New polo era begins in Elgin

Elgin is home to a women's fastpitch softball team and the city recently helped host a national tournament for team handball, which is an Olympic sport.

Now, it has added another sport that's outside of your usual suspects: polo.

Since July 5, clubs have butted heads and horses at the Kendall Creek Polo Fields at 9N655 Kendall Road at on Elgin's far west side.

The new fields, erected on a farm owned by David Wigdahl, help fill a void after the polo grounds in Oak Brook shut down for this year.

"It's a beautiful setting," said Marcia Johnson, an Elgin resident who lives near the fields and recently watched a match.

"Families are welcome. Admission is free. You get to see some horses in action in a nice setting and the people are real friendly."

Since 1922, polo matches have been held at the Oak Brook Sports Core, a lush area in the heart of this near-west suburban village. But officials pulled the plug because of the sagging economy.

"The current economic turndown has adversely affected our entire community," stated the village's Web site, oak-brook.org. "The Oak Brook Sports Core is no exception. It is with regret that we inform you of the cancellation of the 2009 polo season.

"Various avenues of funding and negotiations with local polo clubs were explored with no success. This is the unfortunate end to an era."

Paul Pisula, the announcer for the Dahlwood Polo club, said the new location works well because a lot of the players and horses are located west of Oak Brook and in the Fox Valley anyway.

He said the Elgin site is a great opportunity for people to tailgate and experience the "Sport of Kings" in a non-pretentious setting.

The season began in July and runs through September on Sunday afternoons. Usually, there are two games played with a live music during intermission. For times, call (847) 762-3857 or e-mail ppisula@HBSchaumburg.com.

Pisula said the names of each club remain the same, but players rotate to ensure a competitive match.

Spectators may bring their own chairs but there also are two small grand stands erected by Wigdahl, who could not be reached for comment.

The last weekend's matches drew about 75 spectators.

Johnson expects that number to grow.

"People are just starting to become aware that they're playing polo out that way," she said. "The footing was exceptional. The fields they play on have been built very well. It's better for the horses. It's more forgiving.'

The Elgin location had drawn positive reviews from spectators from afar.

"It's really a first-class operation," said Ernie Hodge, a Hinsdale resident who went to matches in Elgin twice in July. "If people haven't seen polo, they should do it. It's one of the world's oldest sports. It's exciting. It's fun and it's free."

Hodge said it is a longer drive to get to Elgin than Oak Brook, but worth it.

"Oak Brook polo raised the bar to a higher level. Having said that, I was very impressed with what I saw in Elgin," he said. "(Polo) is full of action. It's moves quickly. It's a dangerous game. You could fall off your horse or get hit by a ball. It's not for the faint of heart."