What could more fun than whizzing around in a zippy golf cart (wearing a helmet, of course), swerving from side to side as you hold on to a long-handled mallet and try with all of your might to beat your opponents by hitting a tiny ball into a giant net?
This is just a taste of the fun that can be had at the Empire Polo Club (760.342.2762; www.empirepoloevents.com) in Indio.
With picture-perfect views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the club sprawls over 200 acres and features everything from a rose garden to a giant indoor enclosure for groups to enjoy. Not to mention private exhibition polo matches played by professional polo players (on horses this time).
Upon entering the property, meeting planners and their guests are immediately escorted through a walkway lined with Romanesque sculptures leading to a beautifully manicured rose garden.
“Most people have never had the pleasure of having dinner among 7,000 rose bushes,” says Summer Parkinson, sales director at the club.
In addition to its outdoor space, the rose garden, adjacent to the polo field, encompasses a 5,000-square-foot indoor pavilion, making planning a pre- or post-lunch golf cart polo match all the more convenient.
Just a short walk away is Medjool Lake. Stepping foot on the 10 acres surrounding the lake is like entering a tropical rainforest. Paved trails snake their way through the area, ending up at the soaring Olympic Peak Tents, which offer 24,000 square feet of covered event space. Even better, the lake area is located adjacent to the polo field, serving as a prime viewing spot for exhibition matches.
“Most of our corporate clients are looking to do something really special and this is where they find the wow factor,” Parkinson says.
On another side of the property, groups are greeted by a massive horse statue named El Toro. Standing at attention, El Toro salutes guests as they enter Hacienda del Toro, another outdoor hot spot for group gatherings at the club.
Set in the midst of lushly landscaped gardens, Hacienda del Toro is a favorite for groups that want a little outdoor privacy. In addition to its gardens, the area also features a bird aviary, waterfalls and a 16,000-square-foot tented area complete with power and lighting capabilities.
The Tack Room Tavern, an on-property restaurant, is another place for group events at the club. The venue can accommodate up to 100 guests for a meal and is also connected to the tented Palm Court, which offers an additional 8,000 square feet of space for up to 500 guests.
Meanwhile, The Forum is the polo club’s largest indoor structure. At 48,000 square feet of pillar-less space, The Forum can host group events ranging from trade shows and product launches to private concerts and client events.
“A visit to the Empire Polo Club is the icing on the cake,” Parkinson says. “If you really want to pamper your clients or your employees, this is how you do it.”
