MTEC golf tournament set for this weekend

The clock is ticking for the latest Saipan links adventure as the Marianas Tourism Education Council Golf Tournament returns to the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort this weekend, along with list of cash and prizes.

This Saturday, May 14, strikers and shankers will tee up at LaoLao Bay West in one of the five available flights, as the tournament organizers are offering a Championship, A, B, C, and Open Ladies Flight.

Competitors will be placed into each flight and pairings based upon their USGA Handicap. The first place winners will be awarded $400 each for their efforts on the links, and those with the right combination of skill and luck stand to gain one of the four hole-in-one prizes as well.

Aside from the cash prizes for the top finishers, there will be an assortment of undisclosed prizes for the runners up such as room stays at some of Saipan’s premier hotels. Though the top finishers are assured prizes, there will be roundtrip airfare up for grabs during the raffle at the awards banquet.

Following the tournament, participants will retreat to an awards banquet at the Taste of the Marianas where they will receive tokens for the dinner of their choice.

“We picked May because it’s tourism month and MTEC is all about promoting tourism throughout our islands. And what better way than to promote the Taste of the Marianas?” said tournament organizer Jon Cramer.

While out on the course, participants will not only be shooting for the lowest score, but also for special prizes located at specific holes.

“We’ve got four special hole-in-one holes on the course in which participants stand a chance at driving away in one of two vehicles from Triple J Motors and Joeten Motors, or take home additional cash and prizes,” said Cramer.

Participants will also have the added benefit of an assortment of cool beverages along the course provided by Pacific Trading Co.

The entry fee for the tournament is $110, and tickets are available at the Pacific Islands Club, LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and DFS. Checks are to be made payable to MTEC.

The tournament is slated for an 11am show time for all duffers, and a noon shotgun start.

While organizers will be accepting entries up until the start of the event, they prefer all entries before this Thursday. The sooner participants sign up assures them a better chance of swinging the clubs during the tournament as well, as there will be a maximum of 130 golfers permitted in the event.

For more information about the 2nd MTEC Golf Tournament to the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, or to submit payments and applications, contact MTEC committee members Jeff Taylor by calling 483-5338, Jon Cramer at 234-7976, Ben Babauta at 483-2563, or Mark Swinton at 234-6412.