The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
April 27 - May 3, 2012 Page 9
NEWS
Zacara Bests Lechuza Caracas 10-8 To Win U.S. Open Championship Sunday, April 22 was the closing day of the 2012 polo season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, and it proved to be thrilling as Zacara defeated Lechuza Caracas 10-8 in the Nespresso 108th U.S. Open Polo Championship Finals on Piaget Field. The polo grounds were packed with spectators and celebrities, including Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan and Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler. Both helped officiate the coin toss, while young Palm Beach Pops star Olivia Schiappa sang the national anthem. Also spotted mingling among the crowd were former pro athletes Warren Sapp and Dennis Rodman,
as well as America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh. Zacara kicked things off early as team member Facundo Pieres scored the opening goal within the first 30 seconds of play. Minutes later, Lechuza Caracas’ Juan Martin Nero tied it up, followed by a Sapo Caset goal, which put Luchuza Caracas up 2-1 at the end of the first chukker. The two teams continued to battle it out in the second chukker, scoring two goals each. It wasn’t until the third chukker that Zacara pulled ahead with a goal by Mike Azzaro, putting Zacara up 5-4 at the half. Zacara kept the momentum go-
Actor Jeffrey Donovan with Miss America Laura Kaeppeler. IMAGE COURTESY LILA PHOTO
ing, scoring three goals in the fourth. However, Zacara had an unsuccessful fifth chukker as Lechuza Caracas’s defense dominated and picked up a pair of goals from Caset. With one chukker left, Lechuza Caracas was trailing by one goal, 8-7. Zacara’s Magoo Laprida opened the final chukker with a goal, followed by a goal just minutes later by team captain Lyndon Lea. Lechuza Caracas remained scoreless in the sixth, making Zacara the Nespresso 108th U.S. Open Polo Champion for 2012. Caset led all scoring with five goals, while Zacara’s Azzaro was named MVP.
With seven state-of-the-art polo fields, a stunning pavilion and a variety of entertainment, the International Polo Club Palm Beach is the place to be during Wellington’s polo season. For information about the International Polo Club Palm Beach or the 2013 season, visit www. internationalpoloclub.com or check out www.ipcscoreboard. com for up-to-date scores, schedules and rosters. You can also stay tuned to what’s happening at the International Polo Club during the offseason by finding them on Facebook or following them on Twitter @SundayPolo.
MVP Mike Azzaro goes in for a shot on goal.
U.S. Polo Association Chairman Chuck Weaver presents the U.S. Open Championship Cup to Zacara Patron Lyndon Lea.
Juan Martin Nero of Lechuza moves downfield with Magoo LaPrida in pursuit. PHOTOS BY ALAN FABRICANT
OASIS AGENCY HOLDS ITS DREAM MAKEOVER LUNCHEON AT BREAKERS WEST The Oasis Compassion Agency held its seventh annual Dream Makeo ver luncheon Saturday, April 21 at Breakers West Country Club. The theme “Transitions” refers to clients taking the next step to becoming self-sufficient and making a better life for themselves and their families. For more info., visit www.oasiscompassion.org. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Event committee members Liz Cable, Ora Chester, Panama D’Avila and Lisa Anderson.
(L-R) Katie Lee, Elizabeth Fountain and Monica Delgado model some outfits.
Oasis Board Chair Sharon Gill.