Oak Brook Polo Club Hosts Heartland Cup Match

Morgan Creek Polo returns to Oak Brook to defend its title in a 6-chukker match against Oak Brook Polo in the Heartland Cupon Sunday, July 22ndat the Prince of Wales Field (2606 York Road) in Oak Brook, Illinois. Prior to the match, the Illinois Jaguar Club will host the 2018 Concours d’Elegance “Cats & Ponies Soiree” which features new and vintage award-winning Jaguar vehicles.

Last season, Morgan Creek defeated Oak Brook 9-8 in the finals of the Chicago Polo Open. Led by Dean Kleronomos (Hcap-2), the match was considered the most competitive of the 2017 schedule. Kleronomos will return as captain to this all-star team that includes Delmer Walton (Hcap-3), Lindor Novillo Corvalan (Hcap-4) and Chris Vangel (Hcap-2). Oak Brook is led by team patron and captain Jim Drury (Hcap-0) and includes Horacio Onetto (Hcap-4), Tomas “Toto” Obregon (Hcap-4) and Mariano Gutierrez (Hcap-4).

"I’m excited to be bring a team back to Oak Brook,” explains Angelo Kleronomos, Patron and Morgan Creek Polo Founder. “I have fond memories of competing against Jim Drury and his team that go back more than 25 years. Last year’s match was exceptionally thrilling, and I look forward to defending our title against Oak Brook.

Pre-match festivities begin at 12:00 PM with the Illinois Jaguar Concours hosting its “Cat & Ponies Soiree” presented by BNY Mellon. The nationally, sanctioned event will feature over 45 new and vintage Jaguars, who will compete for national point standings in 22 classes with models from 1938 to 2017 in judging. Participants are from throughout the Midwest and winners will be introduced during the match’s opening ceremonies.

“Thanks to Oak Brook Polo for providing a beautiful setting and competitive backdrop, this year’s event will set new attendance records for Jaguar competition in the state of Illinois,” explains Alan Wilson, Concours Chair. “Even our club membership increased as a consequence.”

Land Rover will kick off the afternoon by providing shuttle services to and from the Drake Oak Brook Hotel. During the match, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and contests including Make It Better’s “Best Hat Contest,” Cutwater Spirits “Best Tailgate” and Barrington Saddlery’s Mallet Challenge during the traditional Divot Stomp. Members of both teams will be available for meet and greets and representatives from the Chicago polo community will be on site providing information about polo lessons.

2018 marks Oak Brook Polo Club's 96th season as one of the nation's oldest polo clubs in operation today and fourth oldest sports property in Chicago. Once considered the “polo capital” of the world Oak Brook was thedestination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.

A variety of ticket options are available: $10.00 per person for lawn seating; $45.00 per car for tailgating; $40.00 VIP (includes field-site seating in Saddle Club and champagne during divot stomp); $85.00 Brunch (includes VIP and Saddle Club access); $300 Saddle Club Reserved Tables (seating for up to 8); $300 Saddle Club Box (elevated seating overlooking field for up to 6); $650.00 Private Field Side Tent; $750.00 Saddle Club Skyboxes (for up to 12). All ticket holders will have access to The Drake Oak Brook Hotel bars, and Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse pop-up restaurant.

For general information, tickets, event scheduling, and parking directions, please visitwww.oakbrookpoloclub.com or call 630.368.5095.

About Oak Brook Polo Club

Founded in 1922 by legendary businessman, Paul Butler, the Oak Brook Polo Club is an American Polo treasure and one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States. It was once the sport's epicenter for elite professional polo in the United States and served as home to the U.S. Open Polo Championship for twenty-four straight seasons and other prestigious international and national polo tournaments. For decades, the Club has been a popular Sunday tradition and social scene known for entertaining Hollywood celebrities, dignitaries, royalty and Chicago's distinguished. Today, Oak Brook Polo Club hosts several Sunday matches and continues to attract thousands of fascinated spectators who marvel at the athleticism and majesty of this timeless sport.

About the Illinois Jaguar Club

The Illinois Jaguar Club was formed in the fall of 1999 by combining two Chicago-area Jaguar clubs: the Jaguar Association of Greater Chicago and the Northern Illinois Jaguar Driver’s Club into one club affiliated with, the parent organization, the Jaguar Club of North America (JCNA). The goal of the Illinois club is to provide JCNA with a club membership of jaguar owners and enthusiasts that encompasses Conours d’Elegance enthusiasts and JCNC sanctioned judges, closed course rally drivers, restorers & rebuilders, tinkers, polishes, etc. Currently the Club has a membership of more than 150 Illinois residents from all over the state. These Jaguar Club members own, show and drive a wide variety of jaguar automobiles, encompassing everything from a 1940s SS-100 to the brand-new I-Pace SVU and the F-Type Jag.