince of Wales Cup at the Prince of Wales Field. Spectators are invited to don their ‘British best’ as both teams face off in a 9-goal, four chukker, international championship match.
Oak Brook Polo Club has a long history of hosting teams from other countries and is honored to have the Wales team return for its third year. The Butler International & Prince of Wales Cup was inaugurated in 1986 when the England Team, captained by Prince Charles, played against Oak Brook. It was Michael Butler who invited the Prince to play, which turned into a four-day visit to Chicago and Boston. A 4-goal polo player at the time, Prince Charles would play his premier U.S. appearance with a British team at Oak Brook.
“We are thrilled to have the Wales Team return to Oak Brook for a 3rd straight year,” explains Jim Drury. “The old days of Oak Brook Polo are re-emerging and re-establishing the club as a plant for international polo competition.”
Centtrip Wales will be captained by Ricky Cooper (Hcap 0), and includes Pete Webb (Hcap 5), Rupert Lee-Uff (Hcap 0) and Tomas “Toto” Obregon (Hcap 4) on loan from the Oak Brook team. Merrill Lynch Oak Brook is led by team patron and captain Jim Drury and includes Horacio Onetto (Hcap 4), Mariano Gutierrez (Hcap 4) and Chris Vangel (Hcap 1).
“On behalf of Prince Charles, we are thrilled to see this relationship and match re-emerge to become an annual fixture on our team’s calendar,” explains Cooper. “Last year’s visit was a memorable experience and we’re honored to be invited back for a rematch for the coveted Butler International Cup.”
In addition to Sunday’s polo match, the afternoon will be filled with many festivities, including a pre-event LOUIS XIII tasting ($75 per person) beginning at 11:30 AM in the Saddle Club & Polo Lounge. Guests will be welcomed with champagne followed by the ultimate LOUIS XIII experience including history, flavors and aromas of the century-years-old cognac. A limited number of tickets are available.
An on-field rally of 10-20 awarding winning Ford Model T’s from members of the Ford Model T Club of America will be on display for guests to view. In addition, event sponsor Perillo Downers Grove, will be showcasing new Bentley, Rolls Royce and Lamborghini cars.
The match welcomes charity partner, Jackson Chance Foundation (www.jacksonchance.org) which provides families access to the best hospitals, neonatal specialists, surgical abilities and nursing staff that they otherwise may have to turn down because of the high cost of parking. Guests will have the opportunity to donate directly or take part in a series of raffles for luxury prizes.
As with each match, guests can take part in the J Vineyard & Winery halftime “Divot Stomp,” Hinsdale Living’s “Best Hat Contest” or visit Burning Bush Millinery to purchase a headpiece. Tailgaters are welcome to decorate their spot and compete for Heineken’s “Best Tailgate” to be awarded at the end of the polo match.
The national anthem will be sung by 15-year-old Mirabella Logan and the Wales and Great Britain anthems will be performed by bagpiper, Christopher Coomes.
The match, which is part of the International Polo Series, is sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Perillo Downers Grove, Hinsdale Living Magazine, Centtrip, Chicago Luxury Beds, New Castle, Heineken, and The Hyatt House Oak Brook / Chicago. In the last three years, Oak Brook has featured matches with teams from Jamaica, India, Mexico and Great Britain.
2019 marks Oak Brook Polo Club’s 97th season as one of the nation’s oldest polo clubs in operation today and fourth oldest sports property in Chicago. Once considered the “polo capital” of the world Oak Brook was the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.
Oak Brook Polo Club is located at 2606 York Road, seventeen miles from downtown Chicago. A variety of ticket options are available at www.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information, event scheduling, and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095.
