The Oak Brook Polo Club announces the expansion of the 2017 season with a benefit match on Sunday, September 17th at 1:00 p.m. in honor of friend and fellow teammate Tony Sekera.
On Friday, June 2nd, Sekera was badly injured during a solo stick and ball practice near Aiken, South Carolina. His favorite polo pony took a bad stumble resulting in Sekera somersaulting overthe animal’s head fracturing his C4 and C5 vertebrae with devastating spinal cord damage. He was airlifted to Augusta University Medical Center for an emergency surgery to realign vertebrae and decompress his spinal cord. Sekera stayed in the Shock TraumaUnit for two weeks until he was stabilized enough to be flown to Chicago's world class Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly RIC).
Due to significant immobility below his shoulders. Sekera will have to rely on 24/7 nursing care. Anyone who knows him is aware of his determination, tenacity and positive attitude, however, this injury alsopresents insurmountable challenges. Oak Brook Polo Club would like to garner public support and help Sekera in his recovery.
“Team Up for Tony” will take place at the Prince of Wales Field as an all field-side tailgate ticketed event. Guest can bring their own picnic and beverages while enjoying a game of high goal polo. All proceedswill be donated to the Sekera family to support Tony’s long-term care and therapy.
“Tony has and will always be a dear friend and teammate to the entire Chicago polo community,” explains Danny O’Leary, managing director of Oak Brook Polo Club. “We are committed to helping the Sekera familyraise donations for Tony’s long-term care and therapy. His profound love of the game and recollections of his time in the saddle go back decades, not just at Oak Brook, but across Chicagoland.”
Oak Brook Polo Club’s final match in the “International Polo Series” is Sunday, September 10th against Great Britain.
2017 marks Oak Brook Polo Club's 95th season as one of the nation's oldest polo clubs in operation today and fourth oldest sports property in Chicago. Once considered the “polo capital” of the world Oak Brookwas the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.
Gates open at 12:00 p.m. and tailgate parking will be on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets are $30 per tailgate spot or $10 for general field parking and are available atwww.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095.
