by Danny Scheraga
We lost “Papa” Joe Bishop Friday March 20, 2009. Joe was a great supporter of polo, with a deep commitment to umpiring and umpire training. He was also a close personal friend. In my polo career three men have been mentors and colleagues, who as volunteers have put in an effort far and above the call of duty to further the future of polo. The first two Dan Colhoun and George Alexander, I met as a very young man and they helped shape my career and I still turn to them for advice. Joe, I met later on but he quickly proved that his dedication to improving the sport and willingness to invest the time to do so was unsurpassable. Joe was tenacious and would stick with causes he believed in until he accomplished his goal. He developed a model for umpire training that is the most comprehensive training program to date that the PTF and USPA have jointly sponsored.
Two bouts with cancer kept Joe from playing polo, but he wanted to stay involved so he turned his passion toward umpiring. Joe attacked learning to umpire with a vengeance that, I would later learn, he did with everything he set his mind to do. I first heard of Joe when Dan Healy told me that a guy had hired him to travel for a month around Texas to umpire and teach this fellow to umpire. Years later I learned this fellow was Joe Bishop. After I knew Joe, I saw him repeat this effort with the top umpires including Bobby Barry and Tom Hughes.
I first met Joe at the Las Vegas Polo Expo in 2000. We had a brief encounter there and he told me he was interested in umpiring and in helping to develop training programs for umpires. Joe began to call me with ideas for developing umpire training. About that time we were kicking off the campaign to endow the Head Umpire Instructor position that is currently held by Steve Lane. The Oxley Foundation had issued a challenge grant that when matched would raise $1 million to fund this position. Joe immediately got on board and became a working Chairman to help organize the campaign. Joe’s efforts were largely responsible for the PTF meeting its goal of funding this position in three years.
Joe developed a model for umpire training in Texas that we hope to duplicate around the country. Steve Lane has run this program three times now. Qualified umpire candidates from all around the Southwest come to a central location for classroom work and on field umpire experience. Match games or a tournament is organized at the level umpires are trying to be certified. Games are videotaped and reviewed. Successful candidates are certified at the level of game that they umpire. These clinics have been excellent with many umpires being certified or if already certified having their certification renewed. Joe then took the program one step further. He identified some of the better candidates, lined up the financing and had those candidates apprentice with some of the top umpires in places such at Houston, and Santa Fe. In two cases of apprenticeship the umpires were then brought into the professional umpire program in Florida.
It was this type of work that inspired the PTF to award Joe the Volunteer of the Year award in 2006. Joe was a good friend to many of the pros around Dallas who worked hard at their umpiring. He had a lot of respect for their dedication to calling the game correctly. They are the ones who called him “Papa” Joe. When I first heard it, I thought boy does that fit and from then on I always greeted him as Papa Joe.
As dedicated as Joe was to polo he was even more dedicated to his religion, his family and his work. I have the privilege of knowing his lovely wife Terri and his son Dusty and I met many of his other children and grandchildren at his funeral. The love they showed for this man was beyond words. His business partner Jim Shearer spoke of what an inspiration Joe had been to work with and how his life’s work was dedicated to bettering the plight of the downtrodden, constantly giving those in need a helping hand.
How he found time for all that, I’ll never know. He certainly was an inspiration to me and to everyone I know whose lives he touched. We’re going to miss you Papa Joe.
Brushy Creek Camp Instructed by Robin Sanchez
Robin Sanchez is no stranger to managing and teaching. The daughter of the late renowned polo instructor Buzz Welker, Robin was practically born with a mallet in her hand. Her first lesson was with the late great 9-goaler Dr. Billy Linfoot and she has continued to contribute to every aspect of the sport from training horses to officiating games, and has played tournament polo up to the 16 goal level. Brushy Creek camps are 5 days of total immersion in the polo including horse care as well as all aspects of polo horsemanship, hitting, rules and playing. Robin has also added adult and family weekend camps to the Brushy Creek experience and runs several specialty clinics throughout the year. For more information in these acclaimed camps and clinics contact Robin at 717-645-8778 or email polodutoit@yahoo.com. The $995 Early Bird special deadline for prepaid enrollment has been extended until May 1, 2009. The regular camp fee is $1200.
Youth Clinics with Wilbur O’Ferrall
Wilbur O’Ferrall also has played polo since he was ten. While at UC Davis he won four Western Regional championships, captained the 1989 National Championship team, and won the PTF Player of the year award after leading his team to the National finals in 1990. He has been a Field Director for the PTF since the fall of 1996 emphasizing youth training. Wilbur’s clinics can be for a group new to polo such as a Pony Club or a 4-H group and he can also accommodate a full fledged junior program at a USPA member club. There is no charge for these clinics other than his travel expenses, and housing and feeding him while he is at your location. To reach Wilbur call: 717-645-8715 or email: wofpolo@aol.com.
Club Player and Umpire Clinics
In conjunction with USPA member clubs, the PTF will co-sponsor one pre-approved player or umpire clinic at any club by paying half the cost up to a maximum reimbursement of $1000. For player clinics, clubs can hire their own instructor or have the PTF locate an instructor. For umpire clinics, the instructor must be pre-approved through Head Umpire Instructor Steve Lane. Steve has been in polo since he was big enough to wield a mallet and has been professionally involved with umpiring and umpire training since 1992. In addition to teaching many clinics himself Steve is often assisted by a corps of umpire instructors including Bob Stuerzebecher, Rick Sears, Dan Healy and Billy Sheldon. For more information on this program contact the PTF office: 888-PTF-POLO (783-7656) or email: dscheraga@polotraining.org. For scheduling an umpire clinic, contact Steve Lane: 717-645-8793 or email: slpolo9@aol.com.
