Mallets to Mulligans

Polo players traded ponies for putters – and mallets for mulligans – at the 8th Annual Polo Training Center Charity Golf Tournament, held Monday evening under the stars at Glen Annie Golf Club.

Organized by Rhys Williams and Claudia Uretz, the afternoon brought together a wonderfully competitive assortment of polo families, Montecito families, professionals and friends, all swinging for the Polo Training Center Santa Barbara, which supports players of all levels while fostering sportsmanship and the next generation of the game.

The Friedman Family foursome – Geoff Friedman, Leo Metzger, Joey Friedman and Charlie Friedman – brought Montecito bravado, and captured first gross, while Jesse’s Polo Pros, with Jesse Bray, Felipe Vincente, Facundo Obregon and Nachi Viana, claimed second-place net.

Individual bragging rights were equally spirited. Connie Fickel and Jesse “The Body” Duncan landed Closest to the Pin, while Bayne Bossom and Mia Bray proved they could send a golf ball nearly as decisively as a polo ball, taking Longest Drive honors.

By sunset, scorecards gave way to supper as players gathered beneath strings of lights overlooking Glen Annie’s rolling hills. Bottles were presented to the winners, laughter carried across the terrace, and a particularly game foursome appeared in matching black robes topped with caps announcing SLICE, SHANK, RINGER and HOOK – just in case anyone wondered how the day had gone.

After all, polo players know a thing or two about a good swing. On this occasion, they simply left the horses at home.