Tournament of Champions set for this weekend

The Tournament of Champions, the premier golf tournament of the year, is set for tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 3. Tournament organizers, including tournament director Ben Babauta, are inviting all golfers to participate in what promises to be one of the most exciting events of the year.

“This is the 19th year that we are having the Tournament of Champions, and every year it gets better,” said Babauta. “I want to thank all the sponsors and the volunteers who have generously given their resources and their time to make this year’s event a great one.”

The 19th Annual Tournament of Champions will be played at the LaoLao Bay Golf and Resort’s East & West Courses. The two-day event is bigger and better than ever with exciting hole-in-one prizes and the chance to win thousands of dollars in possible prizes. The TOC tournament fee is $185.

First place winners in the Men’s Championship, A, B, C, Senior and Super Senior Flights will each receive $500 cash, $400 for second, $300 for third, a digital camera to fourth, and $100 DFS gift certificate for fifth place. The Ladies Low Gross champion will receive $500, $400 for second, and $300 for third place. The first, second, and third place winners of the Ladies Low Net will receive a trophy.

There will be hundreds of thousands worth of prizes that will be at stake in the two-day tournament, including hole-in-one prizes that include brand new vehicles donated by Triple J Motors, Atkins Kroll Toyota (Saipan), and Joeten Motors. Saipan Laolao Golf & Resort is offering one year of free golf as another hole-in-one prize. Delta Air Lines and Asiana Airlines are also offering airline tickets as hole-in-one prizes. Closest to pin prizes will be awarded as well.

Platinum sponsors of the tournament include Delta Airlines, DFS Galleria Saipan, DFS Galleria Guam, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, and Marianas Visitors Authority.

Gold sponsors include Asiana Airlines, Atkins Kroll (Toyota), Chivas Titan Imports, Docomo, IT&E, Joeten Motors, Nike Golf, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc., Saipan Computer Services, Tan Holdings, and Triple J Motors.

Silver sponsors include Christian Dior, KZMI / KCNM, Marianas Variety, Marpac, Miller Lite / Pepsi, Pacific Islands Club, Power 99 / The Kat, and the Wine Shoppe.

Bronze sponsors include Chong’s Corp., Hard Rock Café, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kautz Glass, Marianas Noni, Nic Health, Organic Natural, Stella’s Catering, Taylor Made / Adidas and Triple B Forwarders. Other sponsors of the event will also be recognized.

Special thanks also to the Northern Marianas College, which assisted with the marketing efforts of the tournament.

For player information and to download the registration form, visit www.tocSaipan.com. (TOC)