17th Annual Polo Match
Ends in a High-Scoring Finish

Saturday, September 8th proved to be a day of madcap adventure. Spectators at the 17th Annual Picnic & Polo game at Lippman field at Newton Fork Ranch witnessed Linda Flounders, the announcer, take a ball to the head (without missing a vocal beat), scorekeeper Rachel Taylor’s tally sheet disappear mid-game in a gust of wind (never to be found), and Rapid City’s Black Hills Polo team end a three-year victory drought to win, 7 to 5.

It all began with some unusual horse-trading among the players. The teams were rearranged due to the unexpected loss of Kurt Ketelsen’s participation. Rich Jensen of Double Diamond Ranch dusted off his polo mallet and stepped in to fill the void. The teams were then rearranged to even up the talent and experience. Playing for Black Hills Polo was Hill City’s Tim Gregson in the number one position (offense), renown buffalo wrangler and consultant Alex Lammers of Hermosa in the number two position (mid-field), and Alex’s father Duane Lammers in the number three position (defense). Hill City’s own Rushmore Polo & Social Club (whose motto is more “social” than “polo”) was comprised of Rich Jensen in the number one position, Tim’s nephew and team captain Boe Gregson playing number two, and newcomer and British citizen Angela Gross in position three.

The action got off to a swift start with Tim Gregson scoring the first goal; then opposing member Rich Jensen answered the call followed by fellow teammate Boe Gregson who scored a second goal. The second chukker saw both teams playing heavy defense and trying to deny either side a point. Alex Lammers managed to foil Rushmore’s effort and slipped in a goal, thus creating a tie. The announcer should have been playing better defense as a ball, struck by Boe Gregson with tremendous force ricocheted off a horse’s leg, struck the ball boy’s arm, and slammed into announcer’s head. Surprisingly, no injuries were reported.

At halftime, with champagne glasses in hand, spectators were invited to come out on the field and “stomp divots.” About that time, the score sheet flew away.
The third chukker got underway with some of the most spectacular play in recent years. Tim Gregson scored a logic-defying “belly shot” under his horse to take the lead for Black Hills. Angela “this one’s for the Queen” Gross responded in short order with a nearside backhand shot on goal. Boe Gregson, in a show of force, snapped the head off his mallet and the announcer flinched.

It was 3-3 going into the fourth and final chukker which meant the evenly-matched teams would have to dig in. A one-on-one battle ensued on goal between Gross and Gregson. First one would score and then the other with their respective teammates alternating between playing defensive and setting up the shots. With it 6-5 favoring Black Hills, and Rushmore hoping to tie it up for a comeback in overtime, Tim Gregson broke away down field and lobbed a highflying ball over the goal just as the final horn blew. This awarded Black Hills Polo their first win since 2003.

After a touching awards ceremony where Duane Lammers accepted the long-awaited and much anticipated Paul E. Lippman Memorial Polo Cup, fans gathered to enjoy a picnic with lots of delicious food provided by guests, the Alpine Inn, and Newton Fork Ranch.

The polo trophy is now on permanent display at the newly remodeled Alpine bar. Next year’s game, scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2008 should prove no less an adventure.