Tournament is cancer awareness fundraiser

Don't miss an opportunity to see the best in women's polo while contributing to improving the lives of women throughout the CSRA.

The 11th annual United States Polo Association Aiken Ladies Invitational presented by MavOffice.com begins Monday at 11 a.m. as Regent takes on Jamaica.

The finals of the 3-5 goal Signature flight and the 0-2 goal Campbell Flight will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, at 3 p.m. at Meadow Hill Farm.

The tournament finals serve as a charity to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation's funding of a program at University Hospital of Augusta's Breast Care Center.

Many of the world's best female players will converge on Aiken for one of the world's most prestigious ladies' tournaments. The tournament features three flights with four teams in each flight. There's a zero goal flight; 0-2 goal flight and 3-5 goal flight.

Holley Tractor will be back to defend its title in the 3-5 goal Signature flight. The team defeated New Bridge 8-7 in the 2008 edition of the ALI Signature flight finals in a hard-fought game. Brigadoon/Goose Creek's roster features Sunset "Sunny" Hale, who at three goals is the tournament's highest rated player. Hale holds the distinction of being one of two women to have been rated at 5 goals.

There are a number of ticket options for spectators and polo enthusiasts. The finals are co-hosted by Aiken Equine Charities and 302 Polo. The tournament finals are the major fundraiser for the program at University Hospital of Augusta that provides free mammographies and further diagnostics for women with either no health insurance or insufficient health insurance, said Barb Uskup of 302 Polo.

"The program has provided over 1,200 free mammograms, further diagnostics for more than 40 women. And six women are currently in treatment for breast cancer as a direct result of the program," said Uskup. "Supporting this event raises money for the program. The CSRA should come out and support the tournament. It's a great opportunity to support a great cause."

Tickets to the finals of the Aiken Ladies Invitational are available in a variety of package options.

Tailgating ticket patron packages are $250 per car and include field-side parking and four individual tickets to the Crestview Farm Pavilion Tent that includes hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary bar during the matches; the Donor Package for $150 per car includes field side parking; individual Crestview Farm VIP Pavilion tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children (those 12 or younger are admitted for free) and include admission to the Crestview Farm Pavilion tent; the Contributor Package for $50 per car includes field-side parking and admission for four per car; General Admission tickets are $10 per person and children younger than 6 are admitted for free.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.302polo.com until Thursday at 5 p.m. Limited advance purchase tickets are available at the gate on a first come, first served basis.

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.