Black Tie Brilliance

“It’s your club, not theirs, not anybody else’s, not the billionaire next door. It’s our club,” Henry Walker told the tuxedoed crowd at Birnam Wood Golf Club, setting the tone for the black-tie Pacific Coast Open Ball, celebrating the patrons who make Santa Barbara’s high-goal polo season possible.

The room was dressed nearly as smartly as its guests: black linens, white calla lilies, candlelight and sparkling chandeliers, with the towering Pacific Coast Open silver trophy presiding over the festivities. Honored were this season’s patrons and teams: Lee Evans Lee of Mrs. Momma Bear, Sy Zahedi of Zahedi Chogan, Justin Klentner of Klentner Ranch, Brian Boyd of La Karina and Ivan Weiss of Delta Defence, along with new patrons Kyle Ashton and Carter Thicke.

Walker also looked back to the men who secured the club’s future – his father, Ken Walker, Ambassador Glen Holden and Dr. Norman Ringer. “They never made one dime of profit,” Walker reminded the room, crediting their vision with creating the club which generations of families now call their own.

Curtis Skene then presented the Robert Skene MVP Award, named for his father, legendary 10-goaler “Hurricane Bob” Skene, to Nachi Viana. Pipe Vercellino received the season’s Best String honor.

Among the dashing black-tie brigade were Chuck and Margarita Lande, Lee Evans Lee and Royer Culp, Pat and Ursula Nesbitt, Chris and Mindy Denson, Wes Ru and Victoria Firestone Ru, Jennifer and Bob McMurtry, Danielle Travis, Gail Kvistad, Jeep Holden and Nancy Schaak, Janet Ray, Dana Hansen, Cory and Rhys Williams, Madison Richardson, Luis and Georgette Escobar, Nico and Lucas Escobar, Patrick Uretz, Monica Finley, Melanja Jones and David Sigman.

After filet, shrimp and asparagus, the evening ended where it began – with gratitude for the patrons, players and families who keep Santa Barbara polo galloping forward.

Black tie, big silver and plenty of horsepower.