The Setai To Compete In USPA Gold Cup's Bennie Gutierrez Memorial And U.S. Open At National Polo Center
- Candace Ferreira
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
WELLINGTON, FL., March 18, 2025---The Setai, featuring several familiar faces from Grand Champions Polo Club and World Polo League, will compete in the Bennie Gutierrez Memorial and U.S. Open Polo Championship at the National Polo Center.
By Sharon Robb
The Setai, making its debut at the National Polo Center, features Melissa Ganzi, 8-goaler Gonzalito Pieres and 7-goalers Nic Roldan and Santi Toccalino.
The Bennie Gutierrez Memorial is the subsidiary for the USPA Gold Cup currently underway with the semifinals (Coca Cola vs. Brookshire and La Dolfina Catamount vs. Park Place) on Wednesday and finals on Sunday.
In the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, The Setai will play BTA (Nachi Viana, 7, Steve Krueger, 5, Tommy Panelo, 10, Kelly Beal, 0) at 11 a.m. in the semifinals.
In the second game, Globalport (Stephanie Lueders, 0, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, 6, Beltran Lauhle, 6, Barto Castagnola, 10), recent winners of the 22-goal Sterling Cup at Grand Champions, plays Pilot (Curtis Pilot, 0, Cody Ellis, 5, Matias Torres Zavaleta, 8, Facundo Pieres, 9) at 4 p.m. The winners will advance to the final.
The Bennie Gutierrez Memorial Cup is an NPC tournament celebrating exceptional horsemen and accomplished professional polo players. During the 1960s and 70s, Gutierrez was one of the highest rated players. He attained an 8-goal handicap in 1968 in an era with no American 10-goal players.
A sought-after teammate, his titles included the 1972 U.S. Open as well as the 1960 and 1967 National Twenty Goal. When the USA sent its best to Argentina for the 1969 Cup of the Americas, the Hall of Famer was selected and played with distinction. He died July 25, 2024 at age 88 in Sebring, Fla.
The Setai is one of 12 teams entered in the U.S. Open that begins March 24 and runs through April 20. The U.S. Open is the most prestigious polo tournament in the United States and attracts fans and polo enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world.
In addition to The Setai, the remaining teams are:
BROOKSHIRE: Scott Wood 0, Segundo Saravi 5, Toly Ulloa 7, Jeta Castagnola 10.
BTA: Nachi Viana 7, Steve Krueger 5, Tomas Panelo 10, Kelly Beal 0, 22.
CATAMOUNT: Scott Devon 0, Rufino Merlos 5, Poroto Cambiaso 10, Jesse Bray 7, 22.
CLEARWATER: Chip Campbell 1, Joaquin Panelo 6, Gringo Colombres 8, Paquito de Narvaez 7, 22.
COCA COLA: Gillian Johnston 0, Lorenzo Chavanne 6, Polito Pieres 9, Julian De Lussarreta 7, 22.
DUTTA CORP: Timmy Dutta 4, Inaki Laprida 7, Nico Diaz Alberdi 4, Tomas Garcia del Rio 7, 22.
GLOBALPORT: Michael Romero 0, Beltran Lauhle 6, Lucas Diaz Alberdi 6, Barto Castagnola 10, 22.
LA FE/EASTERN HAY: Louis Devaleix 1, Robi Bilbao 5, Keko Magrini 6, Francisco Elizalde 9, 21.
PARK PLACE: Andrey Borodin 0, Louis Hine 5, Hilario Ulloa 10, Peke Gonzalez 7, 22.
PILOT: Curtis Pilot 0, Cody Ellis 5, Matias Torres Zavaleta 8, Facundo Pieres 9, 22.
TAMERA: Ale Poma 1, Diego Cavanagh 7, Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Matt Coppola 4, 22.
The Setai Miami Beach is a longtime supporter of polo. The Setai competes in the annual World Polo League Beach Polo World Cup and after the excitement of each day’s matches, hosts The Setai for Apres Polo, an exclusive evening celebration featuring cocktails, music, and mingling under the Miami Beach sky. It’s been referred to as "the perfect spot to unwind, connect, and celebrate the iconic beach polo event."
The Setai is a diamond among hotels in Miami Beach, where guests feel inspired by a place where undivided attention is tailored to their unique sensibilities and where East meets West. It is a place where time-honored Asian-inspired philosophies endure and are strongly felt throughout masterful dining, leisure and spa experiences, exceptionally appointed accommodations and immersive spaces located on Collins Avenue oceanfront.