this month visits a Lakefield West property located on a cul-de-sac and backing up to a golf course offering space, privacy and more. There are four bedrooms, three baths and a separate laundry room in more than 2,100 square feet. The outdoor space includes a covered patio and an in-ground spa. By Deborah Welky
Walk-In Medical Care And More At Ideal Family Practice
By Ron Bukley
Ideal Family Practice & Walk-In Express Care, which opened last year at the recently constructed Medical Groves Plaza on Southern Blvd., offers a holistic, preventative approach to healthcare.
“We are nurse practitioners, so, generally, we care for anyone kindergarten age and up for primary care, and anybody a year and up for urgent care,” explained Tina Dochniak, DNP, ARNP, who has partnered with Stephanie Wise, ARNP, to operate a clinic that can offer most primary and urgent care services of a doctor’s office, but on a more personal level.
Urgent care services include immediate attention that is often not available at a doctor’s office.
“Say you wake up and you have a sore throat,” Dochniak said. “You don’t have an appointment, so you just walk in. That can be anywhere from wounds and not feeling well to abdominal pain and chest pain.”
Dochniak and Wise are looking to serve families who need primary care, as well as flexibility.
“Kids are sick, you can’t get in to see your primary doctor because they don’t have walk-ins, or there’s a limited amount of walk-in appointments,” Wise said. “We have walk-in from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Wise said. “You can still come in and get your physicals. There’s continuity of care in the sense that when you’re sick, you’re not going to one of the other urgent care centers where they may not know your blood pressure medicine. We’re all on the same system.”
Both Wise and Dochniak grew up and attended local schools, including college.
“We know the area, we know the people, we had a patient base in this area already,” Wise said. “The opportunity arose. We didn’t actually pick this spot; it kind of arose out of a need for a walk-in facility and an overflow-type of thing for the [doctor’s] office next door. We looked at it as a wonderful opportunity, especially to be out here in the western communities.”
Wise, attended the King’s Academy and lived in the Loxahatchee area. Dochniak attended John I. Leonard High School. They both attended Palm Beach State College and Florida Atlantic University, where they received their ARNP degrees, and Dochniak also received her doctorate in nursing.
“Nurse practitioners are trained a little bit differently than physicians,” Dochniak said. “We are trained from an RN level to look at the patient as a holistic person, so we treat not only from a medical model, but also, the goal of nurse practitioning is to keep the patient healthy. It’s a lot of teaching about how to stay healthy.”
Wise said their office is a model of healthcare that Florida is catching up to.
Dochniak noted that nurse practitioners in Florida are more restricted in what they can do than most nurse practitioners nationwide.
“Nurse practitioners in many parts of the U.S. have been in practices on their own for years,” she said. “The movement is coming to Florida.”
In Florida, nurse practitioners work with a collaborative physician who signs a protocol with the state that takes responsibility but doesn’t have to be directly in the day-to-day care of patients.
“I think we have the opportunity to have more time with the patients and get to know them on a more personal basis,” Dochniak said. “The way that healthcare is moving, there’s not a lot of physicians who do primary or family practice anymore, so nurse practitioners are filling that gap.”
Dochniak and Wise have arranged their schedules so one of them is always available when the office is open. “We take care of each other,” Dochniak said. “When one of us is not here, the other one is here.”
Ideal Family Practice & Walk-In Express Care is located at 13475 Southern Blvd., Suite 100, in Loxahatchee Groves, just west of Palms West Hospital. Call (561) 231-5200 or visit www.idealfamilypractice.com for more information.
Re/Max Direct’s Karen Gant: From Hollywood To Wellington
By Matthew Auerbach
Many real estate professionals have an interesting back story that details the road taken to their current profession. You’d be hard-pressed, however, to find a tale more unique than that of Re/Max Direct’s Karen Gant. How many real estate agents do you know who also are lifetime members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences?
“I am a true movie buff,” Gant said. “After receiving a BFA (bachelor’s of fine arts) degree at Hunter College in New York City, I aspired to build a career in entertainment. I moved to Los Angeles and worked my way up to senior level marketing positions at Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox and CBS, creating and producing movie and television advertising campaigns. During that period, I had the honor to be elected into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences as a lifelong member.”
