stu301am08, Nove03beSat, 01 Mar 2008 01:08:03 +0000 11, 2007...08:46p03
USPA, PTF, Use Your Assets!
When I review the action, or lack of action by the USPA and the PTF I can’t help but reflect upon the number of assets that are being ignored by both of these organizations. I’m not speaking diectly of the ample treasuries available to each organization. I am speaking about some of the living legends of the game who are celebrated for their induction into the Hall of Fame, but are quickly retired to a shelf in a closed cabinet, never to be heard from again.
I saw this happen in the past when the likes of George Oliver, Cecil Smith, Chico Barry, Ray Harrington and others were allowed to gather together in a group on the north end of the Retama stadium seats discussing the play of the teams and the ability of the horses to one another. This elite group is now gone, and the polo community has seemingly learned nothing from it.
Today we have alumni like Roy Barry, Tommy Wayman, Bart Evans, Red Armour, Charles Smith, Bobby Beveridge, Allan Scherer, Corky Linfoot, Benny Gutierrez, just to name a few. Each one of them gets older every day, and each one of them has a lifetime of knowledge to pass on. The problem is that nobody is asking.
At one time, the PTF was financing books and litereature to support the advancement of the game. At no time, to my knowledge, did they invest in a program that would have gleaned the knowledge from these luminaries of the game so that it might be passed down.
Rege Ludwig is probably considered one of the top polo instructors in the game, yet it appears that neither the USPA nor the PTF have found it necessary to approach him to organize a national instructional program for them. Corky Linfoot has more knowledge to impart to interested young players, and is more than ready and willing to share it, yet no one in either the PTF nor the USPA has found it beneficial to approach him.
It saddens me to see Tommy Wayman stopping in Wellington for a visit while Bart Evans watches the games from the sidelines. Doesn’t anyone realize that these guys are our reference books?
I continually see the USPA and the PTF turn to someone with the latest new idea while failing to recognize the assets it already has. We seem to retain stale and old leadership, crediting these people with “years of experience” but don’t offer the same acknowledgements to our legends.
Until the USPA and the PTF learn to turn use these assets to their fullest, they will be destined to sit in idle and rev the engine-going nowhere and burning gas.
6 Comments
ndu302am08, Nove03beSun, 02 Mar 2008 03:21:49 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
With all the supposed assets($) that both the USPA and the PTF have why is it that we haven’t taken on the concept of what I call polo training centers(boot camps)? We all know that a very limited # of college players ever become top pros in this country, or even continue to play as a hobby after school. There is however what I believe a sincere interest in these “training facilities” that could offer a host of knowledge to anyone up and coming in the sport, be it man, woman or child. I have proposed this thought in the past and I am glad someone is keeping the thought alive. I myself would have a great interest in being involved but like all the afforementioned individuals have never been approached with any kind of idea along the lines of what we are talking about here. I am truly ashamed that in the 30 years I have been associated with polo in the US that we are at exactly the same point we were back then. US pros are dying on the vine, International competition is at an all time low, and US patrons seem to have little interest in the pros in this country and their well being. I will say again that my hats off to guys like Scott Devon, Hutton Goodman and Will Johnston who have at least tried to put together teams with American pros. They(the patrons) are the only hope we have at this point, they are the only hope we have ever had as far as I’m concerned.
If we did have somewhere young pros could go to increase their knowledge and overall understanding of the game I wonder if that might help us? I don’t claim to have all the answers however I feel the association has the financial capability to mold the future like never before. The question is does anyone who has the power currently have the inclination to try something new that might be beneficial to the next generation?
rdu303am08, Nove03beMon, 03 Mar 2008 05:54:50 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Maybe they dont have a clue, or any ideas. If something was presented to them properly maybe they will think about it and go from there. The money is probably just sitting there, lets try and send them our message. Talk to them personally, hold a meeting, get together. Has that ever happened once this year or last year? I dont think so myself. They have been doing the same things for years, the Avendano for children…etc. But what is the real stepping stone for other kids who want to get better. Like Dale and myself talked about, a polo bootcamp. Im almost positive that high goal pros would have no problem helping out there during the winter polo seasons in Wellington. If we can not rely on them, then we must take some action, and let them know what we are thinking. We are not just talking, but we have concrete ideas that can help shape the polo in America or even just in Wellington. Right now, Wellington is the epicenter of polo, and is the right place to base a field, stabling, and offer teaching from the top players.
thu304am08, Nove03beTue, 04 Mar 2008 08:20:47 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
The Bootcamp idea is what is needed. I was asked to coach the Polo Gear team for the George Oliver Cup last weekend and I watched as these young pros on both teams played better and better as the game went on. These 4, 5, and 6 goal players took advantage of the time by asking questions and taking advice. I saw raw talent, that if ithad the chance of going to a bootcamp, would become 7-8 goal players. The idea of a resource where these young players could go practice, talk and take advice from players who’ve already been there would be the best money spent for the future of NA polo. I would give my time to help these kids get a leg up.
thu304am08, Nove03beTue, 04 Mar 2008 08:46:56 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
Gentlemen, the idea of a “boot camp” is a good one. In fact, I spoke with Joe Barry about a similar plan that would employ the services of a group of “over-the-hill” players like Tommy Wayman, Bart Evans, Roy Barry, Corky Linfoot and the like. Joe’s idea was to split the teams up with and “old pro” and a young pro, and two patrons.
The “old pros” would not only coach the young pros in playing and strategy, but they would also coach them in how to behave as a pro. This way we would take advantage of some of America’s most valuable assets while improving the talents of our younger players. Good idea from an old pro. Thanks Joe.
thu305am08, Nove03beWed, 05 Mar 2008 04:51:57 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
I agree. A Polo Academy is a winner for the advancement of our sport. Funding is always the barrier. However, I don’t think either association is willing to do what is needed without a ground swell of support. Privately done is another matter. Perhaps it could work financially with tuition and donations. If either of these bodies neglect the needs of their donors, money can be redirected accordingly.
thu305am08, Nove03beWed, 05 Mar 2008 05:39:18 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
“A Polo Academy is a winner for the advancement of our sport”, Your words, not mine (although I agree). Now where is the leadership that is capable of making the decision to allocate the funds? You talk about private funding, but who is going to invest in a program for a bunch of people to learn how to play polo or to improve their game if the sport’s own association opts not to? Where is this strategic plan that the association invested so much time and money in? Does anyone have a clue? Is there any clear cut plan? Our membership is at best stagnant, our aspiring pros are being shut out of our own tournaments, the umpire program is not going well, and no one is taking any action.
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