Polo in the desert? It’s always been here, but hard for those who don’t live here to believe. There was the Palm Springs Polo Club in the 1930s and polo at the first Eldorado Polo Club in the early 1960s, located on the land that became the Vintage Club. Now Eldorado Polo Club is the largest polo club in the Southwest — and with good polo comes savvy people who use chukkers to help others in need.
Two of the most popular events during the polo season are the Barbara Sinatra Skins Polo Game benefiting Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower and the polo matches on Easter Sunday to help Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped. Both attract legions of fans — some who really love polo and others who come to help a needy cause and to see and be seen. Whatever the reason, the outcome is a financial gift to nonprofits in need of continual help.
Robin Montgomery and Janet Newcomb chaired the 11th annual Pegasus Easter luncheon underwritten by honorary chairs Jerry Blue, Chuck Hodges, and Peter Solomon. On display for silent auction bid were items selected by Jackie Lee Houston to fill multiple needs and budgets.
Nelda Linsk took the reigns for the Skins Game and produced a formal luncheon from Le St. Germain and dreamy fashions from Chantelle on El Paseo. Honorary chairs were Barbara Sinatra and Jerry Vale. Sponsors were Chantelle, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Le St. Germain, Ford Trucks, and Eldorado Polo Club.
The Sinatra center for abused and battered children also benefited from an "Uncles" luncheon with baseball’s favorite ambassador, Tommy LaSorda, as guest speaker; the event was chaired by Marshall Gelfand, chairman of the center’s board, and Arthur Jacobson, chairman of the Uncles Club. In addition, the Sinatra Affiliates headed by Jan Garson, hosted a performance by the Caballeros Gay Men’s Chorus co-chaired by Carole Craine and Connie Schivarelli, and an "Aunts, Uncles and Us" luncheon-fashion show featured local models with their children and grandchildren. Co-chairs Jerry Benston and Peggy Cravens came up with the concept in salute to the Sinatra Center’s 20th anniversary. MaryAnn Mobley and Gary Collins were surprise guest models.