American 10-Goalers Azzaro, Snow Face-Off In C.V. Whitney Cup
March 19, 2004

WELLINGTON, Florida - Mike Azzaro and Adam Snow, the only two American 10-goalers, will be on opposite sides when Catamount plays Bendabout in the championship match of the 26th annual C.V. Whitney Cup polo tournament Sunday at 3 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Catamount (5-0) reached the final with a 10-6 victory over Everglades in the semifinals while Bendabout (3-1) advanced to the final by virtue of an 11-7 semifinal win over Lechuza.

The teams also met in the first high-goal final of the season, with Catamount winning 13-10 in the Joe Barry Memorial in late January. This is Bendabout’s third final - it also reached the 22-goal Hall of Fame Cup, losing to ERG.

Azzaro is joined by 9-goaler Carlos Gracida, 4-goaler Pelon Escapite and patron Scott Devon, a 3-goaler. Snow is joined by fellow 10-goaler, Miguel Novillo Astrada, 5-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada and patron Gillian Johnston, a 1-goaler.

Azzaro is the tournament’s leading scorer with 29 goals in five games, including a single-game high of 10 goals. Gracida and Snow are tied for second with 22 goals with Sebastian Merlos of Lechuza. Snow and Merlos accomplished the feat in four games, Gracida in five. Miguel Novillo Astrada is second on Bendabout with 13 goals in four games.

The team’s patrons will be a key factor in the outcome as they both play the crucial No. 1 position and are counted on for offense. Johnston, who has scored four goals in four games, is the only female in the tournament. Devon, Catamount’s patron who is coming back from a broken finger that kept him out for almost a month, has scored seven goals in four games.

Catamount has outscored its opponents 64-39 in the five games while Bendabout has outscored its opponents 41-37 in four games.

The polo matches are open to the public. Tickets for the games at the International Polo Club Palm Beach range from $10 for general admission to $60 for a tailgate spot and are available in advance by calling (561) 204-5687 or by visiting the club’s website at www.internationalpoloclub.com. Tickets are also available at the gate on the day of the game.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. From I-95, take the Forest Hill Boulevard exit and go west approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto South Shore Boulevard and go two miles. Turn left onto Pierson Road, travel about one mile and then make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the right. From Florida’s Turnpike, take Exit 93 (Lake Worth Road) and go west about six miles. Make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the left.