As I sit here with the last of my sunburn fading, I reminiscence on the South East Championships held in Fort Lauderdale a few weeks ago. What started out as a 10 hour ride to Mobile Alabama with fellow club member Rob, ended another 10 hours later after picking up AB on the way to the tournament. While 20 hours in the car can be...... rough, we had plenty to keep us occupied. When we arrived at the pickup courts at about 9, the lights went off as soon as we got our bikes together. Not a strong start, no pickup for us. We ended up meeting the other Texas players at our hotel at the Red Carpet Inn (excellent cheap hotel by the way) and partied at the Beach House where everyone else was Friday Night.
Saturday began somewhat late we though, as we were all in the PM bracket. Arriving at the courts at Noon we figured the AM bracket would be well underway, but was only just beginning. While warming up with some pickup, I was put on my left shoulder and both wrists hard by a wild lefty. I didnt think it was so bad until I realized I had bruised a sunburn the next day. My playing wasnt affected and Edgar Allen Polo won 3 and tied 1 game, no losses. I took it Mucho Easy Saturday night with a grade A farmer tan from the sleveless cut off shirt I had to be cool and wear before donning my teams sweet sweet Camo jerseys.
Sunday started much more promptly, but as we had done well, my team had a buy first round. We then proceeded to lose our first game against the all Mobile team, because Brittany is a brick house in goal. Huff and puff as I might, only 1 goal was to be had and Mobile put 3 strong ones in on us. In the loser bracket we did quite well, proceeding to win our next 3 I believe until we faced Danny and Florida Bob's (as I will call him) team, the Funk Buddies. They got us 3 to 4 I believe and it was a hard fought battle. Edgar Allen Polo took home 5th overall right behind my fellow All Texas team Get It God Damn.
The awards ceremony was the single most prizes Ive ever seen given out at a polo tournament and everyone got something. I got a sweet Chunk Qualified Polo Shirt, which is rad as all hell. Rob ended up winning a Mario frame and fork for being the crowds Most Sportsmanship guy, and he deserves the frame. A great time was had by all and I for one am glad I spent 40 hours total in a car to come play polo and party with the South East region. See yall soon!
-Bob R
-Bob R
