Y E S T E RY E A R S
Still Champions Old Westbury proves too powerful for five other Open teams By Peter Vischer
The Open final drew a large crowd to Meadow Brook Polo Club’s International Field in Westbury, Long Island.
If the Open Championship tournament of 1938 had an especial interest, it was rather to be found in the performance of the stars through whom Britain hopes to achieve victory in the international matches of 1939 than in the emphatic triumph of the defending champions, Old Westbury. The story of the actual tournament may be told in few words: Old Westbury simply had too much power for the opposition. There never was a moment when Old Westbury was in the slightest danger and there never was a moment, while the ball was in play, when the outcome of any match involving Old Westbury was in the slightest doubt. Michael Phipps, despite injuries to his shoulder
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that kept him on the ground for one game, was a magnificent No. 1. Beautifully mounted, he was in great form and proved himself an eager and an accurate forward. Cecil Smith, at No. 2, was every inch the 10-goal star. He dominated the Old Westbury attack in every one of its three games. In 24 chukkers of the best polo we have, he failed to take a shot at the enemy goal in only four; indeed, in those 24 chukkers he failed to score in only five! He scored 24 goals in all, an average of a goal a chukker, out of 47 chances created for him by his teammates and himself, or an accuracy of just under 50%. Who could in his wildest dreams, imagine a solider No. 2 than this?
