NMC tourney raises over $100K, reduces player fees

Due to what the NMC Foundation has termed an “unprecedented success” in fundraising efforts through corporate donations, its golf committee has voted to reduce fees for individual players in the upcoming NMC Foundation Open on June 26-27, 2004. Early player entrance fees will be reduced from $200 to $150, with a late fee from $300 down to $175 for anyone who signs up after June 23.

Golf great Bruce William Devlin will play in the two-day benefit tournament at Kingfisher Golf Links to help the Northern Marianas College Foundation raise funds for higher education.

“We have already raised more than $100K in cash donations—actually doubling our goal of $50K—so we have decided to pass some of this benefit back to the players,” said NMC Foundation president Jerry Tan. “With a pro like Bruce Devlin attending the event, we want to make sure that more people have the opportunity to play with this great golfer who is volunteering his time to help us raise money for the college.”

According to Tan, the organizing committee has also agreed to lower the price for a golf clinic that Devlin will teach as part of the fundraising activities on Friday, June 25. The fee will go down to $60 from $90 for a one-hour session, $100 for a two-hour session and $125 for the three full hours of the clinic, which will start at 1:00 p.m. at Kingfisher Golf Links.

A very accomplished golfer, Devlin turned professional in 1961 and is an 8-time winner of the PGA Tour. He won the Senior PGA Tour in 1995 and is also well known as a professional golf commentator. He has been involved in designing and building over 140 golf courses around the world.

“The chance to play and get some personal tips from Bruce is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of us, and certainly a first for Saipan. We’re greatly looking forward to welcoming Mr. Devlin to the island and are so pleased that he has generously agreed to join our tournament and offer the clinic,” said Tan.

A committee of Foundation board members and business volunteers has been soliciting corporate donations and planning this major event for the college for the past six months. The committee is co-chaired by businesspeople and NMC Foundation board members, including Jerry Tan, Ivan Quichocho, John Cox, David Burger, Lynn Knight, Youichi Matsumura, Michael Von Siebenthal, Joanna Pai, David Atalig, Reina Camacho and Tony Satur of NMC.

Entry forms and sign ups for the tournament and clinic are being accepted at NMC, Kingfisher Golf Links, the Saipan Tribune, and Century Hotel front desk. For anyone who has already signed up and paid at the original higher fees, the organizing committee has said they will reimburse the difference in cost during the first day of the event.

For more information, call the college at 234-5498, extension 1000/1007 or Tony Satur at 888-3324.