Peak Polo has Arrived, Plus a Paddle Raise 

Time was that the very venerable Santa Barbara Polo Club fielded 20-goal teams that competed in high-goal season, meaning the total handicap (a high number is better) could not exceed a total 20-goal rating among the four players. That’s what allowed the then-consensus best player in the world Alberto Cambiaso to grace us with his truly grand game several years back. 

Now the limit is 16 goals, seemingly a 20-percent cut back, but the truth is, nearly all of the seven teams competing in Carpinteria this summer actually have players who add up to 17 goals due to a recent rule that allows for a one-goal rating bonus if the team sports an American player. (Hey, America first, right?) Either way, the action has been spectacular this summer, with many close games and several that have been decided in the final minutes, or even in overtime. 

That includes last weekend’s final of the Silver Cup, the penultimate tournament of the season and one of the most prestigious on the polo calendar. 

Now comes the most coveted tourney played in Santa Barbara, the Pacific Coast Open, which gets going this Friday, August 14, and continues through Sunday, August 30. Games are played every Friday at 1 pm (just polo, no commentators, on an outer field) and 4 pm (part of the new happy hour format with a live play-by-play announced, but still casual), and Sundays at 3 pm, when the stands are packed and lots of folks are there to be seen as much as watch polo. 

But the combination of speed and precision on the huge field, which is about 10 times the size of a football gridiron (and that’s just talking about the horses, teams of thoroughbreds who are bred and raised for their ability to play the game) makes the sport spectacular. The players themselves have a lot of wiles, wit and, sometimes, brawn about how they go about their business. But even if you don’t have any idea about the rules that result in fouls – which can be as complicated as calls in the World Cup, even with polo’s version of VAR – a day at the SBPRC is always a blast. 

Visit www.sbpolo.com

Paddle Raise in Montecito 

They’ll be serving up some fun at the 2nd Annual Kenny Loggins “Pickleball in the Danger Zone” tournament, a massive benefit weekend bash that supports local nonprofit Unity Shoppe. The high-energy weekend features competitions in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, with age brackets ranging from ages 15 to over 65, all held over three days from September 11-13. The highlight for observers is the Pro/Celebrity Tournament on Saturday, where top pickleball pros and familiar faces take to the Muni courts for serious play and serious fun. 

The first 300 players to register will receive a JOOLA paddle, while each participant will also receive a gift bag filled with fun and useful items to enhance the experience. Other activities include fresh tacos from The Taco Guy, groovy beats from ubiquitous Santa Barbara DJ Darla Bea, and a vibrant vendor village featuring top pickleball gear, apparel, shoes, sunglasses and more.  

Visit https://tinyurl.com/Unity-Loggins-Pickleball-26