July 9th's Prince William's Polo Match in Santa Barbara

By Laura Medina

In a press conference detailing July 9^th’s historical charity polo match with Prince William playing, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club chairman, Ambassador Glen Holden never imaged the hoopla celebrating the club’s hundredth birthday.

Prince Harry & Prince William

In honoring the club’s centennial, he politely and modestly wrote Prince Charles, whom he had played with and against, a letter asking if his sons can play in a polo match celebrating the club’s hundredth birthday.

Ambassador Holden was not aware of Prince William’s and the Duchess of Cambridge’s engagement and their royal wedding. All that residual excitement certainly took him by surprise. He is honored to be hosting the royal’s first American and California trip.

Duke of Cambridge in action on the polo field.

He welcomed the royal and media hoopla in bringing attention to this prestigious club and enthusiasm to the sport of polo, itself, wishing that the Duke of Cambridge can bring awareness of polo, as David Beckham did to soccer in the United States.

He hopes the anticipation of the charity match will inform the general public that the Santa Barbara Polo Club is considered one of the top four polo clubs in the world. Two of the world’s best polo players call this home. That polo is open to anyone who wants to learn and play. During the winter, they operate a polo school. In April, they gradually warm up the season with matches. Then around July to August, they attracted the world class teams to its tournaments, cumulating in the big Pacific Coast Open where the gold and silver Pacific Coast Open Trophy is hoisted and housed in the club house.

Everything has been approved and run by the royal palace. The police will closed side streets for extra security and crowd management.

Ambassador Holden found the palace staff to be accommodating and responsive and surpisingly easy-going. They immediately return his phone calls and emails.

The Duke of Cambridge will play on the Royal Salute team while the opposing team is sponsored by Audi and American Express. Jack Wills supply the jerseys.

The Duke of Cambridge will play on the Royal Salute team while the opposing team is sponsored by Audi and American Express. Jack Wills supply the jerseys.

The Duchess of Cambridge will present this unique Tiffany & Company trophy, created specifically for this event. A sterling silver cup with 18K gold accents with polo pony handles. She will give this to the winning team.

Ambassador Holden lets it be known that this is not a royal and dignitaries-exclusive event. It is a charity match open to the general public; and that there are many common people who do play polo. The tickets are available to purchase on the club’s site, http://www.foundationpolochallenge.com/.
There are two levels of admission. The VIP attendees will lunch on Polo Field 1, across from the club house, on Tiffany table seating. Giada de Laurentiis created the menu for the luncheon, highlighting California produce and cuisine. The attendees have a pick of one of the two options, non-vegetarian and vegetarian. The non-vegetarian offers chicken curry in a pita pockets with cole slaw both dotted with dried cranberries. The vegetarian has avocado sandwich with goat cheese and a pasta salad. Both have lemon-glazed scone and chocolate-chip/cranberry oatmeal cookies as desserts and treats.

As one of the sponsors and the trophy creator, Tiffany decorates the luncheon tables in Tiffany blue linen while white flower bouquets resemble the white bow.

The club attendees will eat the same lunches in boxed meals.

The polo match is essential fundraiser for The American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, supporting children, conservation, sustainable resources, and military and veteran families, and the Polo Training Center of Santa Barbara.

An once in a lifetime, historical event.