NETJETS PACIFIC COAST OPEN
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Standing at a striking height of five feet, the glorious silver and gold trophy for the Pacific Coast Open is a dazzling sight. Crowned with an eagle supporting a globe and adorned with semiprecious stones, the trophy is mounted on a redwood base, featuring side panels depicting lively polo scenes. Initially titled the All American Polo Trophy, the cup was commissioned in 1908 by friends and members of the Coronado Country Club in Southern California.
Throughout the late 1920s until the early 1940s, the tournament was hosted by numerous clubs throughout California. After World War II, the Pacific Coast Open moved to the posh and glamorous Beverly Hills Polo Club until 1952, when it took residency at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (SBPRC) where it remains today.
California 9-goaler Eric Pedley holds the record for the most Pacific Coast Open wins amassing 12 titles, followed by Cecil Smith with seven victories and Guillermo "Memo" Gracida earning five victories, spanning three decades.
Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame inductees to raise the trophy include Elmer Boeseke Jr., Hector Galindo, Carlos Gracida Sr., Guillermo "Memo" Gracida, Thomas Hitchcock Jr., William R. Linfoot, Devereux Milburn, John "Jack" Oxley, Robert Skene, Charles Smith, Adam Snow, Tommy Wayman and Jeff Hall, among others.
In contemporary history, the competition has been led by Klentner Ranch, earning the prestigious title in 2018, 2020 and 2021, when the team capped off a spectacular undefeated high-goal season. Following the recent success of Klentner Ranch, the prestigious title has switched hands twice beginning with L.I.N.Y. (2022), followed by Brookshire (2023).
In 2023, Brookshire (Tomas Panelo, Mariano "Peke" Gonzalez Jr., Paco "Paquito" de Narvaez Jr., Scott Wood) and Farmers & Merchants Bank's (David "Pelon" Stirling, Lucas "Luckitas" Criado Jr., Will Busch, Alonso Andrade Gamez) congregated against the stunning backdrop of the Carpinteria Foothills. An intense, physical contest, Brookshire returned from halftime with an organized approach, ultimately winning 14-8. Read article here.
The NetJets Pacific Coast Open will feature all six teams currently competing in the Santa Barbara summer high-goal season. Newly crowned Whittier Trust Silver Cup champions Klentner Ranch will set the pace alongside America Cup victors Antelope, Bentley Estates (formerly 90210), La Karina and Mokarow Farms.
Highlighting the depth and skill of American talent, six members of Team USPA will represent five teams including Active Members Lucas Escobar (Antelope) and Kristos "Keko" Magrini (Carbenella Polo), alongside alumni Geronimo Obregon (Bentley Estates), Santiago Torres (La Karina), and Jake Klentner and Jesse Bray (Klentner Ranch).
U.S. Polo Assn. will serve as the Stadium Sponsor and Official Apparel Brand for the 2024 NetJets Pacific Coast Open. U.S. Polo Assn. will be featured in multiple ways including stadium branding and apparel throughout the tournament.
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will be taking advantage of the USPA's Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG) for the NetJets Pacific Coast Open, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs three USPA Professional Umpires (two mounted officials and one third man) at 50% of the regular cost to the club.
The Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG) has been created to support polo between 12 and 16 goals. The goal of the program is to build a bridge from low-goal polo to high-goal polo that provides a safe environment for competition which will allow for the cultivation of team owners and the advancement of aspiring professionals.
2023 NetJets Pacific Coast Open Champions: Brookshire - Mariano "Peke" Gonzalez Jr., Paco "Paquito" de Narvaez Jr., Scott Wood, Tomas Panelo. ©David Lominska
