John T. Oxley

At the age when some players consider hanging up their mallets, John T. Oxley picked his up for the first time, at the age of 46. He was a marvel, playing high-goal polo well into his eighties and contributing immeasurably to the sport.

During polo’s lean years he stepped to the helm at Royal Palm Polo Club in Florida and nurtured the USA’s best polo, drawing on both American and foreign stars, pleasing throngs of fans while heralding the new era for the sport. The early safety helmet, the arena at Cornell University, American-bred polo ponies, generous support of polo causes, and opportunities for young players were all part of John’s illustrious record along with two U.S. Open Championships, the USPA Rolex Gold Cup (won at the age of 83), Silver Cup and Monty Waterbury titles, countless Sunshine League victories, and 27 medium-goal championships.