Board Of Directors
On behalf of your Board of Directors and the Trustees, I welcome you to an exciting 2024 season at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (SBPRC). Let me start by thanking the members who requested that I serve on the board and for their confidence in me as the new president. I will take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for John Muse’s leadership and dedication over the past decade. As he steps down from his role as board president, we reflect on his numerous contributions to our Club. Additionally, I would like to express our gratitude to Leigh Brecheen for her invaluable efforts during her decade-long tenure on the board. Not only has Leigh been a dedicated board member, but she also showcases incredible talent as a polo player, inspiring us all with her skill and passion for the sport.
When I consider what I want to see our club accomplish during my tenure on the board, it is a “changed perspective.” There are many ingredients to achieving a great club and a great year; the two most important are people and perspective. The membership at our Club is uniquely designed. We are blessed to be in a situation where WE can effectively run our Club as an equity club (for the complete enjoyment of the members, not for profit), but without a significant “membership buy-in.” This is a beautiful design (our 501 (c)(7) ownership structure) and a benefit we need to flaunt to our communities as we come and enjoy our Polo, Tennis, Swim and Fitness, and growing Social memberships. Through our membership, we have gained access to one of the most special clubs in California. That is a win!! Our Club is not going away, nor will it be sold for a profit -- IT IS OURS TO ENJOY. We are unique, and, as members, we should foster a perspective of gratitude and generosity.
For many, the Tennis and Swim & Fitness portions of our Club remain a well-kept secret, overshadowed by the grandeur of our polo matches. However, over the years, these two areas of our Club have been woven together through further engagement, more club parties, and, of course, our Friday Happy Hour matches. The Tennis Clubhouse holds a special place in my heart and is part of my family’s legacy. As a child, I remember vividly the days spent with my mother planting the majestic redwoods and sycamores that grace our property. These trees stand as a testament to our enduring commitment to this land and its offerings. Within its walls, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of tennis, guided by some of the finest professionals Santa Barbara has to offer. Whether you’re a seasoned player honing your skills or a novice eager to learn, our tennis clubhouse welcomes all with open arms and a spirit of inclusivity.
As we move into 2024, it is exciting to announce that we are making changes to enhance polo and create greater membership value. This year we will add two more fields, bringing the total number of fields to six, three onsite and three offsite. First, Tom Barrack and the Barrack family, who own Piocho Ranch with two fields, are looking for a long-term relationship with SBPRC. This, coupled with our excellent relationship with Andy and Kim Busch family and the use of their field will allow us to grow polo at all levels. With the encouragement of Chuck Lande, Chairman of the Trustees, the opportunity to manage the fields has come our way and puts us in charge of our future. We can start adding 8-goal programs and entertain more polo in the summer, including a proper stick and ball area for the team sponsors, which is desperately needed.
Our Club has grown in prominence in Santa Barbara and our spectator crowds continue to flourish. We are the best Friday afternoon in Santa Barbara at 4:00 pm, and nothing compares to our Sunday Polo festivities. We must continue to build this awareness.
2024 looks very bright to us. We have excellent management, a good reputation in the world of polo, a robust tennis program, and one of the best locations in the world. This, combined with the great fortune of a membership structure that allows all the privileges of an equity membership, makes SBPRC one of, if not the best, club opportunities in Santa Barbara and beyond. I look forward to our growing reputation.
In closing, may I take the liberty to say that we, as members, can give back in different ways -some wisdom, some work, and some wealth.
Let’s be generous and enjoy 2024.
Sincerely, Henry Walker