Conditions were perfect for the game at the Kauai Polo Club on Sunday. A large crowd watched Global Mortgage establish an early lead and use a combination of good offense and defense to win, 5-3. The Savage Pearls team included
Conditions were perfect for the game at the Kauai Polo Club on Sunday. A large crowd watched Global Mortgage establish an early lead and use a combination of good offense and defense to win, 5-3.
The Savage Pearls team included Kamalu Sheldon, Ryan Tongg, Ronnie Tongg and Duguet Olivier, who substituted for Sheldon in the fourth chukker.
Kamalu is a local resident who has been doing yeoman duty as umpire for the club and was glad for an opportunity to play.
Ronnie Tongg is an internationally famous player who has been coming over regularly from O‘ahu. This Sunday his son Ryan came over to play as he had during last year’s season.
Ryan and his wife, Jenna brought their sons Austin, 2 1/2 years, and Hunter, 3 weeks, to enjoy the festivities. His older brother, Rustan, is also a talented player who visits Kaua‘i often but thought his honeymoon trumped polo. Duguet Olivier is visiting Kaua‘i from Paris, France, and welcomed a chance to ride here in Paradise West.
Husband and wife team Ron and Krista Bonaguidi played for Global Mortgage along with the club’s professional horse trainer, Diego Bayugar. Ron is the club’s president and led his own Hanalei Bay team to win the U.S. Open in 1992. Based on individual handicaps, the teams were pretty well-matched and that showed in a game which was exciting to watch.
Ron Bonaguidi scored the only goal in the first chukker. He was closely guarded by Ronnie Tongg near the goal mouth when he made a beautiful back tailshot.
Early in the second chukker there was a scramble down near the makai goal.
Diego Bayugar managed to put the ball through and increase the Global Mortgage lead to 2-0.
Later Ronnie Tongg broke out, led the pack nearly the length of the field and made his successful shot on goal look easy, putting Savage Pearls on the scoreboard.
In the third chukker Diego Bayugar nursed the ball the length of the field, dogged by Ryan Tongg but was able to make the shot and increase the Global Mortgage lead to 3-1.
He opened the lead to 4-1 early in the fourth, scoring from near midfield with a powerful shot which soared over other players’ heads. Then Ryan Tongg picked up the pace with two blistering drives downfield for back- to-back scores, giving Savage Pearls real hope.
Diego was having none of that and answered with a goal of his own with less than a minute to go.
Global Mortgage held on to that 2-point lead until the final horn.
Next Sunday’s match should be even more exciting, tropical storm Daniel permitting.
The club is hosting the San Diego Team Challenge with Suzanne Figi, Jessie Bray and Graham Bray from San Diego and Mike Conant from Santa Barbara.
Suzanne and Jessie each have 0 handicaps. Graham and Mike are 5 goal players.
The Kauai Polo Club is just mauka of the ‘Anini Beach Park. The gate opens at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and the game starts at 3 p.m. Adults $10; ages 12 to 17, $5; and under 12 free.
If you’re worried about a rainout, call 635-4687 on gameday.
The public is also invited to attend practice sessions beginning at about 4 p.m. on Fridays for free.
