TOC lures Guam, Japan golfers

The 16th Annual Tournament of Champions will kick off tomorrow with Guam and Japan golfers joining a field of more than 200 golfers teeing off at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

TOC committee chair Ben Babauta said of over 200 golfers expected to show up in the weekend competition, 130 had already confirmed. Of these, 30 golfers from Guam and eight from Japan will be making the trip over. The event can accommodate a maximum of 288 players. Deadline to sign up and submit the $175 entrance fee is at noon today.

Over $400,000 in prizes is on the table for the seven flights, which includes the Ladies, Super-Senior, Senior, C, B, A and Championship classes. Organizers are considering offering a junior flight next year.

Hole-in-one prizes include a pair of round trip business class tickets to anywhere in the U.S. provided by Delta Airlines on the west course’s hole No. 3; $50,000 provided by AON insurance on west’s hole No. 7 and East’s hole No. 11; a 2011 Mazda 3 provided by Triple J Motors on west’s hole No. 13; a brand new blue 2011 Ford Fiesta from Joeten Motors on west’s hole No. 17; $25,000 from Bank of Hawaii on east’s hole No. 4; two $500 closest-to-the pin chances on east’s hole No. 6; and one year of free golf at Laolao on east’s hole No. 15.

Meanwhile, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial hosted a cocktail party Wednesday night at Hard Rock Café to show his appreciation to TOC sponsors.

“Despite our economic challenges, I am thankful for the continued support of all of these corporate sponsors because the proceeds raised from the TOC is and has always been used to directly help improve tourism on Saipan by maintaining and enhancing destination areas,” said Fitial.

Fitial added the TOC is a worthy cause and is thankful that the event is entering its 16th year.

Babauta also took the podium and discussed some of their current and past projects

“We have recently planted trees in the median on Airport Road and are currently enhancing the Port To Pathway from Smiling Cove to Garapan’s special district area as well as maintaining the flowerbeds in Paseo De Marianas,” Babauta said.

“This year’s proceeds will be used towards some renovations at Bird Island and repairs of the stairways, railings, and some leveling of the area at Mt. Tapochau,” he added.

After the remarks, certificates of appreciation were presented to TOC’s platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsors.

Bronze sponsors include Triple B Forwarders, Rota Water, Kautz Glass, Island Apparel, Hyatt Regency Saipan, DFS Wine Shop and Davidoff Cigars, Chong’s Corporation, and Asiana Airlines.

Silver sponsors are Power 99, Miller-Lite and Pepsi, KSPN 2 and the Visitors Channel, KZMI, Hard Rock Café, Jack Hardy, and Images Saipan Limited.

Triple J Saipan Incorporated, Delta Airlines, Bank of Hawaii, Joeten Motors, IT&E, Shell, AON Insurance, Tan Holdings, Marpac and Budweiser, Saipan Computer Services, Docomo Pacific, and Nike Golf are the gold sponsors.

Platinum sponsors include Laolao Bay Golf Resort, Marianas Visitors Authority and DFS Galleria.

For more information or to register, call Marida Pensader at 236-2530, Rose Wanket at 236-2511 or visit www.tocsaipan.com.