‘07 Camry LE at stake in ‘lucky’ hole No. 13

Anything associated with the number “13” is usually considered bad luck. But all of that will change during the NMC Foundation Open this coming April 22 at the west course of the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

The fortunate ball striker who manages to sink a hole-in-one in the 168-yard, par-three 13th hole of the Kagman golf course’s west course will drive home with a spanking new 2007 Toyota Camry LE courtesy of Microl-Toyota. The sticker price for the top-of-the-line sedan is $22,999.

Microl-Toyota financial controller Deanna K. Tessen said the dealership is always more than welcome to extend its helping hand, especially for a cause as big as to benefit the islands’ lone tertiary educational institution, the Northern Marianas College.

“Good times, bad times… education first and foremost. We really do honestly want to be good corporate citizens and we love all educational institutions and NMC is the best cause, isn’t it? So even during the slower times, there is always available help from Microl-Toyota,” she said.

NMC Foundation Open co-chairman Michael von Seibenthal, for his part, thanked the automobile dealership for its sponsorship and added that the private sector really has put its best foot forward in support of the NMC Foundation Open.

“It’s absolute fanstastic! We’re very happy that Microl-Toyota is again teaming up with us and it’s all for a good cause, it’s for NMC,” he said.

The Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager also noticed that there seems to be an insatiable appetite for cars as hole-in-one prizes during golf tournaments.

“Wining cars in hole-in-one competitions are always the biggest draws in golf tournaments. It’s human nature. People always think they’re going to make it even though the chances are very remote. But it can happen as seen the past two years on Saipan,” he said.

His co-chairman Ben Babauta, of DFS Galleria Saipan, said this year’s NMC Foundation Open will feature competition in six flights—Championship, A, B, C, Women’s, and Seniors—with each of the top three finishers in each flight receiving cash and a trophy.

First place winners will pocket $500 plus a roundtrip ticket to anywhere Continental Micronesian flies, except Honolulu and Narita. Second place winners get $300, while $200 will be awarded to third place winners.

Interested golfers can avail of the early bird fee of $85, but must register by April 15 to do so. Golfers registering after April 15 will be required to pay a $100 fee.

The tournament also features several hole-in-one prizes, such as a Hyundai Accent courtesy of Triple J Motors in Hole No. 3, $25,000 from Bank of Hawaii in Hole No. 7, and $25,000 from Aon Insurance. Caronel Watch Center also sponsors the hole-in-one challenge.

For more information about the NMC Foundation Open, contact NMC at 234-5498 extension 1000 and look for NMC Foundation executive director Mark Mendoza or email him at markm@nmcnet.edu.