Additional Inquiries
For any other questions regarding polo training or polo in general feel free to call the PTF office: 888-PTF-POLO (783-7656) or email dscheraga@polotraining.org.
by Megan Kozminski
The future of polo in America. This is an unrelenting issue on the minds of polo players and supporters across the country. Spearheading a positive outcome for the future of our great sport is the Polo Training Foundation. For over forty years, the PTF has gathered and directed funds towards the development of current and future generations of players and umpires. This is no small feat, in the very best of times.
Resolute towards the current economic challenges facing the country, the PTF continues to strive towards its goal of producing high quality players and umpires: and this year’s annual PTF Benefit Auction proved that hope does prevail for polo’s future. Meet the dedicated contributors and supporters who make the Annual PTF Benefit Auction a success, a group whose ongoing devotion to the sport perpetuates its legacy: Ambassador Glen and Gloria Holden; Deb and Derek Wolstenholme; Dick and Karlene Garber; Fred and Li-Anne Mannix; Dr. Christian and Mrs. Neumann; Paul and Margot Von Gontard; to mention just a few…
Gather a generous group of polo supporters in a room full of inspired auction items, add the enthusiasm of auctioneers Alex Jacoy, Bill Devane and Denny Geiler, and you have an entertaining evening of successful fundraising. Derek Wolstenholme kicked the 2009 PTF Auction off with a short tribute to the Auction Co-chairs Deb Wolstenholme and Jan Ray, whose enthusiasm and optimism he characterized with the appropriate adage: Nothing Succeeds like Success. Indeed.
Danny Scheraga, Executive Director of the PTF, welcomed guests and expressed a genuine enthusiasm towards foundation supporters and initiatives. “The PTF is defined by charity and volunteerism” declared Scheraga, recognizing the leadership of Ambassador Glen Holden and Karlene Garber in this regard. Deb Wolstenholme was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the PTF, for her unfailing fundraising work and commitment to the foundation. Looking forward to the upcoming PTF polo camps, player training, and umpire clinics; Danny also recognized the work of Steve Lane, Head Umpire Instructor at the Eldorado Polo Club, for his work in bridging the gap between east and west coast polo in the US.
One of the youngest representatives of junior polo in the west then addressed guests at the auction: “I have been playing polo for a very long time… and I just love playing polo”. The youngest playing brother of the Uretz family, 12 year-old Hank Uretz’s thoughtful words were a testimony to the work of the PTF and the country’s growing base of strong junior players. Having played polo since the age of 5 years old, Hank mentioned that his talented brothers Wiley, Patrick and Tony are “getting all the offers” to play league polo – and it seems that young Hank is determined to do the same.
As the evening turned towards the exciting prizes up for auction, the spectacular array of international donors and donations took center stage: beautiful Baccarat Crystal donated by Greg and Stacey Renker; a classic Chanel clutch donated by Jeff Byron and Saks Fifth Avenue; a ski trip to Snow Creek Resort in Mammoth, California donated by Margarita and Chuck Lande; an Amangani Jackson Hole resort stay donated by Stuart Campbell and AmanResorts; a Thailand polo experience donated by Harald Link; an array of stunning jewelry donated by Wendy and Doug Lewis and Lesley Portman of The Estate Jewelry Collection. Robert Langholz of the Eldorado Country Club purchased the guided fishing trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands, generously donated by Fred and Li-Anne Mannix. Wes and Clarisa Ru of Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club took away the trip to Peru with visits to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca donated by Inkaterra and The Andean Experience. Murray and Lynda Farmer from the Victoria Polo Club in Canada purchased VIP tickets and accommodations for the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open in September 2009. Paul and Margot Von Gontard generously obtained the Mandarin Oriental Hotel New York prize for five-star accommodations and fine dining.
Complementing the live auction, a silent auction took place with items ranging from a Kim Kumpart Photo Shoot, to polo-inspired original artwork by Abe Flory, to a magenta leather Escada bag. Special guests who generously placed bids and opened their pocketbooks for amazing live and silent auction prizes included Jeff Byron, Wendy Lewis, Lesley Portman, Steve Armour, Denny and Joanne Geiler, Geri Dardi, Pacific Northwest USPA Circuit Governor George Dill, Paige Beard, Shelley Geiler and many other polo players and supporters. Several bidders also participated in the live auction over the phone, in the attempt to secure a prize in their absence of the event.
To wind up the successful fundraising event, guests and patrons raised their hands in sponsorship of teams participating in FIP World Cup Polo. A generous group donated to both Team USA and Team Canada, hoping to further both countries’ opportunities to advance to the finals of the World Cup.
The success of the 13th Annual PTF Auction at the Eldorado Country Club testifies to the tireless efforts of Auction Co-chairs Deb Wolstenholme and Jan Ray, and the ongoing commitment of donors, guests and supporters. In honor of the contribution made by all, Dr. and Mrs. Christian Neumann hosted an exclusive cocktail party at their ranch in Indio on the evening following the auction event.
In 2008, over 1500 students participated in PTF player and umpire training programs. In years to come, the PTF hopes to continue to expand its ability to improve and recognize the playing ability, sportsmanship and contribution of players to the game of polo in North America. Fundraising events such as the Annual Benefit Auction ensure this progress, and bring us one step closer to realizing a successful future for the sport of polo in America.
Megan Kozminski is a freelance writer and the co-founder of Poise Publications Inc., a Canadian-based company that specializes in lifestyle publications related to wine, polo and leisure. She plays at the Calgary Polo Club in Canada and at Eldorado Polo Club in California.
