Oak Brook Polo Club Welcomes Jamaica For “International Polo Series”

For the second straight year, Oak Brook Polo Club is honored to be welcoming back a team from the beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica to play for one of Oak Brook’s oldest and most celebrated trophies,The Drake Challenge Cup. Named after the The Drake Oak Brook Hotel, this beautiful brass trophy has been played for since 1964 by some of the most celebrated polo players in American history during the Club’s glory days.  The match, a part ofthe “International Polo Series,” will take place on Sunday, August 6^th at the Prince of Wales Field (2606 York Road) in Oak Brook, Illinois. 

There is a strong bond between the polo communities in Chicago and Jamaica with a long history of reciprocity dating back to the early 1980’s when Michael Butler first hosted the Jamaican teams at the OakBrook Polo Club. Over the last thirty years the bonds have only strengthened with generations of players coming back to play and enjoy the summers in Chicago.

Jamaica presents a powerhouse team from the Kingston Polo Club captained byMarc Melville (Hcap 2) and players Jose Laritirigoyen (Hcap 5- an Argentine horse breeder and trainer well-known throughout the Caribbean, and Central and South Americas),Charles Chambers (Hcap 1 - played in last year’s International Cup match) andChris Vangel (Hcap 2 – local and honorary Jamaican). The Oak Brook Team, led by Pamela Flanagan (Hcap 0) who is substituting for team patron and captain Jim Drury, will feature Horacio Onetto (Hcap 4), Tomas “Toto” Obregon (Hcap 4) and Mariano Gutierrez(Hcap 4).

The Jamaican themed afternoon will include island rhythms from the Steel Express Duo and modern Jamaican BBQ from Jerk Jamaican Grill.  The match also welcomes “International Polo Series” sponsor Land RoverHinsdale, who will provide shuttles to-and-from The Drake Oak Brook Hotel, the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaica Consulate.

The “International Polo Series” includes matches against India (August 20) and Great Britain (September 10).

2017 marks Oak Brook Polo Club's 95th 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 Brookwas the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.  

Oak Brook Polo Club is located at 2606 York Road), seventeen miles from downtown Chicago.  A variety of ticket options are available atwww.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information, event scheduling, and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095.