If you’re spending the weekend at (or watching) a game, chances are it’s football. But the Greenville Polo Classic on Sunday is bringing something new to the sporting scene – and helping benefit ALS research at the same time.
The Polo Classic, founded a team of people, including Nigel Robertson (who you might recognize from the 5 o’clock news on WYFF4) benefits the ALS Association + Greenville Health System Neuroscience Institute, which provide care and support for ALS + other neurological disorders that didn’t exist in the Upstate before 2012.
Nigel spends his time off the air advocating for people with ALS. In 2011, his father was diagnosed with the often fatal nerve + muscle disorder (sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Soon after, he worked with GHS to develop the Neuroscience Institute + start the Polo Classic as a fundraiser.
Now in its 6th year, the event has raised $430,000+ since 2012 to support South Carolinians in need of neurological care.
The philosophy of the Polo Classic is to turn the pain of a diagnosis into a day of community and charity. Here’s what you need to know about showing up + supporting:
What am I watching? Polo is kind of like lacrosse, except the guys (or gals), are on horses + using mallets to advance the ball downfield, and of course trying to put the ball between the two posts at either end of the field. Remember these numbers:
- Two teams (4v4 but you’ll see two umpires out there as well)
- Six Chukkers (sometimes as many as 8). Each chukker represents a 7-minute period of play (you’ll hear a horn when each chukker ends)
- 300 x 160: The field is typically 300 yards by 160 yards (yes, that’s three football fields long)
- 90 mph: It’s not a slow-paced sport – the ball can reach 90 mph during matches, so get ready to be cheering on the sidelines.
Do we tailgate? Pssshhhh, do we tailgate? Think of this as the creme dela creme of tailgates. We’re talking fancy tents + copious amounts of champagne, wine, and fine cheeses to munch on (pinky out). Bring your:
- Sundress, floppy hat, or country club attire for guys. There’s even a “Hats + Flats Parade” after the first chukker, so trust us when we say you can’t overdress at a polo match.
- Stomping shoes: At halftime, it’s customary that the entire crowd walks out on the field to “stomp the divots”. Wear flats + jump on in – even the Queen of England stomps the divots.
The Polo Classic couldn’t be a better combination of fun + a good cause, making GVL more diverse both in sports and health care. Who knew we needed more polo in the Upstate?
Single tickets can be purchased for $100 or you can snag a 4-pack for $350. Find them here, and we’ll see you at the Historic Hopkins Farm (3717 Fork Shoals Road
Simpsonville, SC 29680) Sunday at noon.
