HAM_Yearbook_2008 DIGITAL:Layout 1 25/6/08 18:57 Page 28
BUCK’S
– A LONDON GENTLEMEN’S
SOCIAL CLUB
WITH A STRONG
POLO TRADITION
Buck’s Club quickly gained a reputation as a The Prince of Wales has played on a number
young man’s club and was well known for of occasions for the Buck’s Club team. The
the sporting interests and prowess of its outbreak of foot and mouth in 2001 meant that
members. These have included the incredible the game between the Turf Club and Buck’s
Charles Fry, who played cricket and football could not be played. Instead, later in the season
for England, played rugby for the Barbarians, Buck’s played against Highgrove with the Prince
held the world long jump record and was of Wales joined by Prince William and Prince
offered the crown of Albania! Harry in their line-up. Since then there has
been an annual fixture between Buck’s and the
Other members included “Plum” Warner who Highgrove team. The Buck’s polo team has also
managed the English cricket team on the gone on overseas tours and played in Ghana
notorious “Bodyline” tour of Australia, and Prince and Newport, Rhode Island.
Obolensky who in 1936 scored one of the most
legendary tries ever for England against the All
Blacks. But it was the horsey reputation of the ONE MAN WHEN ASKED WHY HE
Club for which it was best known. One man,
DID NOT WANT TO JOIN BUCK’S
REPLIED “OH, A VERY TIRESOME
when asked why he did not want to join Buck’s,
CLUB. YOU HAVE TO PRACTICALLY
replied; “Oh, a very tiresome club. You have to
RIDE UP THE STAIRCASE ON
practically ride up the staircase on horseback in HORSEBACK IN JODHPURS.”
jodhpurs.”
In 1897 a Social Clubs’ Polo Tournament, open In 1921 the American Polo Team visited Britain
to recognised social clubs, had been started at to challenge for the Westchester Cup, which
Hurlingham. In 1921 Buck’s entered two teams England had won at Meadowbrook in 1914.
and their 26-goal team beat the Royal Buck’s became their London base during their
Automobile Club in the final. Over the next few sojourn. A number of dinners and other events
years Buck’s won the tournament on a further were held at the club. At Buck’s there is a photo
six occasions. The outbreak of the Second World of a dinner with the American players seated
War brought the tournament temporarily to an round the table in their tuxedos and their
end. The Social Clubs’ Polo Cup did not restart English hosts in white tie standing behind. The
until 1957 when it was played at Cirencester Park Americans include the legendary players Tommy
and was then played intermittently over the Hitchcock and Devereux Milburn. At the end of
following years at Cirencester, Cowdray and their stay, the Americans presented Buck’s with a
Windsor. In 1963 Buck’s won with a team that fine Silver Cup which is engraved with an
included the legendary Humphrey Guinness and inscription of thanks for the hospitality they had
the Maharajah of Jaipur. The tournament lay received.
dormant from 1965 until Buck’s restarted it in
1994 with a match between Buck’s and the There are many reminders in the Club of its polo
Cavalry & Guards Club. Subsequent games have history including a splendid painting by Nina
been played against the Cavalry & Guards and Colmore of her husband on one of his polo
the Turf at Windsor and Cirencester Park. HRH ponies and a bronze by Herbert Haseltine, who is
28 HAM POLO CLUB 2008
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