Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County hosted its 8th Annual ‘Great Futures Celebrity Polo Charity Cup & Brunch’ on Sunday, March 14 raising over $180,000 to benefit Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. Neil S. Hirsch, Marc and Melissa Ganzi and Olexa Celine led the charge as co-chairmen for the fundraising event once again.
“Neil S. Hirsch has set a great example for our polo community by giving back to those who need us most here in Wellington, which are our children,” said Event Co-Chair Melissa Ganzi. “The Great Futures Polo match is making an impact on the Club members, their families and our community.”
Grand Champions Polo Club was the host of the morning’s celebrity polo match, for the eighth consecutive year featuring honorary event chairmen, Nacho Figueras, Polo’s international ambassador and Nic Roldan, captain of the U.S. Polo Team. Among others who participated in the three-team, round robin tournament was Nacho Novillo Astrada.
Team Sebilion featuring Nic Roldan took home the title as Great Futures Polo Day Champions, winning the overall competition. Silver Novilla Astrada was named the MVP at just 8 years old and Rebecca, owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm was crowned as Best Playing Pony.
The celebrity polo match was followed by a brunch at the new Grand Champions Pavilion. Guests gathered following important CDC guidelines to participate in a dynamic live auction that featured Sheriff for a Day, Polo in Aspen, and the most sought after item of the day, Nacho Figueras’ autographed game-worn jerseys and lessons.
Palm Beach County Youth of the Year Anajiah Graham shared her Club exerience with the audience in an impressively eloquent, yet thought provoking speech. A once shy Club member had the guests charged to get involved. After brunch, guests enjoyed the 4:00 p.m. polo match.
This year’s sponsors included Olexa Celine of Sebilion Farm, Joe and Diana DiMenna of the Equuleus Polo Team, Marc & Melissa Ganzi of the Grand Champions Polo Club, Neil S. Hirsch, Polo Gear, Gehring Insurance, Ernst & Young, Desich Family, Alonso & Associates, Zanelli Family Foundation, BMO Wealth Management, Waste Management, Stella Art Conservation, Michael Kors, HIVE Boutique and Martini & Rossi.
