LISLE NIXON MEMORIAL
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Established in 1978, the Lisle Nixon Memorial tournament is held to honor former Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (SBPRC) Manager Lisle Nixon. A three-goaler hailing from Butte, Montana, Nixon was renowned for his ability to organize and manage numerous clubs including, Eldorado in California, and Midland and Willowbend in Texas. In 1956, the Palm Springs Polo Association appointed Nixon tournament and match director, where he was able to schedule the Pacific Coast Championship at California's Rancho Mirage. Hired in 1976 as manager of SBPRC, Nixon balanced his management and polo career until his passing in 1977.
The Lisle Nixon Memorial is part of the 2022 USPA Legacy Series, which stemmed from an idea to rename and restructure the 10- to 14-goal USPA Regional Classics. Developing the series to increase the demand for medium-goal tournaments and enhance a stronger brand value, the Legacy Series recognizes memorial tournaments from individual clubs tying the rich history of the sport with a prestigious series that unites clubs around the country.
Last played as a USPA tournament in 2017, U.S. Polo Assn. (Matt Walker, Luis Escobar, Patrick Uretz, Nico Escobar) utilized an impressive mix of youth, talent and experience to defeat Antelope (Santiago Trotz, Felipe “Pipe” Vercellino, Jim Wright, Geoff Palmer) 17-10.
Returning to SBPRC (Carpinteria, California), this year's edition will be played at the 14-goal level and will feature a deep field of eight impressive teams including Antelope, Los Padres/Citi, Mokarow Farms, Dundas, Dundas II, Famers & Merchant Bank (FMB), FMB Too!/Folded Hills and Klentner Ranch.
2017 champion Matt Walker will seek a second title with Farmers & Merchant Bank, as finalists Santiago Trotz and Jim Wright return with Antelope. Following a successful start to the 2022 Santa Barbara season, Prince Harry and Los Padres look to continue their winning momentum in the Lisle Nixon Memorial.
Amongst the competition is Active Team USPA member Kristos "Keko" Magrini and Team USPA alumni Geronimo Obregon (Dundas), Jesse Bray (Klentner Ranch) and Jake Klentner (Klentner Ranch).
2017 Summerland Winery Lisle Nixon Memorial Champions: U.S. Polo Assn. - Matt Walker, Luis Escobar, Patrick Uretz, Nico Escobar. ©David Lominska