In 1994, Gant met her husband, Richard. A new phase of her life was about to begin.
“We began to think about buying a home together,” Gant said. “Good climate was a priority, and Florida seemed like the answer. I have always had a history with South Florida, where I visited generations of relatives over the years. In 1998, we bought a beautiful home in Boca Raton and quickly adapted to our new lifestyle and friends. Only one thing was missing: a new career to challenge me and provide stability for our new life. An acquaintance suggested real estate, and shortly thereafter, I was on my way to real estate school.”
Gant was also on her way to Wellington. She and Richard moved here in 2003, where she continued to specialize in luxury homes.
“To me, a beautiful home reflects artistry in its architecture and design,” she said. “Initially, I focused on waterfront properties, as well as new construction. Since moving to Wellington, I have concentrated particularly on the community of Versailles, where I have lived and worked for more than 12 years, becoming the number one Realtor in transactions and closings.”
Gant credits the unique makeup of Wellington for making her job easier.
“The comfortable, laid-back charm of Wellington provides a great backdrop for me to work,” she said. “The majesty of the beautiful horses trotting along as cars whiz by is not typical of any area I know. I am impressed by the growth and opportunity of Wellington, although I have had the experience of working all over Palm Beach County and know most of the area quite well.”
Gant has been associated with Re/Max Direct for three years. The relationship has been a successful one for both parties.
“Their focus on new technology exceeds the boundaries of every other brokerage I have been affiliated with,” Gant said. “Since we inhabit a digital world where technology moves faster than warp speed, I feel confident knowing that I have the tools to serve my clients with maximum efficiency. My goal is to ensure that my clients feel that they are well-informed through close communication.”
She takes a clear-eyed view of the future of the housing market.
“The current real estate market is still volatile,” Gant said. “Although certain areas of the country have made a healthy recovery, Florida is still in the process. I see that improving now, and even with a slight increase in interest rates, for every prospective buyer, the American Dream is still fueled by the desire to purchase a home.”
To contact Karen Gant, call (561) 644-3720 or (561) 615-1081, or visit www.karengant.com.
Elbridge Gale’s Khessia Jean-Baptiste Has Created A Unique Mentoring Program
Story by Chris Felker
Photos by Abner Pedraza
Now in her seventh year at Elbridge Gale Elementary School, teacher Khessia Jean-Baptiste is carving out a special space for students who lag behind their peers.
Jean-Baptiste is teaching familiar lessons — ones she had to learn herself as a child — to a select group of these children as part of twin mentorship programs she recently started at the Wellington school.
Growing up in New York, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, she was drawn to education at an early age, learning skills that later would come in handy helping her mother run a home daycare facility.
“My mother always taught smaller kids, and at church, she ran the children’s ministries, so I would always see her in her behavior management style. She was a pretty big influence,” Jean-Baptiste recalled. “And then I realized that I was just good at it.”
She quickly learned that education would be a pathway to success in the United States. “My parents really, really pushed education, and put a lot on me to get it, because they weren’t English speakers,” Jean-Baptiste said.
She arrived in Florida with her family in 2000, when she was 14 year old. She completed her education locally, graduating from Wellington High School and attending Palm Beach Community College (now Palm Beach State College) before earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Florida Atlantic University.
“During my time at FAU, because I was in Wellington, they placed me at Elbridge Gale for my student teaching,” Jean-Baptiste said. “The teachers I worked with, the third-grade staff, we got along really well. They could see that I was really driven and dedicated and wanted to do well, so they recommended that I try to get a job there.”
With support from her future colleagues, Principal Gail Pasterczyk offered Jean-Baptiste a position.
Jean-Baptiste stayed teaching third grade for a while, until she ventured out on a different path. “I started studying for the Exceptional Student Education certification so I could become an ESE teacher,” she said.
After completing the training, she taught half regular classes and half ESE classes until she decided that she wanted to give her full attention to ESE classes.
