TOURNAMENT FOR A CAUSE
Celebrity polo event raises $240K for Boys & Girls Club
The Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington added more than $240,000 to its coffers recently thanks to a celebrity polo tournament.
The fifth annual Great Futures Celebrity Polo Charity Cup & Brunch on March 11 was held at the Grand Champions Polo Club. Marc and Melissa Ganzi and Olexa Celine were co-chairs. There also were several honorary event chairmen, including polo superstar Nacho Figueras, Argentinian polo star Martin Pepa and U.S. Polo Team captain Nic Roldan.
Boys & Girls Club members watched the polo match, met the players and received autographs.
“The polo match is a great opportunity for club members to learn about sports that are not normally followed in their communities,” said Jaene Miranda, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.
The Grand Champions team — Jeff Desich, Rich Desich, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Nacho Figueras — defeated Sebilion — Charlie Jacobs, Will Jacobs, Nico Pieres, Juan Bollini — 2-1. Desich was named most valuable player. Monarcha, ridden by Novillo Astrada and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was best playing pony.
“It was such a wonderful day with great weather to come out for the benefit of Club kids,” Hirsch said. “I’m thrilled that these polo greats continue to come back year after year because they believe in the mission of this organization.”
After the match, about 200 guests bid on items in a live auction led by Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Auction items included polo in Colorado, a cruise, autographed game-worn jerseys from Figueras and a Sheriff for a Day experience.