Harry Russell, Bonnie Schley, Jim Colt and Hale Marsh on the sidelines at SBPC in the 1930s

When New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett Jr. imported the Sport of Kings to the United States from England in the 1870’s, he couldn’t have imagined the impact it would have on the entire nation; or that Santa Barbara, a small, relatively obscure community to the rest of the world, would become home to one of the finest polo clubs in the country. With much of the wealth of the day centered on the East Coast, clubs naturally sprung up throughout New York and down the eastern seaboard. Wealthy easterners fled their winters for the more temperate climates of the West Coast, and quickly established clubs in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Los Angeles as well. Following the building of scattered fields throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito in the early 20th century, Long Island native and yeast king Max Fleischmann consolidated the players by building magnificent fields a stone’s throw from the ocean in Carpinteria, making it even more convenient to host post-game parties on his personal yacht.

Vic Graber and Robert Skene press for position

But for all its connotations of wealth and grandeur, polo in Santa Barbara is – above all – a sport about family. From the late Jack Conant, and his sons Mike and Tom, to the late Dr. Billy Linfoot, a renowned horse trainer, veterinarian and player, to his son Corky and brother Buddy Linfoot; they were all professionals who played polo internationally. Today, such commitment is drawn from similar families such as the Walkers and Holdens, who almost single-handedly ensured polo would be protected and played here forever. To them, polo is not merely a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. “In life, many people define themselves by their profession,” says Jake Jacobson, longtime club member and past board president. “But in polo, many people define themselves by their avocation.”
According to Linda Walker, known to many as a historian of Santa Barbara polo, “Once the sport is in your blood, it’s nearly addictive.”

Ted Miller, Eric Pedley, Arthur Perkins and Barleton Burke

Supporting this polo “habit” has meant more than just showing up each season and playing the game, however. For polo playing families like the Holdens and Walkers, the preservation of the club has required tremendous stewardship. Since its founding in 1911, SBPC has seen sponsors come and go with the roaring 20’s, considered a heyday for polo in America, followed by the stagnation of the sport during the Great Depression.
Following the lead of legendary 10-goal player and club manager Robert Skene, many families have jumped in periodically to protect the club and its future, often at great expense. In 1975, Ken Walker, Ambassador Glen Holden and Dr. Norman Ringer purchased the property to spare it from attempts at outside development, then placed it in perpetuity with the State of California- ensuring the future of the sport in Santa Barbara. These men have also been instrumental in the construction, methodical development and continued care of the grounds and clubhouse over the years to create what is revered by many as one of the finest jewels of polo.

Harry East

As the third oldest continuously operating club in the nation, with space for more than 350 horses, an arena for teaching and intercollegiate games, and the “best fields in the entire world”, according to Buddy Linfoot, Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club is poised to enter a new era. Perhaps most crucial is the club’s recognition in recent years that the future of the sport depends on its youth. In addition to classes for beginning adults year-round, the club helps support local college and high school teams, including Westmont College, UCSB and the Thatcher School. Christine Walker, granddaughter of club trustee Ken Walker, joined her family’s legacy by founding the Westmont College women’s team in the fall of 1999 – another coup for the burgeoning youth program. Working with limited financial backing but a lot of enthusiasm, she organized a men’s and women’s team in fall 2000.

Dr. Billy Linfoot on his favorit horse "Caesar" playing for Crescent Jewelers in the 1950s

These students couldn’t have picked a better time to play. Sponsors throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s like Patrick Nesbitt, Robert Fell, Jake Jacobson, Mike Hakan, Geoff Palmer, Andy and Billy Busch, Irvin Abell, Tom Barrack and others have brought tremendous exposure to Santa Barbara polo. It is their determination and love of competition that recruits some of the world’s best players, from such countries as Brazil and Argentina, to play for the summer season.

Many internationally known players, including 10 goalers Memo Gracida, Mike Azzaro, and Adam Snow, will be in residence again this summer during the prestigious 20-goal season that begins in mid-July and continues through August. They will compete in the Robert Skene trophy, the United States Polo Association’s America Cup and the famed Pacific Coast Open Championship. The maximum number of teams is often limited to keep playing conditions at their absolute peak. With the club’s growing popularity, management’s commitment to the renowned playing conditions of the fields, continued refinement of the facility and increased me
mbership, the club hopes to encourage even more participation from the surrounding communities.