POLO IN AMERICA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 887, 3 February 1930, Page 7

POLO IN AMERICA

TWICE AS MANY CLUBS AS IN BRITAIN PUBLICITY AND PRIVACY Proof of the increasing popularity ef polo in the United States is afforded by the fact that now there are not only about twice as many players a.s there are in this country*, but also double the number of clubs, says an English writer. In 1914 there were 45 clubs affiliated to the United States Polo Association, and now there are well over 80. Moreover, the game attracts large crowds of spectators, which shows that it is much more popular with the American public than it is in England. The chief reason for this is the fact that the three London clubs, which, after all, constitute the mainstay of the game in England, are private clubs. It is true that Hurlingham nowadays permits the general public to watch the polo there on Saturdays during the London season, but the accommodation provided is rarely filled. Xo real effort has ever been made ‘to popularise the game as far as London is concerned, and, indeed, it is difficult to see hew this could be done with the very limited space available for the use of Hurlingham, Ranelagh and Roehampton. There are not enough grounds at these clubs, and the grounds they ! have are too cramped. It may be that | the polo authorities in this country are not anxious to attract the public .but the fact remains that polo is in a much , healthier condition in America, than it is over here. A FASTER GAME There are only tw*o grounds at j Hurlingham. the headquarters of Etg- ! lish polo, but at Meadow Brook, the principal club in the United States, there are nine. Further, the lay-out of their grounds is more spacious than that of ours. For example, there is much more room between the boards and the spectators, which means that ponies do not have to be checked when approaching the boards. This makes the game much faster, and. therefore, more attractive to watch in America than over here. The main ground at Meadow Brook has two covered stands, each running the whole length of the ground and each capable of holding 20.000 spectators. The queue of motorcars outside Meadow Brook before an important match often extends for at least half a mile. But it is a sad fact i that any traffic congestion at Putney Bridge on Saturday during the Lon- ■ don season is not due to enthusiasm I over the game of polo. It is admittedly difficult to see how j the game is to be popularised over here, iat the present time, under existing 1 conditions, but the fact remains that something must be done to induce the [ public to realise that polo is not merely j a game in which the wealthy can par- ! ticipate, but one in which the man in the street can take as much interest as he does in cricket or in association I football. Ard the sprier a scheme to • this effect is evolved the sooner we shall be in a position to challenge America for the Westchester Cup on an equality. Not that we shall not regain the cup next year, but we want to keep it in years to come as well*