$200K at stake in Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament

From left, Inaugural Ronald McDonald House Charities Golf Tournament director Vicente “Ben” Babauta, McDonald’s Human Resource manager Ana Olaes, tournament committee member Das Krishnan, McDonald’s executive assistant to the president Natalie Mable A. Glenn, and tournament committee member James Nelson. Above on video call are, from left, McDonald’s of Guam & Saipan Marketing director Divina Evaristo, McDonald’s president and CEO Joe C. Ayuyu, McDonald’s Saipan owner/operator Marcia E. Ayuyu, and McDonald’s vice president Joe Ayuyu Jr. Photo was taken during the announcement of the tournament last June. (MARK RABAGO)

McDonald’s Saipan and Guam will be hosting the inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament this Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resort.

The local franchisee of the fast-food giant won’t be giving away just McDonald’s Happy Meals to the winners of the medal play competition, as according to tournament director Vicente “Ben” Babauta, potential prizes for the first-ever Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament can go up to as much as $200,000.

“There’s close to about $200,000 in possible prizes up for grabs and that includes a 2021 Lexus NX from Atkins Kroll, a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SE from Triple J Motors, and $10,000 cash each from Bank of Saipan and United Equipment Rental,” he said, alluding to the hole-in-one prizes.

Aside from the outrageous prizes for an ace, $500 also await the winners of the A flight, B flight, C flight, ladies flight, seniors flight, and super seniors flight. Runners-up will have to settle for $300, while third placers still go home with $200.

Babauta said there’s absolutely no room at the inn as all slots for the Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament have all been taken.

“The most important thing is just the overwhelming support of the local golfers. We have 141 confirmed golfers. Honestly, it’s been fully booked since Nov. 26 so we had to close it by Monday, Nov. 29, and to think the last day to register for the early bird was Nov. 30! So you know it’s full and it’s all quite exciting,” he said.

Part of the 141 registered golfers is a contingent from the CNMI’s southern neighbor, Guam.

“Guam golfers include 10 from the MARPAC team of Guam. They will be flying their own plane over. There’s also a couple of corporate guys from McDonald’s and some Matson representatives. There will also be 2-3 Guam golfers heading here as well,” he said.

Aside from the full-to-capacity entries, Babauta also said the tournament has been blessed with a parade of sponsors, 60 to be exact.

“It’s gift-giving season so a lot of companies out there are very supportive of this event. On behalf of the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ayuyu and Team McDonald’s Saipan and Guam, we’d like to thank each and every sponsor for reaching out and supporting this very important cause,” he said.

Babauta said as tournament director his heart is full to the brim with the outpouring of support, especially if one realizes the main purpose of the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities.

“As we know we do have quite a few Micronesian families that are depending on the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities and it’s quite helpful for any family needing accommodations and just basically providing housing for low-income families that are not able to afford accommodations. This is quite important for us as we’ve managed to raise thousands of dollars already and we have yet to hold the McDonald’s golf tournament.”

Established in 1987, the Ronald McDonald House Charities has helped over 38,000 families from the CNMI, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and Hawaii. It’s not directly affiliated with McDonald’s Corp. or any of its restaurants and relies heavily on the support of the community to continue delivering services for those in need.

As for the $64,000 question if whether Ronald McDonald will make an appearance at Kagman golf course? Babauta gamely said that’s for him to know and for the for the golfers to find out come this Saturday. “That’s a surprise!”

The inaugural Ronald McDonald House of Charities Golf Tournament will have a showtime of 6am and a shotgun start of 7am.