EVERGREEN - Cacho Galindo, Carlitos Galindo, Charlie Caldwell, Tom Sprung
The road to the USPA Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup final can be a tough drive and the 2021 route was no exception.
The finalists of this year’s very competitive six goal championship had difficult trips to get there.
Peter Milner and Greg Hanson’s Dungar/Element 101 (Peter Milner, Greg Hanson -1, Jared Sheldon 4, Rodrigo Salinas 3) had to win a semi-final over defending champion (2019) Bush League while Evergreen (Tom Sprung -1, Carlitos Galindo 4, Cacho Galindo 2, Charlie Caldwell 1) needed to closeout 2021 Spreckels Cup six goal winners La Salle Properties.
From the start, it was very apparent that Evergreen was in control as Caldwell and Carlitos Galindo scored early field goals. Sheldon was able to get one of those back but Caldwell – riding the eventual Best Playing Pony – replied to that with his second to again lead by a pair. Cacho Galindo then scored his first of six on a penalty two from the spot to take a three goal lead to the second at 4 – 1.
Chukker number two was less hectic and the scoring reflected it as only two goals were posted. Sheldon for Dungar/Element 101 with an open goal award from 30 yards to trail by two and Cacho Galindo with a penalty two conversion of his own to again give Evergreen a lead of three at 5 – 2 to end the first half.
The third period allowed a very dominant and controlling Evergreen to run over Dungar/Element 101 with four unanswered Cacho Galindo counters – a penalty four bomb that hit the front bumper of a moving car on the road at the south end of field one, followed by a penalty two conversion which was then followed by a 75 yard penalty five strike which was in turn followed by a field goal. Evergreen now led by seven at 9 – 2.
In the final frame, the Evergreen run continued as two Carlitos Galindo field goals allowed for a lead of nine at 11 – 2. True to the strong spirit that got them to the final, Dungar/Element 101 didn’t quit. The result was a penalty one grant, then a counter by Salinas from the field, and back-to-back strikes by Hanson that allowed a final tally of 11 – 6 to favor Evergreen as they became the 2021 USPA Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup Champions.
As well as having their names added to the prestigious Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup Trophy, Governor Danny Walker presented Richard Roenisch bronzes to the winners as well as runner-up awards to Dungar/Element 101. Along with the aforementioned honors, Eldorado Polo Club checks in the amount of $7,500 and $2,500 were presented to the victors and challengers.
Based on his imposing presence along with powerful offensive and defensive abilities, Cacho Galindo earned the title of MVP and Martha, owned and played by Caldwell in the first, was honored with the Best Playing Pony blanket.
As part of the Governor’s Cup presentations, two Eldorado season ending honors were conferred. Torrey Ripinsky received the Ronai White Sponsor Dedication Award and Sy Zahedi was presented the Robert Skene Most Improved Player Trophy.
Tony Gregg