“My classes are for kids who have learning disabilities or some other exceptionality. Usually it’s the ones who are slower learners, those with emotional behavior disorders or some other health impairment that affects their ability to learn at the same rate or the same content as other students,” she said.
Jean-Baptiste explained that she is drawn to helping those children. “I like trying to find different ways to present things to them so they get it, because when they finally get it, it means so much to them,” she said.
But she came to a realization. “After being exposed to more grade levels, especially fifth grade, after I finished my first year with fifth grade, I felt concerned that some of the students were going on to middle school without having what we call ‘soft skills,’ like self-control and time management,” Jean-Baptiste said. “They didn’t really know how to do a big project from start to finish without having me help them a lot.”
It’s a problem she recalled from her own formative years. “My parents didn’t really teach me time management, and so I struggled with it a lot,” Jean-Baptiste said. “I knew that there were other kids who always just seemed to have their projects turned in on time. As I got older, I realized that I need a planner. I need to set small goals.”
With this idea in mind, she created programs to fill this need. In 2013-14, she instituted the GOLD program for girls, followed this school year by the TAGS program for boys.
“GOLD stands for Goal-Oriented Ladies of Distinction. We had a small group of about 15 girls, and I had about five or six mentors, and everybody at school was extremely receptive to it,” Jean-Baptiste said. “I knew that we’d have to start this for boys as well. So this year, we started the TAGS program, which stands for The Association of Gentlemen Scholars.”
The small group programs cater to girls who are often quiet and don’t advocate for themselves or ask for help, and boys who are often tardy, have disciplinary problems and are under-achieving. They are matched up with mentors from among about a dozen of Jean-Baptiste’s fellow teachers. She also invites outside speakers, all adult professionals, to address to the groups.
“They talk to them about what they do, try to instill in them the importance of education and being motivated and responsibility and having your own drive and not always having people telling you what to do,” Jean-Baptiste said.
The students meet with their mentors a few times a week, just to discuss problems they’re having, situations they’re dealing with and any social or emotional difficulties they’re facing. They’ll often role-play to learn different ways of coping with life’s setbacks.
“I definitely like to focus on the social and emotional learning, because kids are smart. They learn a lot. If we’re not intentionally giving them positive social things to pick up on, they’re going to pick up on the negative,” Jean-Baptiste said.
For girls, the mentoring focuses on esteem-building, goal-setting, learning how to navigate social situations, making more friends and maintaining those friendships, even social etiquette and dining etiquette. For boys, the lesson sets are a bit different: self-control, different ways to solve conflicts, the value of apologizing, being accountable for your behavior, dealing with frustrations and etiquette.
Jean-Baptiste is planning an end-of-year luncheon where the students can invite someone important to them and must RSVP and dress up.
All together, these activities add up to life and attitude training, not just education. And Jean-Baptiste thrives on seeing all the parts come together in her students before they head off to their next phase of education.
“My biggest reward is seeing the kids enjoy learning,” she said. “It is hard to enjoy learning these days. The way the curriculum is changing is great for them; it’s really going to prepare them for college. But some of it is kind of boring. I strive to help them get interested in it. I love to see kids happy in school.”
Signature Dish: Surf & Turf At Jordan’s Steak Bistro
Story and Photos by Julie Unger
Jordan’s Steak Bistro in the Pointe at Wellington Green is a great place to enjoy a delectable steak in a chic, upscale atmosphere. But the menu at this popular Wellington restaurant makes is so much more than a steakhouse, and one way to taste the diversity is through its signature Surf & Turf entrée.
Owner Jordan Naftal explained that the Surf & Turf special is a combination of three of the restaurant’s top menu items.
“It’s a Creekstone all-natural, 10-ounce filet served Oscar style. The filet will be sitting on asparagus. It has jumbo lump crab meat on top, with béarnaise sauce and three stuffed shrimp. They’re large shrimp served with little crab cakes, and a boat of crab mashed potatoes,” Naftal said. “For the crab mashed potatoes, we take jumbo lump crab and add it to the mashed potatoes and top that with lobster cream sauce.”
