Friday, June 10, 2011 4:00 AM
Rob Kinnon
Team Lemmus Wins 2011 Copa del Rey Polo Tournament
Team Lemmus Takes Home the 2011 Copa del Rey Polo Tournament!
The 5th Annual Copa del Rey International Polo Tournament was played this year in an exciting multi-day contest at El Rey Polo Club in Puerto Morelos. Set in the middle of the jungle, this world class field brought six teams face-to-face in this highly anticipated
competition. Ranked as a 4-6 goal event this year, the Copa del Rey welcomed players
from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Germany, Switzerland, Cuba,
and of course, Mexico. The teams included defending champions from GQ Magazine as well as teams representing Porsche, Volaris, Lemmus, Now Resorts and Spa, and In Riviera Magazine. Corporate Sponsors for the event also included Palace Resorts, Hotel Me Cancun, Argentinean polo apparel maker Cuatro Tacos and Havana Club.
The 2011Tournament was officially opened with a Mayan blessing and the soulful
call of the conch shell. Dancing, music, and the ritual burning of
sage honored the field, the players and the horses during a traditional ceremony, performed by representatives of the local Maya community. In the 5 years since its inception, the Copa del Rey Polo Tournament has grown into a five day festival of fashion shows and social events mixed with the heart-pounding game of polo, the sport of Kings.
In the end, GQ Magazine was unable to defend the top position and finished 6th overall. Diego Velarde of winning club Lemmus was awarded "Most Valuable Player" of this year's championship meet.The official tournament results are as follows:
1st Lemmus
2nd In Riviera Magazine
3rd Volaris/Palace Resorts
4th Porsche
5th Now Resorts and Spa
6th GQ Magazine
El Rey Polo Club is located on la Ruta de los Cenotes, 6 miles
from the town of Puerto Morelos, 20 minutes south of Cancun, and has the
only regulation polo field (300 yd x 160 yd) in the Mexican Caribbean.
Open year-round, El Rey Polo Club offers lessons for beginning to
advanced players, with training
packages and practice sessions available, as well as a seasoned stable
of horses. The polo field is flanked by a clubhouse with restaurant
and
banquet facilities and an infinity edge pool. The Copa del Rey
tournament was inaugurated in 2007 and since then has
grown into one of the most anticipated social and sporting events in the
country. For more pictures of the event, please visit this online album.
Now in Phase One of development are El Rey's 72
Eco-Residence and Estate lots, each ranging in size up to 2 hectares and all surrounding the existing Polo Club. Phase Two, which is planned launch
later this year, will feature a second regulation polo field with its own clubhouse, 50 smaller Eco-Residence and Estate lots and a full
service spa with overnight bungalows that will be available to guests. For more information about this and other Riviera Maya real estate opportunities, please contact Rob Kinnon at BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors.