A Chukk’ing Good Time

Social gridlock reigned at the Santa Barbara Polo Club when it hosted the 114-year-old NetJets Pacific Coast Open with more than 3,000 spectators watching the hotly contested match, with both teams attempting to gain a hat trick.

Farmers & Merchants Bank, which won the trophy in 2017 and 2019 under captain Dan Walker, was up against Texan tycoon Scott Wood, whose ERG – Energy Resources Group – team was victorious for two consecutive years in 2013 and 2014.

The Houston-based magnate was back again with his renamed team Brookshire, named after a small community outside the city, battling FMB captained by Will Busch, son of beer scion Andy Busch.

Play was pretty even for the first three chukkers, with Brookshire leading 6-3. After halftime, the Texan team pulled in front 10-6, with the final chukker ending 14-8.

“The third time’s the charm,” says Wood. “It was a great day for everybody, and we’ll be back next year going for four. Who knows?”

Scott and his team of Peke Gonzalez, Paco de Narvaez Jr., and Tomas Panelo then received one of the largest trophies in sport, the magnificent five-feet-tall gold and silver PCO trophy, which is kept at the club during the rest of the year.