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Five Questions for Scott Devon

By Y.A. Teitelbaum

Sue Blinks and Robin Hood

     Long-time patron Scott Devon is one of the top-rated patrons in the sport. As one of the few patrons in recent history to reach the 4-goal level, Devon knows it takes a lot of time and effort to be effective and productive.
     Devon caught the polo bug from his father, Wes, while living in the Chicago area and remains friends with members of the Butler family who ran Oak Brook in the 1970s and 1980s. Currently, Devon is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he is Chairman and CEO of Cole's Quality Foods. Devon and his wife, Teri, are very supportive of numerous polo charities, including the Polo Players Support Group, the Polo Training Foundation and the Polo Museum and Hall of Fame.
     Devon has been a fixture on the Florida circuit for almost two decades, mainly as patron of Catamount, which has won numerous high-goal tournaments over the years. Catamount was a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2008 winter season in Florida. Devon and Catamount also play during the summer months in medium-goal tournaments throughout the Midwest. On the field, Devon has been instrumental in Catamount's success, whether it's scoring key goals or playing tough, unselfish defense against a top professional.

Sidelines: You've had a great winter season in Florida, winning both 20-goal tournaments at International Polo Club and reaching the 18-goal final at Grand Champions. What's been the key to Catamount's success?
SD: We finished the season strong with a victory in the USPA International Cup in Boca Raton. This came after a disappointing loss the day before in the Grand Champions tournament. Team chemistry was a key for us this year. Todd Offen is our player/coach and directed us to a great year on and off the field. Brandon Phillips played all of our games and was tremendously consistent all year. Nic Roldan won the 20s with us and played with heart and skill. Kris Kampsen replaced Nic in the 18s and showed why he is one of the best up-and-coming U.S. stars. Todd and I made some additions to our string which helped. But the biggest factor has to be the workout time we put in at the gym with Alex Morales and his assistant Diego. We began in December and didn't stop until the day before our last final. We pushed each other as a team, sometimes to extremes, but it was all worth it. Last year I had rotator cuff surgery and never got back into shape after that so I had a lot of work to do. I was also motivated by being lowered to 2 goals from my peak of 4. This is probably our most successful season but we also had a huge year in 2004, winning the Barry, Whitney and losing in overtime in the U.S. Open semifinals, which we might have won if Mike Azzaro hadn't been injured.

Sidelines: How has running a business helped you as a polo player?
SD: Running my businesses has helped me afford to continue to play high-goal polo. I had an opportunity in my mid-20s to maybe play professionally when I played on Revlon's team making it to 4 goals. But my father was correct in not giving me that option. I enjoy business and was prepared to step in and grow my family concerns at a young age after my father became ill in the mid '90s.

Sidelines: How did you get started playing polo? Who were your mentors when you were starting?
SD: I began to play after college in the early 1980s. My dad had played for about 10 years but when I became interested we started to travel and play in Chicago at Oak Brook and soon after in the 14-goal league when Palm Beach Polo first started. Cali Garcia was our first pro and his play inspired me to give it a go. Joe Henderson took me from -1 to 1. Then Augusto Gomez made me into a 4-goal player in the next three years.

Sidelines: What are your polo plans for the rest of 2008 and 2009? Any chance we'll see you return to the 26-goal level or just at the 20-goal level and below? Why?
SD: It all depends on how the handicaps play out. My hope is to stay together. If not, at least to keep our core group. I prefer the 16- to 20-goal level. I can contribute more than I can at 26. Sometimes it seems the 26 is more about setting picks rather than playing four-player polo today. But that level can be exciting with the right players.

Sidelines: Is there anything else you would like to accomplish in the sport of polo?
SD: It would be fun to see my sons play. But my wife and I worry about them getting hurt at a young age. They show interest and seem to have good skills but at the least I want them to be good riders first. As a board member at the Polo Museum and Hall of Fame I am involved in trying to stage a test match between the USA and England for next season. It would be 28 goals. I feel we need to do this and it would benefit USA polo and players in a big way. The Coronation Cup in England draws over 20,000 spectators. And I believe if we are able to promote it properly we could set attendance records in Florida for such an event. And each year build from there with matches against Mexico, Canada, and Argentina and so on. I also see a need for a polo academy in South Florida but funding and operating such a facility are obstacles. But overall polo has been very good to me in my life and I feel fortunate to have played for so long and have such good memories and lasting friendships.

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