The Oak Brook Polo Club is thrilled to announce its player roster for the 2017 season. Led and supported by team patron and Chicago business leader, Jim Drury, this year’s squad includes returning players Horacio Onetto and Tomas “Toto” Obregon, with newcomer Mariano Gutierrez. See info below:
Horacio Onetto (position #3, handicap-4): second-generation polo player whose career has taken him around the world playing for leagues in Florida, South Carolina, Illinois and Canada. A native of Argentina, he is the son of Horacio Onetto Sr. a former 6-goal professional who played at Oak Brook Polo Club throughout the 1980’s.
Tomas “Toto” Obregon (position #2, handicap-4): from Argentina and a family of polo players who’s been playing the sport since age thirteen. Played for teams in California, Florida, New York, Virginia, Texas, South Carolina, Kentucky and Illinois in addition to many countries such as Canada, France, and Argentina. Participated in multiple 20-goal tournaments. Twin brother Matias also plays professionally in Chicagoland area.
Mariano Gutierrez (position #4, handicap-4) – from Argentina and has five brothers who love the sport of polo. Left law school in Argentina to pursue it professionally and now plays for clubs in Southern California, and Colorado. Internationally he’s competed in France and Canada and lives in Buenos Aries six months out of the year. Mariano played his first professional polo match at Oak Brook.
The Oak Brook Polo team’s summer home schedule features seven polo matches and includes the return of the “Commander's Cup” and “Horses & Horsepower” events, in addition to the “Chicago Polo Cup” which features some of the Midwest’s best teams and players. The “International Polo Series” will feature visiting international teams eyeing to compete for some of Oak Brook Polo’s most prestigious trophies, including the Drake Challenge Cup and International Cup.
“Attendees this season will witness the best polo in all of the Midwest,” explains Drury. “We are thrilled to be fielding such a talented team and raising the competition level. Attendees will witness the excitement and thrill of polo as the best players in the world thunder past at speeds of over 30 mph.”
The team will also be competing in several 8-12 goal competitions and tournaments outside of Oak Brook including matches at Arranmore Farm & Polo Club (Oswego), Morgan Creek (Yorkville), Due West (Chicago), Font Farm (Plano) and other Chicagoland area polo clubs and fields.
2017 marks Oak Brook Polo Club's 95th season as one of the nation's oldest polo clubs in operation today and fourth oldest sports property in Chicago. Once considered the “polo capital” of the world Oak Brook was the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.
“Many past and present professional players got their start here and have gone on to have successful polo careers around the world,” explains Danny O’Leary, Oak Brook Polo Club managing director. Oak Brook Polo is a “must see” sporting event and opportunity to see the game at nearly the highest level.”
Oak Brook Polo Club is located at 2606 York Road), seventeen miles from Chicago’s Loop. A variety of ticket options are available at www.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information, event scheduling, and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095.
About Oak Brook Polo Club
Founded in 1922 by legendary businessman, Paul Butler, the Oak Brook Polo Club is an American Polo treasure and one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States. It was once the sport's epicenter for elite professional polo in the United States and served as home to the U.S. Open Polo Championship for twenty-four straight seasons and other prestigious international and national polo tournaments. For decades, the Club has been a popular Sunday tradition and social scene known for entertaining Hollywood celebrities, dignitaries, royalty and Chicago's distinguished. Today, Oak Brook Polo Club hosts several Sunday matches and continues to attract thousands of fascinated spectators who marvel at the athleticism and majesty of this timeless sport.
2017 Oak Brook Polo Club Season Calendar
June 11th, Season Opener
June 25th, The Commander’s Cup
July 9th, Horses and Horsepower
July 30th, Chicago Polo Championship
August 6th, Drake Challenge Cup
August 20th, Butler Challenge Cup
September 10th, International Cup
"Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly" 
Rabii Benadada
