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Polo arrived in Aiken in 1882, just six years after the game was introduced to this side of the Atlantic.

Over the next years, the sport became an integral part of Winter Colony society, attracting many of the best players in the country and the world. By World War II, Aiken was the acknowledged center of America’s polo world during the winter months. Over its 134-year history, Aiken has been home to many famous players, horses and tournaments, including seven of the 21 American born players who have achieved a 10-goal rating.

Today, Aiken has an international reputation as a place to play, as well as a place to breed & train polo ponies.

Players come to Aiken for the spring season on their way north from Florida, or for the fall season on their way south from points north and west. A growing number of players stay and play year round, and Aiken now has both summer and winter polo, as well as several arenas that hold matches.

Directory

Tiger Kneece

Polo Manager

Tiger is a former 7-goal professional who has won every major tournament in North America. In addition to managing club practices and tournaments, Tiger coaches the Aiken Youth Polo program. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to Tiger wih any polo-related questions.

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Susie Kneece

Director of Marketing

Susie is our marketing and advertising expert. She can answer all your questions about sponsorship of our games and tournaments as well as advertising in our acclaimed annual Aiken Polo Magazine.

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Susie is also able to assist with any club related inquiries & annual parking.

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Charlie Bostwick

President, Board of Directors

Charlie has deep roots in polo and grew up playing on Aiken’s fields along with his brother, Ricky, and his father, Pete. Pete Bostwick, an 8-goal HOF player, started to play at the club in the 1930s and was one of the club’s main driving forces in the 60s and 70s.

 

Charlie lives in Aiken with his wife Tara and their family.

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Pam Gleason

Secretary

Pam is a polo player in Aiken. She is the editor and publisher of The Aiken Horse newspaper as well as the editor for the annual Aiken Polo Magazine. Additionally, Pam coordinates Aiken Polo Club’s marketing efforts in the community and beyond.

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Geoff Ellis

Board of Directors

Geoff Ellis is the proprietor of The Willcox in Aiken, South Carolina and The Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina along with his wife Shannon. Geoff played quite a bit of polo in his 20s, but has been devoting more time to his career and family in more recent years.

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Frank Mullins

Board of Directors

Frank serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America. Frank has been playing polo for over a decade, fielding the Mullins Land Polo team here at Aiken Polo Club.

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Randy Rizor

Board of Directors

Randy Rizor, a colonel in the medical corps of the US Army Reserve, is a doctor at the Physicians Spine and Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia. An active and enthusiastic player, he can often be found playing in the finals of APC tournaments with his Peachtree team, usually dressed in crimson jerseys. Randy plays here in Aiken and also closer to his home in Atlanta, GA.

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Max Hempt

Board of Directors

Max is a 4th generation player, with his children following in his footsteps. Happily, Max’s wife, Amy, is very supportive of family polo. The Hempt Family also continues to campaign Standardbred race horses throughout the U.S. and Canada. Max is President and CEO of his family’s construction business, Hempt Brothers, Inc.

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Field Locations

Field Locations

WHITNEY FIELD

420 Mead Avenue
Aiken, SC 29801

POWDERHOUSE FIELDS

Powder House Road SE
Aiken, SC 29803

WINTHROP FIELD

438 Mead Avenue
Aiken, SC 29801

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