The Barbados Polo Club’s 2015 season has opened in fine style. Huge crowds have gathered to watch action-packed games at the Holders Polo Field, while innovative off-field activities and promotions have helped launch the Club’s campaign to broaden the appeal of the game.

 Last Sunday (February 1), one local and two international tour matches were played at the St James ground, where tourists joined local spectators to enjoy the action, while sipping Pimms at the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Bar, and enjoying special dishes prepared by Scott Ames of Scott’s Catering.

 Barbados Polo Club Secretary Stewart Gill said: "Sunday's three matches featuring the Villages team from the USA vs Barbados final, the first of the Battle of the Sexes matches and a closely-fought local match, offered sponsors a perfect platform to showcase their products and reward their valued customers. Having set out this year to broaden the appeal of polo, the Club was very encouraged by the huge turnout. Good food, drinks and fun were enjoyed by all. I’d say the afternoon was a tremendous success.”

 His views were echoed by the co-sponsors of the Digicel/ICBL Villages Tour. Commercial Operations Director of Digicel, Tanya Menzies, said: “Our experience was certainly a pleasing one. The Polo Club were very professional, providing our brand with great visibility and excellent hospitality and for that I’d like to thank them. What is even more exciting for us is that the Digicel-sponsored Barbados team came out victorious.”

 Alex Tasker, Senior Vice President Business Development and Marketing for ICBL added: "ICBL was happy to be a sponsor of the Digicel ICBL polo tournament and were pleased with the level of brand awareness. We were also able to host and entertain our long-standing clients and business partners."

 On Tuesday (February 3), the second game in The Diamonds International Battle of the Sexes at Holders levelled the series, with the Virgin Atlantic Ladies victorious 4-2. Linda Williams and Joshua Archer (for Diamonds International Men) each scored once in the first chukka, while Adam Deane added a second goal for the men in the second. A determined performance from the Ladies saw them surge ahead, however, with two goals from Hazel Jackson and one from Sara Wiseman

 Sunday’s opening match of the Tour had seen the Ladies defeated 5-3. Stephen Williams scored a hat-trick, with two goals in the second chukka and one in the third, while Richard Gooding scored in the first and third. Tiva Gross, Hazel Jackson and Wiseman were the scorers for the Ladies.

 After the third game in the Battle of the Sexes at Apes Hill tomorrow (Thursday), the final will be back at Holders, where the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Bar will again be serving a signature drink, the day’s specialty food station will be run by Cin Cin by the Sea and there will also be a specialty cocktail bar.

 There is also a chance for a keen polo enthusiast to win a dinner for two at Cin Cin by the Sea. Simply go to the Barbados Polo Club’s Facebook page and share an image of whichever team in the Battle of the Sexes you are rooting for.

Barbados Polo Club fixtures:

February 1st, 3rd, 5th & 8th: Diamonds International Bulgari Battle of the Sexes - matches played at Holders, except for Thursday 5th (Apes Hill)

Future fixtures:

March 1st – 8th: Cheshire Tour

March 12th – 22nd: The Barbados Open

 The Barbados Polo Club’s Principal Tour and Season Sponsors for 2015 are Diamonds International, Digicel, ICBL and Virgin Atlantic Airways, supported by Banks Beer, Bulgari, Piper Heidsieck, Platinum Motors, Select Rentals, UNNA Resorts & Residences and Y103.

For further media information: e-mail – clubmanager@barbadospoloclub.com
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