The crab cakes, a crowd favorite, hail from the original Jordan’s Steakhouse in Maryland, Naftal noted. Chef Dean Batlas created the crab cakes, which became an immediate staple.
“It’s jumbo lump crab with a little bit of imperial sauce and panko. They’re killer. Anyone from Maryland who knows crab cakes loves them,” Naftal said.
The steak filet is all-natural; the jumbo lump crab is a crowd pleaser; and the crab mashed potatoes are a unique sensation. “I’ve never seen that anywhere else,” he said.
The dish was put together with the three ingredients as a special, and it has been a hit ever since — and the meal has quickly become a crowd favorite.
“No one has ever been unhappy with that dish,” Naftal said, explaining that such a phenomenon is extremely rare within the restaurant industry. “That makes it pretty special.”
The menu at Jordan’s ranges from prime steaks and fresh seafood to free-range chicken. There are large and small plates, along with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Wine bottles line one wall, offering plenty of options for the perfect pairing.
“We try to be as current as possible, and people, more and more, want to know, not only with food, but when you’re selling wine, what the climate was,” Naftal said. “They discuss different vintages, locations and grape varietals. With food, they want to know where it is from, if it is fresh, if it is organic, if it is natural. It’s exciting for us, because that is what we do.”
Other favorites at Jordan’s include tuna from Honolulu. It is a sushi-grade tuna that is used for the Tuna Tartare and the Broiled Tuna. The amazing Grilled Caesar, with a romaine heart put right on the broiler, includes an authentic Caesar dressing taught to Naftal by his father. It is drizzled with the dressing, pignoli nuts, local baby heirloom tomatoes and shaved asiago cheese.
The menu also includes Jordan’s USDA Prime Burger, the 18 oz. Prime Jackman Wagyu Ranch Cowboy Steak and Blackened Scottish Salmon. Vegetarian options include the Vegetarian Burger, Quinoa Salad and Vegan Curried Quinoa Stuffed Red Pepper.
If you’re not pairing with wine, try one of the craft cocktails, such as the Basil Martini. To end your meal, Jordan’s offers a variety of homemade desserts, such as the Chocolate Pâté and the Espresso Martini.
Every Friday, Jordan’s offers a free wine tasting event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Learning about various wines and pairings in a relaxed atmosphere is a sweet and savory treat — perfect as a precursor to a great meal to start the weekend right.
The restaurant, Naftal explained, is called a bistro rather than a steakhouse to keep a less formal atmosphere.
“We don’t want people to feel like they have to come in and have a four-course meal every time they come,” he said. “We want them to be able to come four times a week if they want. We have small plates; we have nice salads. They can come here for full meals and have the signature dish we just presented, or they can come in and have a salad and a glass of wine. There’s a lot of flexibility.”
Jordan’s Steak Bistro is located at 10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 170, in the Pointe at Wellington Green. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., and 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are suggested, especially during the winter season. The restaurant offers delivery through Delivery Dudes, as well as catering for special occasions. For more information, call (561) 793-9394 or visit www.jordanssteakbistro.com.
Luxurious Living In This Spacious Versailles Home On A Secluded Cul-De-Sac
This gorgeous Versailles home is situated on nearly half an acre on one of the most desirable cul-de-sacs in Wellington. With a spacious and airy first floor and a sprawling second floor, it features six bedrooms and six baths, marble floors, custom finishes and distinctive crown molding, along with amazing lakeside views and a three-car garage. The first floor offers three distinct living spaces — an office with stunning mahogany built-ins, the master suite with a sitting room and a guest suite on the opposite side of the house. The second floor is home to the remaining four bedrooms. Unique upgrades include security cameras, accordion shutters, impact glass in front and two generators.
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Exterior: A multi-level façade creates an interesting roofline which, when coupled with the home’s beautiful sub-tropical landscaping, offers an exterior view that hints of the luxury within. Old world charm with modern conveniences makes this home the comfortable, livable residence it is.
