Elgin polo games ‘a great little suburban secret’

A country road on Elgin’s southwest side leads to a white stone driveway toward the rear of Dahlwood Farm where the view opens into a stunningly flat, evenly mowed field where eight men wielding mallets ride horses while chasing after a small white ball.

Every Sunday, the community is invited to join in the fun of a polo match, weather permitting.

For John Kreiling of Glen Ellyn and his family, the weather this Sunday was just perfect.

Kreiling grew up watching polo with his father in Oak Brook. He then took his kids to watch, and now it’s time for his grandkids to be brought along.

Kreiling walked his 6-year-old granddaughter Carli around the field during halftime, stomping in the divots wherever they showed up. Kreiling said the Sunday match was a great chance to get the family together and a beautiful place for the sport.

“This is a great little suburban secret,” Kreiling said.

David and Cindy Wigdahl have opened their property to the community for the past couple of years — since polo stopped being played in Oak Brook.

Members of the Pro Pool Polo League play throughout the week with tournament finals on Sundays, and they are free to the public.

David Wigdahl said games happen as often as possible, which wasn’t all that often during rainy June. The tournaments start at 3 p.m. Sundays through September at 9N655 Kendall Road in Elgin. Families are invited to join in for the social atmosphere, bring picnic food and enjoy the sport.

Most importantly, Wigdahl said, it’s about a good time.

“You’re supposed to be here to have fun,” Wigdahl said.

“Everybody works too hard not to have fun.”