Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995 TAG: 9510070014
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Today is the only time all year that Roger Steele doesn't have to drive 100 miles to play polo.
Never mind that Steele didn't know until Friday which team he would be representing in the Roanoke Symphony Polo Cup.
Steele has been an institution in the event, which had its start in the late 1980s at his Fincastle farm. It has since moved to Green Hill Park in Salem, where Team Michelob will meet Team Michelob Dry today at 2 p.m.
Gates open at 11 a.m., with pre-match ceremonies beginning at 12:30.
``I don't know what the field's going to be like,'' said Steele as heavy rains started to taper off Thursday. ``I know the weather's supposed to get better. I just don't know how much better.''
The idea is for the teams to be as evenly matched as possible, which is why matchmakers - Steele among them - were delighted with last year's 11-11 tie.
``It's not part of a league or the finals of a tournament,'' said Steele, who plays most of his polo for the Charlottesville Polo Club. ``We like it to be as competitive as possible.''
Steele is tentatively scheduled to play for Team Michelob, along with fellow University of Virginia alumnus Rob Rinehart, Rick Heald and Joe Muldoon III.
Muldoon is one of two five-goal players in the match. Martin Cepeda, representing Team Michelob Dry, is the other. Cepeda's teammates are Rob Rinehart's brother, Rodger; Gary Leonard and Earle Betts.
``You don't get above the three-goal level unless you're really dedicated,'' Steele said.
Muldoon, Cepeda and the Rinehart brothers would be considered professionals, a first for this event last year.
Steele said the total handicaps for both teams will be in the 14-16 range, which is comparable to last year, when Adam Snow brought his eight-goal handicap to Salem.
``The handicaps of the players will be relatively uniform, which could be better in some ways than having one or two high-goal players who might dominate the play,'' Steele said.
by CNB