Coupe Charles Combier 101 celebrates Aiken resident's longevity

Sep. 26—After celebrating his 101st birthday earlier this month, Charles Combier said he was enjoying himself "immensely" during a special event held in honor of his longevity Sept. 24.

The site was David Meunier's La Bourgogne polo center on Coleman Bridge Road between Aiken and Wagener.

During the Coupe Charles Combier 101, the festivities included two polo games and an Argentine — style barbecue.

Attendees included Combier's three children, 10 or so other family members and members of a club he belongs to, Alliance Francaise d'Aiken.

Combier's wife, Madeleine, who died in 2008, was among the co-founders of the organization.

"I could be dead, you know, but I'm not dead, and that is a feat in itself," Combier said. "And it's not only that I'm alive because I'm also in good health and my head is altogether fine. I'm a little hard of hearing, but I think I'm extremely lucky. I'm eating well and enjoying good wine."

As Combier talked, he sat at a table between his daughters, Catherine Combier-Donovan and Anne Elmerick.

"It is great to be able to enjoy being with him on a regular basis," said Elmerick, who lives in Greenville. "I come to Aiken every week. My brother (Philippe) comes regularly, and my sister does as well. We are so fortunate to be able to spend time with him. He tells us all these stories of his past. He has an amazing memory."

A native of France, Combier is a retired textile engineer and co-founder of the Whiskey Road Foxhounds.

Meunier, who also was born in France, is a fellow member of Alliance Francaise d'Aiken.

Last year, Meunier organized a 100th birthday party for Combier that also was held at La Bourgogne, and he wanted to commemorate his friend's longevity again.

"We have a meeting (of the Alliance Francaise) every month," Meunier said. "One of the topics was about polo, and I gave a speech. Then during the annual Alliance Francaise dinner, I said, 'You know what, Charles, I'm going to do a polo game for you,' and that's when it started."

Two matches were scheduled when the plans were finalized.

In the first, a preliminary contest that featured female players, the Barbarians beat France, 6-5.

In the main match that followed, the Barbarians also won, defeating France 7-6.

Combier awarded the trophies after both games.

Even though Meunier was on the main match's losing team, he was named the most valuable player.

During the Coupe Charles Combier 101, spectators gathered in and around the new, three-story Anthony Francois Meunier Pavilion.

The structure is named for Meunier's late son, who died in August at the age of 22 in a single-vehicle crash.

Prior to the start of the main match, the national anthems of France and the US both were played.

There also was a moment of silence for Anthony Meunier and Henry Cato, a former member of the Aiken Polo Club's board of directors who died in August at the age of 67.