The Virginia Polo Club’s early years were blessed with a number of hard-working individuals who dedicated their time and energy to building the club from scratch and who then stayed involved after graduation to ensure the club survived. Don Grubbs was one of those individuals.
To quote from his obituary, “At the University of Virginia, Donald was instrumental in starting the Polo Club. In spite of having no background with horses, he went on to become captain of the team and record scorer...He was…extremely generous with his time, humor and comfort.”
Don Grubbs was the original home-grown polo player at the Virginia Polo Club- he learned in the program and was homegrown talent. He stayed in the Virginia Polo Club for nearly a decade while earning his undergraduate degree, Master’s, and finally Ph.D. at the University of Virginia, all the while working and playing at the Polo Club, by the end he was a 2 goal player. He went from a total beginner on horseback to the pro in Richmond one summer at the Deep Run Polo Club- a great achievement born from hard work and dedication.
Don left a positive impression on all those who met him and witnessed his devotion to the club and his work ethic including a young Dick Latham (UVA ‘63). Thanks to Mr. Latham each Spring a member of the Virginia Polo Club will be recognized with an award for embodying the same ethos and diligence Don Grubbs brought to the club. To honor the memory of this esteemed man Mr. Latham has written a few words about Don’s role in the formative year so the Virginia Polo Club.
Don Grubbs at the Virginia Polo Club
Written by Dick Latham
Don Grubbs came to UVA in 1955 or ‘56. Even though he had never played polo and knew little about it, he decided to join the fledgling university Polo Club. Don stayed at UVA Polo and contributed to it in many ways for over a decade.
Grubby, as he was affectionately called by everyone, was a small, extremely nearsighted, laidback, hardworking gentleman. Like all new members in those days, Grubby started by mucking out, walking hots, tacking up for the varsity, cleaning tack and doing whatever else needed doing.
The club was very self sufficient in these early days. All the work was done by the students except for some help from three or four local boys who were paid meager wages.
The polo field was on property owned by Professor Oglesby on Route 29 North on the Rivanna River. It was an outdoor skin field about 200 yards long by 100 yards wide with a cornfield on either end. A scoreboard was on the East end and an announcer’s stand on the North sideline. The field was boarded with 12” boards like a regulation outdoor field. We played three on a side, with an indoor ball for six chukkers.
Like all skin fields, it got cuppy and pretty beat up during a game and needed to be dragged periodically. Before games it needed dragging and watering. To accomplish this we had an old water tank truck of early 1940’s vintage which was also used to pull the drag. It was a slow, cumbersome process which had frequent breakdowns. The club made a deal with Gene Woods, a local mechanic, to maintain the truck. Grubby became in charge of the truck and liaison with Gene Woods. Don was a bit of a “truck whisperer” as he could keep that old thing going when no one else could. Don was the designated driver of the truck and he would drag and water the field before the game and again at the half. He did it at halftime even if he was playing that day! Don, along with Jake Carle and Bruce McPherson, acted as chauffeur, picking up the younger members at the dorms and taking them to the club and back each day. At that time no one could have a car until third year and then only if on the Dean’s List.
Grubby continued to work and play for Virginia Polo while he completed his BS, his masters, and doctorate degrees at UVA. He was there always doing more than required or expected for UVA Polo for over a decade.
After graduation Don continued to support Virginia Polo financially while pursuing a career in the field of geothermal geology with Alcoa. Don developed advanced techniques in his field which resulted in his obtaining over a dozen patents.
By any measure Don “Grubby” Grubbs was one of the most outstanding members of UVA Polo to ever join the Cavalier’s Polo Club. He should never be forgotten.
It is people like Don Grubbs who helped build the foundation of the Virginia Polo Club we know today. We are honored to have had a team member, then alum so devoted to creating a club where following generations could continue to benefit and find joy in learning polo as he did. Our hope is Don Grubbs’ memory will live on with this award and students and alumni alike will follow in his footsteps by remaining involved and supportive for many years after graduating from UVA.
