PTF Junior Polo Championship Games Set For April 17-18 At International Polo Club

WELLINGTON, FL-April 16, 2014---The Jimmer Newman Memorial and George Oliver Memorial Tournaments have attracted some of the top junior players for two days of competition at International Polo Club.The Polo Training Foundation's Junior Polo Championship games features the tenth annual Jimmer Newman Memorial, an 0-6-goal tournament on Thursday, April 17 at 5 p.m.Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Marcos Alberdi, Wes Finlayson) will play Pony Express (Benjamin Daniels, Justin Daniels, Jonny Lavine, Wes Bryan) in the Jimmer Newman Memorial.

Casablanca's Grant Ganzi (1) will play in the Jimmer Newman Memorial on April 17 and the George Oliver Memorial on April 18. Photo by Scott Fisher

On Friday, April 18 at 5 p.m., Alex Photography (Lorenzo Merlotti, Alejandro Gonzalez, Mariano Gracida, Matias Gonzalez) will play Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Lucas Alberdi, Wes Finlayson) in the George Oliver Memorial, a 6-12 goal tournament.The games are four chukkers, single-elimination for juniors ages 21 and under.Jimmer Newman, the son of IPC polo manager Jimmy Newman, was an up-and-coming 2-goal polo player before he passed away on October 8, 2004 in Santa Barbara, Calif. at age 24.

Juancito Bollini of Casablanca will play with Grant Ganzi, Marcos Alberdi and Wes Finlayson. Photo by Scott Fisher

George Oliver, a leading pro polo player from the 1930s to the 1960s, died of pneumonia in his home in Sparta, N.C. He was 83. He started playing polo at 23 and maintained a 9-goal handicap until he was in his 50s. He lived in Delray Beach during his playing days. The Polo Training Foundation is also hosting its annual Polo Party on Friday, April 18 at the Mallet Grille at 7 p.m. The 2014 Junior Award winners will be presented. There will also be dinner, dancing and open bar.This year's six award winners are Alyssa Tranchilla and Mackie Weisz, most improved juniors; Malia Bryan and Jack McLean, sportsmanship award; Michael Bellissimo, most improved youth and Connell Erb, youth sportsmanship award.Tickets are $200 per adult, $100 for juniors and $50 for under-12 children. To RSVP call 1-888-783-7656 or email Floridajrpolo@yahoo.com.Grand Champions Polo Club owner Melissa Ganzi and Polo Training Foundation have been instrumental in the growth of junior and youth polo.Ganzi is secretary-treasurer of the Polo Training Foundation and committee member for the PTF Party. She and her husband Marc have been selfless supporters of the PTF orchestrating the growth and success of the juniors and youth programs across the nation.For game recaps, news, features and photos of Grand Champions Polo Club-related events, go to www.grandchampionspoloclub.org.Game video and live webcasts can also be seen at PoloNow Network at http://www.polonow.tv/.2014 SEASONWEDNESDAY: 110th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Semifinals, Valiente vs. Lechuza Caracas, 1 p.m.; Alegria vs. Crab Orchard; THURSDAY: PTF Jimmer Newman Junior Championship, 5 p.m.; FRIDAY: PTF George Oliver Junior Championship, 5 p.m.; EASTER SUNDAY: U.S. Open final, 3 p.m.GRAND CHAMPIONS AT PALM BEACH POLO 2014 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (HOTLINE 561-373-0073)LAS ACACIAS CUP 5-GOALSATURDAY: Championship final, 10 a.m.; Handicap Final, 11:30 a.m.USPA NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S CUP 8-GOALSATURDAY: FINAL, Grand Champions at PB Polo, Field 2, 3 p.m.GRAND CHAMPIONS 2014 SPRING SCHEDULE (561-644-5050)APRIL 17-19: Grand Champions CupAPRIL 24-27: The USPA Spring ChallengeMAY 1-4: The USPA Sun CupMAY 8-11: The USPA Eastern ChallengeMAY 15-18: The Polo Gear Challenge CupMAY 22-26: The MemorialGRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUBWHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 33414.INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Flight Options. Everyone is welcome to watch high, medium and low goal polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the winter, spring and fall tournament season and other special events including International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, ProKidz Tournaments in the spring and fall, Women's Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.