The Kirkwood Polo Field

The Wateree Hounds take immense pride in being the stewards of the historic Kirkwood Polo Field on Polo Lane in Camden. It is a profound honor to play a key role in the conservation and stewardship of a property that not only captures the essence of Camden's distinguished historical epochs—the Revolutionary War and the Resort Era—but also stands as a living testament to the area's rich and multifaceted heritage. The field, a battleground of the Battle of Hobkirk Hill, has witnessed the valor of patriots and partisans alike, fighting for the very freedom we cherish today. In its later years, as the centerpiece of one of the Southeast's most prominent resorts, it welcomed the nation's elite, including industry magnates, influential political figures, and renowned celebrities of their era.
The Kirkwood Polo Field is not merely a venue for our Polo Development Program and The Hounds Polo League; it is its cornerstone. Serving as the only polo field within an hour's drive of Camden, its availability is pivotal to our program's existence. The field's historical significance and its role in promoting polo in the region cannot be overstated. We are deeply grateful to the American Battlefield Trust for their generosity, which has made our Polo Development Program possible. This collaboration ensures that the legacy of the Kirkwood Polo Field continues to thrive, offering both a nod to the past and a forward-looking vision for the sport of polo in Camden.

The Battlefield Trust

The acquisition of the Kirkwood Polo Field by the American Battlefield Trust, in partnership with the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust (SCBPT), symbolizes a crucial victory in the conservation of historic battlefields in South Carolina. This endeavor mirrors the perseverance of Major General Nathanael Greene during the Revolutionary War's Southern Campaign, aiming to preserve not just land but the stories and legacies it holds. The effort to save around 23 acres at Hobkirk Hill is a significant step towards the Trust's broader goal of protecting 2,500 acres of Revolutionary War sites by the 250th anniversary of America's founding conflict, ensuring the valor and sacrifices of the past are remembered and honored.
This preservation initiative highlights the importance of strategic locations within the Hobkirk Hill battlefield, safeguarding areas vital to the Patriot forces, including the right flank and a crucial water source known as "Greene spring." Through the support of the American Battlefield Protection Program, the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, and generous donors, these lands are now protected, keeping alive the history of struggle and resilience they represent. This collaborative effort ensures that future generations can access and appreciate the profound stories of America's fight for independence.

Why Wateree?

After the American Battlefield Trust, led by the late Doug Bostick, acquired the historic Kirkwood Polo Field in July of 2022, a new management solution was needed to maintain and operate the field. The Trust, focused on preserving significant sites for posterity, typically does not manage or maintain these properties directly due to a lack of infrastructure for public access or active use. Therefore, the Trust often collaborates with local organizations aligned with their preservation goals to oversee such tasks.
For the Kirkwood Polo Field, an operational and event-active site, immediate and ongoing maintenance was essential, unlike the simultaneously purchased, overgrown 5-acre lot of the former Kirkwood Hotel which required no urgent upkeep. Recognizing the need for a local, engaged manager for the Polo Field, the Trust connected with an associate of Ned’s, who in turn immediately brought him into the fold. After Co-Chairing the Fine Arts Center Charity Polo Match in 2006 and having mowed it most of that summer Ned had gained a solid understanding of field and its surroundings therefore he immediately stepped in to help out. 
As the grass started to grow and the demand for the field's use increased, Towell was approached to help manage the field in a more official capacity in May of 2023, at which point the idea of a Polo Development League began to grow. This collaboration led to a Memorandum of Agreement between the American Battlefield Trust and Wateree Hounds. Under this agreement, Wateree Hounds takes responsibility for maintaining the Polo Field, in return gaining access to its facilities and rights to use it for their Polo Development League. The arrangement ensures the field's upkeep is funded through donations and income from event spectators, including the prominent Wateree Cup, thereby preserving the field's historical significance and maintaining its role as an active sports and community venue.