by Sam Morton

SUNNY HALE is one of my favorite polo players. One of the first women pros to play on an equal level with men, she is the first woman to win the U.S. Open as a professional. She won the U.S. Open with Outback in 2000 and was raised to the handicap of five goals.

SM:Who would you like to play for that you have never been connected to.

SH: George Strait.

SM: George Strait plays polo?

SH: All right then, John Goodman.

SM: What's the most bizarre thing you have seen in polo?

SH: In my second year in the high goal, I was playing with Henry de K in the 22 goal with Eduardo and

       Nachi Heguy. Eduardo looked at me and said "Sunny, I had a nightmare last night. We are the best       

       players in the world and I am playing with a woman and I have to pay her" Also I had to ask Frank the

       flagger at Palm Beach Polo if he had ssen my scrunchie on the back line as I had lost it and my hair was

       in my eyes.

SM: So if you weren't swinging a mallet, what would you be swinging?

SH: I'd be riding horses.

SM: Who helped you get in the high goal.

SH: Bob Moore and Bill Ylvisaker got Marti Gruss (Pagusus Polo) between them sitting at a game and talked 

       him into hiring me. I was three goals and it was my first year in the high goal.

SM: Who has the best string of horses in polo next to yours?

SH: Adolfo Cambiaso's Open string.

SM: What advice would you give women who are trying to make it as a pro in polo?

SH: You need to earn respect based on your game. Behave like a lady. If you want to compete with the best

       players in the world, respect your teammates.

SM: What three American would you take to Argentina with you to play as a team?

SH: Mike Azzaro, Nic Roldan and Jeff Hall.

SM: OK, You are running the USPA. What's your next move?

SH: I'd create a tournament for up and coming American players.

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