The Best Is Yet To Come In 2019 At The International Polo Club Palm Beach

The International Polo Club Palm Beach welcomes back another elite season of world-class polo beginning Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, and continuing for 17 weeks until Sunday, April 21, 2019. The 2019 season will host teams and spectators from around the world.

Sprawling nearly 250 acres of pristine turf and South Florida landscape, the iconic venue has captivated the attention of polo enthusiasts for decades.

Nestled in the heart of Wellington, IPC offers something for everyone, whether it is viewing and enjoying the atmosphere of a prestigious high-goal match on Sunday, or experiencing and relaxing within the renovated amenities and restaurants, the club becomes the heartbeat of the winter equestrian season.

IPC, acquired by Wellington Equestrian Partners in 2016, has seen a number of additions and improvements throughout the facility in the past three years, attracting more players, patrons and enthusiasts to contest polo’s most competitive North American season. Significant investment into the turf and field maintenance has revolutionized the playing surface, with the club now supporting more games than ever from December through April.

“It’s a very exciting time for our partnership group as we continue to explore new opportunities and possibilities at the International Polo Club,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners. “We’re anticipating an incredibly competitive season this winter, as many of the adjustments that have been made in the off season will positively benefit current and emerging players and teams.”

The season is set to begin with the Herbie Pennell Cup, the annual first tournament of the calendar year, and parlay into a slew of high-goal matches for the ensuing four months.

The introduction of the Gauntlet of Polo has made waves in the polo community, uniting polo’s major forces, the United States Polo Association (USPA), United States Polo Association Global Licensing (USPAGL) and the International Polo Club. The series will highlight the three major tournaments of the season, the coveted C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship, totaling more than $1,000,000 of prize money if a competing team captures victory in all three tournaments, making it the most valuable tournament series in polo history.

Along with the game of polo comes the glitz and glamour of the impressive winter social scene at IPC. The Veuve Clicquot Pavilion and Celebrity Cruises Coco Polo Lounge will return again for another season of social entertainment, featuring an immense and delicious Sunday brunch prior to the start of the iconic 3 p.m. game each week at the venue.

The enjoyable atmosphere, coupled with a perfect field-side view, makes the Veuve Clicquot Pavilion and Celebrity Cruises Coco Polo Lounge two of the most enviable tickets during the winter season. Premier stadium boxes and grandstand seating are also available for purchase throughout the season, as well as field-side tailgating spaces.

Members of the club can experience two spectacular restaurants, the Mallet Grille and 7th Chukker Lounge, as well as utilize a full fitness center, spa and thriving tennis program. The spacious pool and deck are perfect for a lounge day or events, offering an additional amenity for members and their guests.

Weddings, corporate events and sporting tournaments can also be booked and reserved at IPC, making it an ideal location for any special outing or occasion. The picturesque venue offers an extensive list of event spaces and offerings and is open year-round.

In addition to the extensive amenities at the venue, IPC’s management introduced the Polo School in 2018, offering lessons and amateur-friendly games for individuals interested in learning more about playing the sport of polo. Last year, the school welcomed more than 30 students throughout the season, and this year will increase the number of polo ponies and instructors. Lessons are available seven days a week and can be purchased in hourly sessions or in a package plan. In addition to commencement of the Polo School, IPC also launched its first-ever low-goal league, allowing Polo School students and other amateur players in the area the opportunity to compete in a traditional tournament setting.

Gladiator Polo is scheduled to return to the venue in 2019, debuting a new state-of-the-art arena and creating a new buzz in Wellington on Friday evenings. A spectator-friendly and intense version of arena polo, Gladiator Polo will pit eight of the top arena teams against each other over the course of eight weeks, culminating in an exciting final match in April. A traditional Argentine-asado-style buffet will be offered for premium ticket holders, as well as free general admission seating during the matches.

“Our organization is deeply committed to ensuring the future and longevity of polo. We are building a pipeline for future players and providing engaging platforms that will help continue to generate interest in the sport,” Bellissimo said. “We are actively pursuing and presenting field polo and the derivatives of polo that we are introducing to new groups of sponsors and investors, which will help redirect and improve the overall trajectory of the sport.”

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. Visit www.internationalpoloclub.com to learn more.