Every year, the competition at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships grows fiercer, and this year is no exception as the Aspen Valley Polo Club makes its debut at the event. On Saturday, October 24th, Aspen Valley will face off against the reigning champion Clogau Wales Polo Team, led by Team Captain Ricky Cooper, in the tournament’s signature match.
Aspen Valley Polo Club, based out of Colorado, is owned jointly by Melissa and Marc Ganzi, two prominent names in the sport of polo. Aspen Valley Polo Club is well known in polo circles not only for its high quality of play, but also as the organizer of one of the most unique events in the sport, the annual USPA Piaget World Snow Polo Championships, held every December. The USPA Piaget World Snow Polo Championships is the only snow polo tournament in the US.
“With snow polo, we really wanted to try something new and extraordinary,” said Melissa Ganzi, co-owner of Aspen Valley Polo Club. “Since the event’s inception, it’s become very popular because of its unique theme. We’re very excited to continue growing the event in the next few years.”
Not only is the club developing new and exciting events, the Aspen Valley Polo Club also features some of world’s highest ranked polo players. One of the sport’s icons, Nic Roldan, will take the field for Aspen Valley in Scottsdale this October. When Roldan was 15 years old, he competed in, and won the prestigious U.S. Open, becoming the youngest player to ever do so. Since that time, Roldan has competed in every major tournament around the world and is one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors. Did we mention he’s also a GQ model? Ladies, you won’t want to miss the headline match!
Joining Roldan on the field at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships will be Juan Bollini, one of the best-known Argentinean polo players, with over 30 years of playing experience. Also, keep an eye out for Melissa Ganzi herself. Ganzi, who started playing in 2000, plays professionally with and against men and is also team captain of FlexJet, a team based at Wellington, Florida’s Grand Champions Club. Now, that’s what we call girl power!
“The competition this year in Scottsdale will be fierce as Clogau will undoubtedly put up a good fight,” said Ganzi. “Our team has been training diligently and is ready for the competition that awaits us because the
Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships are a great opportunity to showcase our club’s talents.”
The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships is now one of the world’s most popular polo tournaments. Held at WestWorld of Scottsdale, attendance at this year’s event is expected to top 10,000. The event not only features fast paced on-field competition, but is also Arizona’s premier fall social event.
“I’ve been involved in polo for many years and have traveled across the world as a diplomat for this sport,” said Ricky Cooper. “I can honestly say that The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships stands out among them all. The City of Scottsdale has embraced the event as it brings traditional polo competition to a mainstream audience and undoubtedly grows the popularity of the sport.”
