The revitalized R.R. McCormick Cup, presented by Jaguar Land Rover of Hinsdale and Michigan Avenue magazine, was held on Sunday, July 28th between Oak Brook and local rival Morgan Creek. Prior to the match, the Illinois Jaguar Club hosted its 50th Anniversary Concours d’Elegance which featured as many as forty new and vintage award-winning Jaguar vehicles all competing for national standings.
In In 2017, Morgan Creek defeated Oak Brook 9-8 in the finals of the Chicago Polo Open. Led by Dean Kleronomos (Hcap 1), the match-up was immediately considered one of the most competitive. Kleronomos and his team returned in 2018 to be defeated by Oak Brook 11-10 in another heated match. This year’s matchup broke that tie with Oak Brook edging out Morgan Creek 12-9.
Morgan Creek’s Team was comprised of Captain Dean Kleronomos (Hcap 1), Tod Rackley (Hcap 2), Lindor Novillo Corvalan (Hcap 4) and Billy Mudra (Hcap 3). Oak Brook’s team included Captain Jim Drury (Hcap 0), Horacio Onetto (Hcap 4), Tomas Obregon (Hcap 4), and Mariano Gutierrez (Hcap 4).
Opening festivities for the match featured a team parade with two vintage Jaguars that competed in the IJC Concours d’Elegance, two black Jaguar F-Type and Range Rover Evoque. Vehicle passengers included national anthem singers and quartet, The Second Fire, a collective of musicians curated by founder, Beena David with vocalists, Amy Allyssa Johnson, Enrico Bellomo and Matthew Cramer.
Oak Brook’s Drury kicked off the match by welcoming guests followed by player introductions for each team. The traditional ball roll-in was performed by a representative of California Closets and the match was underway. Morgan Creek was given a two-goal handicap and were quick to extend that lead to three with a goal from Corvalan. Onetto would answer back with a goal and put Oak Brook on the board until Morgan Creek’s Mudra ended the chukker with a goal and hold Morgan Creek’s three goal lead 4-1.Subscribe
Before heading into the second chukker, anthem singer Beena David performed the traditional Champagne Sabering presented by J Vineyard & Winery.
Oak Brook made its comeback after repeated penalties from Morgan Creek. Onetto would put up a total of four goals in the second chukker and hold Morgan Creek to one goal made by Kleronomos to tie the match 5-5. In the third chukker, Drury, would score to give Oak Brook a brief lead but Morgan Creek would regain the lead after Kleronomos put up 2 back-to-back goals and end the first half 7-6.
After a fun and entertaining Divot Stomp presented by J Vineyard & Winery, the second half got underway as all three of Oak Brook’s pros, Gutierrez, Obregon and Onetto, each put up a goal, and held Morgan Creek scoreless ending the fourth chukker with two goal lead, 9-7.
In the fifth chukker, Oak Brook would expand that lead to four goals with Gutierrez and Drury each putting up a goal to end it 11-7. T
he Michigan Avenuemagazine “Best Hat Contest” was awarded to Terry Lopez before going into the sixth and final chukker.
Morgan Creek started their comeback by putting up two goals by Corvalan and Mudra to bring the score to 11-9. Onetto, would score one more for Oak Brook and end the match with a final score of 12-9. Oak Brook now leads the rivalry 2-1 until they meet again in 2020.
During the awards ceremony, the Heineken “Best Tailgate” title went to Molly & Chris Sikora. Runner-Up trophies were presented to Morgan Creek by California Closets. Champion trophies were presented to Oak Brook by Peter Murray and Bill Crawley of Bill Jacobs Jaguar Land Rover of Hinsdale. The match’s Casablanca Polo “MVP” went to Tomas “Toto” Obregon, presented by Bob Puetz, CEO of the United States Polo Association. The Casablanca Polo “Best Playing Pony” went to Lilly, owned by Horacio Onetto, presented by “Best Hat” Contest winner, Terry Lopez.
Oak Brook’s next match is the prestigious Drake Challenge Cup, presented by the Drake Oak Brook Hotel, against new local rival G-Squared this Sunday, August 4th at 3:00 PM. The theme is “Horses & Harleys” presented by Wildfire Harley Davidson which will feature new, custom and vintage Harley Davidson bikes from HOG Chapter members through Illinois. Harley and non-Harley owners who are interested in participating in the on-field rally should contact the Oak Brook Polo Club at info@oakbrookpoloclub.com or call (312) 448-4693 for details.
For general information, event scheduling, tickets and parking directions, please visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com or call 630.368.5095.