Entryway: With its Saturnia marble floors and carpeted staircase with decorative insets, this majestic foyer has visitors stopping to take it all in before proceeding through to the rest of the home. The living room features 24-foot ceilings and a cut-stone fireplace with a marble mantel, visible from the breathtaking loft area with its custom-designed wood and wrought-iron railing. French doors lead to the spacious home office.
Kitchen: Plentiful custom cabinets in this chef’s kitchen offer plenty of storage. Top-of-the-line appliances include a stainless steel Wolfe range, a double Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, and a wine cooler. A tumbled marble backsplash unifies the space. Corbels and notched granite take the island from utilitarian to spectacular. The adjoining family room has remote control blinds and a built-in mahogany wall unit.
Balcony Looking Down: This magnificent view from the loft is visible from any upstairs bedroom. Note the soaring height of the gas fireplace and the abundance of sunshine pouring in from the wall of double windows. Raw silk draperies complete the scene.
Second Floor: A unique ceiling element provides added drama to the chandelier in this second floor view. At the end of the hallway, a dramatic built-in wraps around the wall to house a computer station and entertainment center.
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Master Bedroom: The master suite features an adjoining sitting room overlooking the pool and garden, impressive columns, tray ceilings and the restive comfort of another gas fireplace. The accompanying wet bar and fridge allow the owner to relax in front of the entertainment center without having to head to the kitchen.
Master Bath: As regal as the rest of the home, this columned custom bathroom features exotic custom-designed tile in the shower, a porcelain tub with a headrest, and a generous double sink vanity area. A glass-walled walk-in shower completes the space.
Hallway: Exiting the master bath, you traverse a marble hallway with an arched ceiling before reaching the master bedroom. On the way, you pass another vanity and two closets, one on each side of the hall.
Pool Deck: The heated pool with a rock waterfall and separate spa area provides a stunning south-facing view of the lake. A large built-in summer kitchen and another area for lounging means that the patio offers several distinct relaxation areas, while abundant tropical landscaping provides privacy and ambiance.
Rockin Rio’ Will Provide Crucial Support For The United States Equestrian Team
By Rebecca Walton
This summer, the United States will send four teams of athletes to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in hopes of reaching the top of the podium. To achieve this goal, the athletes, horses and support teams must not only train and prepare, but also be away from home for three weeks in a foreign country. With no government support, this goal is made possible only by the help and support of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation.
On Friday, Jan. 22, supporters of the team will gather in Wellington for “Rockin’ Rio,” an Olympic and Paralympic Games benefit event led by Honorary Chairs Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen. Hosted by the USET Foundation, this fundraising event will be one of the main sources of financing for the trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Serving as the benefit chairs for each discipline are: Dressage Chair Elizabeth Juliano and Vice Chairs Akiko Yamazaki and Kimberly Boyer; Eventing Chair Jacqueline B. Mars and Vice Chair Gloria Callen; Para-Dressage Chair Margaret Duprey and Vice Chair Rebecca Reno; and Jumping Chair Elizabeth Johnson and Vice Chairs Robin Parsky and Jeannie Tisbo.
Scialfa, a USET Foundation trustee, and her husband, legendary musician Bruce Springsteen, are the parents of Jessica Springsteen, who has successfully competed at the highest levels of show jumping and represented the United States on winning Nations Cup teams internationally. The family believes strongly in supporting United States athletes in their goal to bring home medals.
“We are proud and excited to help bring awareness and much-needed funds for our team in this Olympic and Paralympic year,” Scialfa said. “We all know how hard our riders train and the many years of experience it takes to reach this pinnacle. ‘Rockin’ Rio’ will be a fabulous and fun party and a wonderful opportunity to honor and celebrate the United States Equestrian Team with an unprecedented night of support.”
In addition to cocktails, dinner and dancing, guests will participate in an exciting live auction. A few of the auction items will include a VIP experience at the Kentucky Derby, a custom animal portrait by Sharon Lynn Campbell and a week on Martha’s Vineyard in Edgartown at one of the island’s most coveted summer homes.
