Oak Brook Hosts 3rd Annual “Team Up for Tony” Charity Benefit

Oak Brook Polo Club will host the third annual “Team Up for Tony” Benefit & Polo Tournament beginning on Friday, September 20thand concluding on Sunday, September 22ndwith the Championship Matches held at the Prince of Wales Field (2606 York Road). The ticketed fundraiser helps to support Oak Brook Polo friend and fellow teammate Tony Sekera, who suffered a devastating fall from his polo pony in June 2017.

This year’s event has expanded to two tournament levels. Four teams have committed to compete for the 8-Goal USPA Master’s Cup. Teams include Oak Brook, G-Squared, Morgan Creekand Passion for Polo.Four to six teams will compete in the USPA Central Circuit Governor’s Cup.

On Friday, September 20thand Saturday, September 21st, preliminary matches will take place at neighboring polo clubs to determine the teams competing in the two championship games on Sunday for the Governor’s Cup at 2:00 p.m. and Master’s Cup at 3:00 p.m. Gates will open to the public at 12:00 PM for entry.

Oak Brook Polo Club in association with the Chicago Polo Association (CPA) is thrilled to announce USPA Prize Money for both tournaments. All tournament entry fees will be matched by the USPA Prize Money program dollar for dollar and donated to the Sekera family to support Tony’s therapy, specialized adaptive equipment, and 24/7 care.

Last year’s event raised over $25,000 and this year’s goal is set at $50,000. While this is the first tournament with prize money in the Midwest, the participating players and teams have all agreed to donate the prize money to Sekera. The donation and prize money goal for each tournament are as follows:

USPA Master’s Cup 8-Goal

Donation Goal: $15,000 (Doubled with USPA Matching Funds)

Teams: Oak Brook, G-Squared, Morgan Creek and Passion for Polo

USPA Governor’s Cup

Donation Goal: $10,000 (Doubled with the USPA Matching Funds)

Teams: 4-6 TBD

“In speaking on behalf of the Oak Brook team and the polo community, we are more than happy to host this special event in Tony’s honor,” explains Jim Drury, patron of Oak Brook Polo. “He has been an integral part of the Chicago polo community for 30 years and we support him in his courageous journey to recovery.”

It’s been over two years, since Sekera’s spinal cord injury. With little to no movement of his limbs, the future is hard to envision, but with years of skilled care and rehab, and many adjustments along the way, Sekera is home and continues to get stronger. He remains positive and goal oriented while his team of physicians, therapists, family and friends continue to cheer him on.

“Tony has a zest for life that inspires those who know and are around him,” adds his daughter, Molly Seago.

Sekera continues extensive therapy and the hard work to regain muscle movement is paying off. One of his greatest accomplishments is the ability to operate the toggle on his power chair by moving his arm. This has given Sekera some hard-earned freedom and independence. He has also learned to guide his caregivers in ways to assist him and therapists remain optimistic that he can continue to make positive progress.

"Tony's passion for polo remains strong,” addsCindy Engdahl Sekera. “He continues to show his positive attitude and determination and we are grateful for the generous support of family and friends who continue to stand by him.”

Gates open at 12:00 p.m. and tailgate parking will be on a first come, first serve basis. General tailgate tickets are $60 per spot or $75 for VIP on the west sideline. Saddle Club tickets are $50 per person, with reserved tables for $350 per table and lounge seating at $450. Onsite field parking is $12 per car. There is no lawn seating this match. Overflow parking is at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel (2301 York Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523) where free shuttles to and from the field will be provided. Tickets can be purchased at www.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095. For interested players or teams, please contact CPA Executive Director, Pam Mudra at pam@chicago-polo.com to register.