A Legacy Renewed!

Celebrating 125 years of sport & tradition

Come join us to celebrate the 125th year Anniversary of the Camden Polo Club on Saturday May 10th, 2025!

The Camden Polo Club invites you, your family, and friends to gather at the venerable Kirkwood Polo Field for an unforgettable celebration marking 125 years of thrilling polo tradition. Since our founding in 1900, the Camden Polo Club has been a cornerstone of the community. On May 10th, 2025, we honor that incredible legacy and celebrate the vibrant resurgence led by a new generation of dedicated local amateur players who have proudly renewed our historic charter.

Event Details:

  • What: Camden Polo Club 125th Anniversary Amateur Polo Match & Community Celebration

  • When: Saturday, May 10th, 2025

    • Gates Open for Tailgating: 12:00 PM (Noon)

    • Anniversary Polo Match Begins: 2:00 PM (Approximate time)

  • Where: Historic Kirkwood Polo Field, 610 Polo Lane, Camden, South Carolina

Tickets & Admission:

  • General Admission: $45 per person. Grants entry to the event grounds.

  • Car Pass (Tailgating): $90 per vehicle. Includes event admission for all occupants within the vehicle and provides one space for tailgating along the field. General (non-sponsored) tailgate spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early for the best location!

  • Children: Admission is FREE for children 12 years old and under.

Camden Polo: A Legacy Revived, Accessible to All

Step onto historic ground where tradition meets a vibrant revival! Founded in 1900, the Camden Polo Club celebrates 125 years of thrilling sport in 2025. Our home is the iconic Kirkwood Field, the second oldest polo grounds in the United States and a testament to Camden's rich equestrian heritage.

After a period of dormancy, we're proud to announce the club's rechartering this year, blending our storied past with an exciting, accessible future. Guided by a mission focused on Accessibility, Community, and Heritage, we're breaking down barriers. Our unique shared pony rental model makes polo achievable for local amateurs, even without owning horses. We foster a welcoming environment for all skill levels, offering everything from beginner clinics and "Discovery Days" to Sunday matches perfect for spectating and tailgating.

Join us as we honor over a century of history while writing the next chapter. Discover how you can connect with our community, learn the sport, or simply enjoy the excitement on the field.

Get in the Game: Polo Programs for Everyone

Curious about polo or looking to play? The Camden Polo Club offers a diverse range of programs designed for all levels and interests. Experience the thrill of our weekly Sunday matches on the historic Kirkwood Field – spectators and tailgaters are always welcome! Newcomers can dive into the sport with our popular "Discovery Days," featuring clinics for adults, youth, and even those who just want to learn the basics on foot. Plus, members can utilize stick-and-ball sessions and private lessons. We proudly make polo accessible, offering shared pony rentals so horse ownership isn't a barrier. Explore all the ways you can learn, play, and connect with the Camden polo community.

Laying the Groundwork: Camden Polo's Beginnings

To truly appreciate the rich history of the Camden Polo Club, it helps to understand the era in which it was born. The late 19th century saw Camden blossom into a premier winter resort destination, attracting visitors from the North seeking leisure, sport, and a pleasant climate away from harsh winters. This pivotal period laid the foundation for many of Camden's cherished traditions.

The timeline captures the key milestones during those transformative years. It illustrates how the development of the Kirkwood area, the construction of recreational facilities like the first golf course and our historic Kirkwood Polo Field (1898), and the opening of the grand Kirkwood Hotel (1903) all intertwined. These developments, along with the first organized polo matches and the formal establishment of the Camden Country Club (1900), created the perfect environment for polo to take root and flourish, beginning a legacy that continues strongly today.