Mike Azzaro

Biography

Mike Azzaro is one of America's foremost polo professionals — an 8-goal player whose career across the US Open Polo Championship, the Santa Barbara circuit, and the Wellington winter season has made him one of the most recognisable and respected figures in American high-goal polo. His sustained excellence at 8-goal over an extended career, competing against the world's top Argentine and international professionals, confirms him as the gold standard of American-born professional polo. Azzaro's career has centred on two of American polo's premier venues: Santa Barbara, California — the jewel of West Coast polo — and Wellington, Florida, home to the International Polo Club Palm Beach and the US Open. At Santa Barbara, Azzaro is a beloved figure, his career closely associated with the Pacific Coast Open and other West Coast events that form the centrepiece of California's polo calendar. His consistent performances in these events across multiple decades have given him a stature on the West Coast that few professionals can match. In Wellington, Azzaro has competed in the US Open Polo Championship — America's most prestigious polo event — across multiple campaigns, performing consistently against the top Argentine and international professionals who dominate the event's upper echelons. His ability to compete effectively at this level, where 9- and 10-goal Argentines typically hold the balance of power, is a mark of exceptional quality and confirms the gap he bridges between the patron world and the fully professional tier. As one of the relatively small number of US-born players to sustain an 8-goal rating — a level where most professionals are Argentine or South American — Azzaro serves as proof that American polo can produce genuinely world-class players. His career is both a personal achievement and a source of inspiration for younger American players aspiring to the professional ranks.

Career Highlights

Mike Azzaro has built an impressive career on the US polo circuit, competing at the highest levels in both the US Open and the major Florida tournaments. His aggressive playing style and strong competitive instincts have made him a valuable professional for leading patrons on the US circuit.

Clubs & Teams