POLO MANAGER’S REPORT


“WE WILL BECOME THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD AND WILL BE THE ONLY CLUB IN THE WORLD THAT WILL BE ABLE TO HOST A COMPLETE HIGH- GOAL TOURNAMENT ENTIRELY ON ITS OWN FIELDS”


out of action and then the next one. It really is a long-term plan – it will take about five years in total. “Our excellent grounds committee, headed up by Colonel Stuart Cowen and hugely supported by [CEO] Neil Hobday and [Chief Financial Officer] James Neighbour, has worked tirelessly on this project, ensuring at every stage that our players will be inconvenienced as little as is practically possible. “If everything comes together


we will be creating the perfect legacy for our President – a world-class centre of excellence. Although few will be surprised to learn that HRH is keeping a close eye on this project at every stage.” Antony is also upbeat that the grounds


work will not see a hike in entry costs, despite the improved grounds for all levels of polo. “I believe that entry costs will stay in line with what they are now. The grounds work should not only be within budget, but within our current financial capabilities. This work will also save huge sums of money in short-term grounds maintenance. A good example is during


GUARDS POLO CLUB OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2018 77


The Talacrest Young Player of the Year, Tom Brodie, flanked by Neil Hobday and John Collins at The 2017 Polo Awards


the heavy rains of 2015 when we were spending £500 per field per day on divot mix just to keep the fields in play! “Looking at the bigger picture, I think the Club will benefit hugely and we will be able to have more polo. It’s impossible to quantify, but all the polo will be played at Guards Polo Club. People will no longer have to wonder where the games are being played and that can only be good for Mosimann’s and La Martina too. “It will be easier to increase footfall, get more people involved. At the moment you must be a real fan to work out where the high-goal games are happening. If you are a tennis or football fan you know exactly where the games are being played, but the high-goal is played all over the place. It’s necessary as we need to look after our teams – and protect our best grounds from too much usage – but in future all matches will be played here.” There is clearly much to look


forward to, but what of the impending season? “We are


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