There are enormous costs associated with the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics for American equestrians, including hotels and transportation for the athletes and horses. The budget for the 2016 games is $1.8 million. The money raised during the Jan. 22 event in Wellington will be crucial to the teams’ success in Rio.
The USET delegation traveling to Rio for the United States will include 19 athletes, 19 horses, four veterinarians, two farriers, four physiotherapists, 19 grooms, four coaches and five team managers.
“When you’re heading into an Olympic Games, it’s so important to have a united front not only from your fellow countrymen and other athletes, but also from your federation,” Paralympian Rebecca Hart said. “Having that support and backing and also having the financial support allows us as athletes to focus on our job, which is doing the best ride possible and hopefully bringing home a medal. With the support of the USET Foundation, I think it allows athletes to feel that solidarity going into a major competition.”
Equestrian sport at the global level is becoming more and more competitive, and without the financial support of the USET Foundation and its contributors, the United States could not match up. Having the financial resources allows the sport in the U.S. to remain competitive by increasing the number and intensity of the programs that are necessary to make standing on the podium a reality.
“Events like ‘Rockin’ Rio’ are very important and a key to our success, not only as fundraisers, but to raise interest and enthusiasm, which helps the team bring back medals,” three-time Olympian McLain Ward said.
USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins expects an amazing evening.
“It’s going to be an incredible evening, and we are definitely expecting a sellout. The night will feature a fabulous live auction, a phenomenal band and, of course, Patti and Bruce as our honorary chairs want to help make this event a record-setting fundraiser for our teams.”
Make sure to mark your calendars for this event, which will start at 6 p.m. at Louisburg Farm in Wellington. Guests are invited to wear Brazilian festive attire. For more information, contact Nancy Little at (908) 234-1251 or nlittle@uset.org.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is the nonprofit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation. Learn more at www.uset.org.
‘Lucky 13’ Season At The International Polo Club
The 2016 winter polo season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach thunders in for four months starting in January — and club officials are calling it the “Lucky 13” season in honor of IPC’s 13th year hosting the world’s best high-goal polo action.
But by all accounts, creating 17 weeks of the highest-goal polo played anywhere in the world is hardly due to luck — it takes months of strategic planning and hard work.
Luck certainly may be a factor in delivering an exceptional polo season, but it’s the experience, knowledge and dedicated efforts of a seasoned executive team pulling together that make things happen.
“Certainly, we have been more than fortunate in growing not only the sport of polo in Wellington, but also developing an ever-growing spectator base,” President of Club Operations John Wash said. “It’s really a combination of luck, talent and hard work that will drive the success of the Lucky 13 polo season, as well as creating an environment that will continue to grow the sport.”
Luck or not, no one can argue with the success of the past 12 years at IPC, continually ranked among the world’s top polo facilities. The club hosts four 20-goal tournaments and three 26-goal tournaments over a 17-week period, from January through April every year, with polo played almost every day of the week on one of several fields.
Three of the most prestigious 26-goal U.S. polo tournaments have been awarded to the club by the United States Polo Association: the C.V. Whitney Cup (since 2002), the USPA Gold Cup (since 2007) and the top crown of American polo, U.S. Open Polo Championship (since 2004). IPC attracts the most elite polo players to ever play the game, and seven of the world’s eight 10-goalers will compete in Wellington this season.
Meanwhile, IPC has grown an enthusiastic spectator base that has increased attendance by 185 percent over the past three seasons, attracting local residents and statewide fans, as well as jet-setters and corporate giants from 50 states and more than 33 countries.
IPC is also a year-round private club that has attracted 106 new members over the past three years. They join the other members who enjoy five-star country club amenities with a privileged equestrian twist. Among the IPC’s highly valued amenities are a four-star culinary team that serves creative and inspired menu selections year-round, as well as trendy cocktails made by experienced mixologists serving in the Mallet Grille, the 7th Chukker Club, poolside and at the outdoor, field-side veranda. There’s also an infinity pool with private poolside cabanas, and a children’s playground.
