The herald., 1895-07-21

POLO AT SANTA MONICA
History of the First At
tempts to Play Polo
Here
NOW A FASHIONABLE GAME
A Strong Organization at Santa Monica
aud the Club Has the Best
Polo Ponies in the
County
NOW A FASHIONABLE GAME
BY J. c. Hemingway

There is no outdoor sport which draws
a larger or more fashionable audience
during the pleasing days OF summer at
Santa Monica than polo, where the game
was first played on the coast in accord
ance with correct rules and regulations.
and where the first club OF the state and
coast was organized: from which band OF
merry enthusiasts has spread the gospel
OF the manly pastme.
1t has been said that polo was first
PLAYED in California by few Englishmen
in San Luis Obispo county, but there be.
ing no club organization, no following of
the regulations governing the game. and
no match games played and no records
kept, aud if the statement be true. 1t is
also true that it was played in sort of
practice way; and as soon as the novelty
wore off playing ceased
1t remained for Jolly band OF Eng
llshmen headed ty MI. j. Is. Proctor to
properly inaugurate the ancient and eXclt-
ing sport IN the state. since which organl-
cation others have sprung into being and
received hearty encouragement. Mr..
Proctor had played 'he game in Iowa
previous to coming to Santa Monica,
bringing with him a few regulation sticks
ard balls. which was q lucky thing for
polo for he found those in use here re-
semblng billiard cues with mallet handles
more tnan the proper article.
The gentleman received hearty support
from Captain Bolton of the English
army, who hal had experience with the
game while with his regiment in Egypt
and India. He was also materially alued
by Messrs, James Parker, r. Peyton
Carter. tho crack tennis player, John
Machcll. Dr. J. A. Edmunds and E.
Templar Allen. After canvassing the
matter and few p1actlce games in the
spring of 1889, the gentlemen mentioned,
and perhaps a few Others of whom the
writer has no remembrance. the South
ern California Polo club was organized.
and polo vas started to grow in interest
and favor as the years rolled by.
Their ranks were augmented from time
to time by the well-known players OF the
south, OF whom may be mentioned
Messrs. G.. j.. Waring. &. f. Maud. Mr.
Woothousc. Robert E. Better. W. H.
Young and W. II. Ward.
1be Riverside club was started later,
bout three years ago. Then came the
Burlingame. and one in Walla Walla, with
every pros pect of several more to be or
ganized in tho immediate future.
The successful termination OF the first
state tournament at Burlinga-'e last
April, and the glorious victory OF the
Riverside players. who returned with the
laurels of the conquest, have greatly slim
ula;ed the game all over the south and up
the coast, and we will undoubtedly have
the pleasure of cbroniclipg tournaments
here at least once year between state
clubs and clubs from the north.
The season for the game at Santa Mon
ica is from about June 18th to October,
and at Riverside from that time to sum-
mer time. Thus the orange growers have
constant practice. Regular games are
played at Santa Monica during the season
twice a week, when societv's upper
tendon turns out to enjoy the sport, to
encourage the players, and to participate
in the inviting afternoon teas which the
ladies give. thus giving the events an
added charm to all present.
The grounds are Beautifully situated on
Nevada avenue, of ample dimensions,
well cared for with the Seventh street
park adjacent, and the trees making
the quarters.
There is no more pleasing scene to be
witnessed on a summer uay than the
many athletes at play, with every con-
testant and pony straining every nerve to
send the ball between the goal flags. past
the line. To watch the hero who has won
a goal while pony struts conscious OF the
glory to the starting point. To have the
words Of encomium, to see the fringe OF
elegant equirases with their gaily decor
ated occupants. to watch the ladies and
their gallants at the tea is really
worth one 5 Wnlle TO come distance 10
behold.
Thus have they delighted the public for
the past six seasons. and are already pre-
pairing for the seventh.
The present officers Of the Southern
California Polo club are: Mr. E. J. Cor
ham, president; 6. l.. Waring, secretary;
J. B. Proctor, captain. The pony is one
of the essential parts of team. Without
well trained and good one a good
players efforts are OF no avail. Mr.. Proc
tor in this respect proved again his love
OF the sport by thoroughly training Rex,
a chestnut stallion, who is now about en-
terng his seventh season, and Mr.. Bet
ner's Cigarette. a roam pony formerly
owned by Mr.. Proctor and recently lion
lied by well-nigh every one at Bur-
lingame; C. f. Naud's Dawn, 6. l.. War
ing Santa Clara and King Pin. Mr.. W.
H. Young's black beauty Sheila. Mr.. J.
Machell's Tomtit and W. Russell Ward S
ToriotS nj RpT