NEWS

The historic Oak Brook Polo Club (Oak Brook, Illinois) is delighted to unveil its 2023 summer Sunday polo schedule that will take place at the Cecil Smith Polo Field, located just 17 miles from downtown Chicago inside the Village of Oak Brook’s Sports Core.

Last summer, the Oak Brook Polo Club celebrated its 100^th Anniversary. The club capped off its season with a stunning victory in the Butler Cup over Great Britain, a win reminiscent of the memorable 1986 match when the British team, captained by HRH Prince Charles, emerged victorious. The 100^th Anniversary also marked the club’s return to competition on the legendary Cecil Smith Polo Field, home of the U.S. Polo Open Championship from 1954-1978 and other prestigious tournaments. Oak Brook is also one of Chicagoland’s oldest professional sports teams. The Centennial Celebration will continue this year on select Sundays, from Sunday, June 25 – Sunday, September 24 as fans experience adrenaline-fueled matches between some of the sport’s top players from local and neighboring teams as well as international teams.

Located inside the Village of Oak Brook’s Sports Core off of 31^st Street / Oak Brook Road (at 700 Oak Brook Road), the Cecil Smith Polo Field is widely known in the sport of polo as a historic and beautiful space located just 17 miles from downtown Chicago. It was referred to as a “masterpiece” by Oak Brook Polo founder and visionary Paul Butler in a 1962 Sports Illustrated article. It embodies the Village of Oak Brook’s long and storied advocacy for sport and outdoor recreation, while being one of the nation’s best residential, commercial and entertainment destinations.

“Oak Brook Polo is undeniably the best secret of Chicago’s western suburbs and the ‘Churchill Downs’ of polo,” explains Jim Drury, Captain of the Oak Brook Polo Team and President of the Oak Brook Polo Club. “Last summer, we celebrated a monumental milestone and are thrilled to continue this celebration and the Oak Brook Polo tradition. As the club kicks off another 100 years of polo, we look forward to providing our guests with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while watching a thrilling sport with friends and family. We are excited to continue to offer spectators a safe and fun activity. It is our mission to make our matches accessible, affordable and memorable for everyone who attends, and to sustain Oak Brook Polo Club as Chicago’s home for the sport of polo.”

The Oak Brook Polo Club was privatized in 2016 and is led and supported by Drury, whose passion and ongoing commitment to polo has kept the sport alive in Chicagoland for decades. With many iterations over the years, the first season dates back to 1922, when Butler established the Oak Brook Polo Club. He expanded his polo operation to fourteen fields and built the necessary horse stables to accommodate visiting teams and approximately 200 horses. Eventually, Oak Brook became one of the “polo capitals” of the world with the leadership of Butler’s son, famed Broadway producer Michael Butler, and daughter, philanthropist Jorie Butler Kent, acting as the club's stewards throughout the years. The summer polo seasons were not only the stomping ground for celebrities and notables alike for decades, but also the destination for international polo players and enthusiasts. Oak Brook is often referred to as “the town that polo built.”

Oak Brook Polo’s 2023 summer schedule includes the following dates:

Sunday, June 25
Sunday, July 16
Sunday, July 23
Sunday, July 30
Sunday, August 13
Sunday, August 20
Sunday, August 27
Sunday, September 10
Sunday, September 17
Sunday, September 24

Matches, tournaments, and event themes will be announced at a later date.

This season, the Oak Brook Polo Club will also celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Butler, son of Oak Brook Polo founder, Paul Butler, loyal devotee to the world of polo and famed producer of the Broadway musical “Hair”: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. Michael passed away in early November 2022 at the age of 95 – living long enough to celebrate the club’s centennial.

“Polo has come a long way in the 12 years that I have served as Village President,” explains Gopal Lalmalani, Village of Oak Brook President. “Oak Brook Polo Club and Pineoak Partners, LLC have elevated polo in Oak Brook to a level not seen since Paul Butler was at the helm. I am very proud that our community has embraced this prestigious sport and has been given the opportunity to showcase it for the world to see. As I leave public office in May, I look forward to having more time to enjoy the spectacle that is Oak Brook Polo!”

Oak Brook Polo Club tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 1, and will include a variety of ticket options, including lawn/general admission seating, tailgating, VIP Saddle Club, and reserved field-side tables for four to six people. For groups of 20 or more, the club offers small and large private field-side tented areas ideal for large families, corporate outings, birthday parties, and other special events. For sponsorship opportunities and to reserve private party spaces, please visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com or call 847-653-6242. Ticket prices for special events may differ from traditional pricing. Subscribe to the e-bulletin through the website for season updates and announcements or follow Oak Brook Polo Club on Facebook and Instagram.

All photos courtesy of ©Andrew Meier.