International Polo Club Palm Beach

International Polo Club Palm Beach
Location 3667 120th Avenue South
Wellington, Florida
United States
Coordinates 26°37′41″N 80°14′23″W / 26.62806°N 80.23972°W / 26.62806; -80.23972Coordinates: 26°37′41″N 80°14′23″W / 26.62806°N 80.23972°W / 26.62806; -80.23972
Capacity Main Stadium - 1,640
The Pavilion - 500
Tailgating - 40 spots (480 people)
Field size 300 yards long by 160 yards wide
Acreage 300
Surface Natural Grass
Opened 2002
Website
www.internationalpoloclub.com

The International Polo Club Palm Beach, located in Wellington, Florida, is one of the largest polo clubs in the world. The club includes several natural grass polo fields, two of which are part of stadiums.

History

Once home to humble agricultural lands, Wellington, Florida, has been developed into a world-famous equestrian community. The sport of polo has been a major contributor to the city's development. In 1978, William T. Ylvisaker created polo fields and introduced the mallet and ball game to the city. In the late 1990s, private polo fields owned by Summerfield Johnston, Jr., Mickey Tarnapol, and John B. Goodman were combined to create a platform for high-goal competition. In 2002, John B. Goodman, patron of the Isla Carroll Polo team, took stewardship of these fields and founded the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC). The club then gained the guardianship of the 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup polo tournament. In 2004, IPC set forth on its inaugural season while construction of the clubhouse and stadium were underway. In the following years, more polo fields were added, along with grandstands, private boxes, and other amenities. In 2013, IPC celebrated its 10th anniversary season.

Amenities

The main stadium holds approximately 1,640 spectators, making it the largest structure for viewing polo in the United States. Championship Field is used for Sunday matches during the winter season, and also for USPA junior polo tournaments, summer sports, equestrian-themed weddings, and corporate events.

The club has nine polo fields, an Olympic-size pool, a spa and fitness center, and a tournament-approved croquet lawn and club. It also has two tennis courts and a tennis pavilion, a wine room, and the largest collection of polo books on earth.

The restaurant seats 120 and is named The Mallet Grille after its famous mallet sculpture centerpiece designed by M. Maison, the club’s designer. The club bar is called the 7th Chukker.

The Pavilion is located across from Championship Field and is used for special functions, including Sunday Brunch and Polo, which is a mainstay during the 16-week winter season. The Pavilion seats 500 and has a large commercial kitchen, its own culinary staff separate from the club, and a covered veranda with views of the polo field.

High-goal polo tournaments

Other sporting events

IPC hosts non-polo sporting events, including the Junior District Lacrosse Championship, American Youth Soccer Organization National Games, Ultimate Frisbee Tournaments, the National Field Hockey Championship, and the National Field Hockey Festival, among others.

Past tenants

From 2000-2008, IPC was the home venue for the Palm Beach Pumas, a member of the USL Premier Development League. IPC was a major sponsor of the Pumas.

Management

John A. Wash, CCM[1] has been the President of Club Operations since 2007. He has overseen membership sales, food and beverage offerings/venues, and polo field expansion and upkeep. Projects under his tenure include:

External links

References

  1. "John A. Wash CCM Official Website". Retrieved 2015-09-14.
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