The club also offers a full slate of engaging social options with croquet, bocce, volleyball, water aerobics and fitness boot camps. There is a top-tier tennis program with a full-time, certified USTA professional and instructor, offering a range of clinics, tennis lessons, team training and game matching for members and their guests. IPC has four hydro courts and a grass court, and the Sports House, featuring fashionable tennis apparel and gear. The professionally set up croquet lawn is considered one of the finest in the country.
Also on the grounds is a high-tech workout facility with instruction and classes such as Zumba, Core & More and Power Pilates, plus spinning classes, aqua grooves and one-on-one personal training. There is also a full-service spa and a retail store with the latest polo fashions and equestrian jewelry.
Club members enjoy preferred box seating at Sunday polo matches, plus special events, entertainment and holiday happenings organized by the professional, on-site event team. The clubhouse is also a perfect venue for special events, weddings, birthdays, family gatherings, and entertaining friends and business associates.
The Lucky 13 winter polo season opens Sunday, Jan. 3, and runs for 17 consecutive weeks.
The season begins with the Herbie Pennell Cup on Jan. 3, followed by the Joe Barry Memorial Cup on Jan. 10, 17 and 24. Next up is the Ylvisaker Cup on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, 14 and 21, followed by the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup on Feb. 28 and March 6. The last two tournaments of the season are the prestigious UPSA Gold Cup on March 13, 20 and 27, and the 112th U.S. Open Polo Championship, capping the 2016 season on April 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating that includes elegant grandstand viewing; exciting, new stadium seating; field-side champagne brunch at the Pavilion; and exclusive sponsor boxes.
The International Polo Club’s success in recent years inspires Wash’s future vision for IPC.
“Five years from now, IPC will be the epicenter of polo in the world, eclipsing many of the historical clubs in Europe and South America,” he said. “Our goal is to grow the popularity of the sport along with our club. We will continue to attract the world’s best polo players and teams, while providing the highest standard of spectator experience offered anywhere.”
To learn more about the upcoming polo season, or to secure tickets, call the Polo Hotline at (561) 282-5290. The International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For more info., visit www.internationalpoloclub.com or call (561) 204-5687.
The 2016 polo season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach promises to be better than ever, with record-breaking attendance, exuberant crowds and even more competitive polo teams. In addition, the best seats in the house are now professional, stadium-style seating along the north, south and center sidelines.
The seating was previously tiered, rustic, wooden benches lining the grassy berm alongside the playing field. Now undergoing a major facelift, the benches are being replaced with new, individual stadium seats. Spectators indulging in a quintessential polo outing will enjoy greater comfort with durable, plastic armchairs, each equipped with a cup holder for the ubiquitous bubbly beverage or polo potion.
The enhanced seating is now divided by sections, with north and south seats priced at $30, and center seats at $40. Visit www.internationalpoloclub.com or call the ticket office at (561) 282-5334 to reserve your seats today.
Elite Brands Align With Polo At IPC
The prestigious cache of the International Polo Club Palm Beach has become a coveted brand, attracting luxury sponsors seeking to align with the exclusive lifestyle personified by the elite sport.
Palm Beach is a legendary winter retreat for high-profile corporate giants, jet-setters and scene makers. Combine these signature traits with the passion, performance, sportsmanship and the sophistication of Sunday polo, and you have an unbeatable partnership of titans.
“Luxury brands seek out high-profile sporting events that exemplify their image, reaching target markets that are relevant to their clientele,” said John Wash, IPC’s president of club operations. “IPC embodies tradition, exceptional performance, integrity, and an inspiring sense of style and sport.”
Partners generally seek maximum visibility, impact and exclusivity. Customized sponsorship packages may include tournament underwriting, media exposure, MVP awards, signage, on-site events, a prominent product presence at polo matches or special promotions. Social media has exploded, and savvy brands are also focusing on driving digital activation campaigns and creating a dynamic online presence.
The lineup of sponsorships for 2016 is impressive, with many loyal sponsors returning and new ones coming on board, while many more are still in discussion. Here is what you can expect to see this polo season:
For information, ticketing and sponsorship inquiries, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.
