Daily Herald opinion: One era ends; another begins?: In two extraordinary finishes, a storied suburban polo club closes and a local runner makes his mark
Fans of two very different sports this week might have followed with interest news stories of one era ending and, possibly, another beginning.
On Monday, staff writer Dave Oberhelman reported that the Oak Brook Polo Club was “closing its doors under its current leadership,” ending more than 100 years of play in DuPage County. In making that announcement, the club president and its manager hailed the decision as “the end of an era for one of the most storied polo clubs in the United States.”
Admittedly, polo is hardly a sport for the masses.
The “sport of kings” is an expensive pastime and one long associated with upper-class society. In fact, England’s King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, played in Oak Brook for an exhibition match in 1986.
The decision to end operations at the club, founded in 1922 by Paul Butler, was made because club president James Drury is retiring, but expenses were an issue as well. Drury said yearly expenses ran from about $500,000 to $600,000, more than the $300,000 to $400,000 the club brought in.
But while few of us have ever mounted a horse and grabbed a mallet — or, frankly, even attended a polo match — having the club in our backyard was a nice perk for the suburbs. And we are sorry to see a local institution disappear, especially after a century.
We congratulate Drury and his team on a long and impressive run. After a 40-year polo career (and 15 broken ribs), he should enjoy his retirement.
Meanwhile, a second story this week by Oberhelman delivered a new surge of hometown pride to the suburbs: Elburn’s Matt Richtman became the first American in 31 years to win the Los Angeles marathon.
His time Sunday — 2 hours, 7 minutes, 56 seconds — tied for the seventh-fastest all-conditions marathon by an American male.
Yet this was only the second full marathon this 2018 Kaneland High School grad and two-time cross country All-American at Montana State University had run.
Local fans will be curious to see what Richtman, 25, might bring if he runs the Chicago marathon in October and — who knows? — maybe even competes down the road for a spot in the 2028 Olympics.
Kaneland boys track coach Andy Drendel summed up Richtman in two words to Oberhelman this week: “hungry and humble.”
Perhaps it is understandable then that Richtman plays down any talk of returning to L.A. in three years as an Olympian.
“I definitely don’t want to get my hopes up too high,” he said Monday night. “We’re up against a lot of good competitors in the United States. So I’m not taking anything for granted. There’s a lot to learn.”
We wish him well on that journey.
Congrats, Matt. We can’t wait to see you cross the next finish line.