HANMI Charity Golf Classic set for June 2

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands is hosting its 11th Charity Golf Classic Tournament on June 2 at the Marianas Country Club starting at 7am.

In addition to supporting a good cause with a full day of golf, the first 144 entrants to sign up will get a chance to win enticing cash and other in-kind prizes.

Proceeds of the event will be contributed to various community charities.

Specifics were not provided, however HANMI has previously supported Crime Stoppers, the Department of Public Safety’s Bike Patrol program, PAWS, the skate park in Chinatown, the Victims Assistance Fund that benefited victims in the tragic 2009 shooting incident, and the Saipan Marathon, among others.

HANMI has also allocated $20,000 toward the Mt. Tapochao Development Project, which is being overseen by the Marianas Visitor Authority.

The first place winners of each flight will win a trophy, a $500 cash prize, and a hotel stay at one of HANMI’s member hotels.

Second place winners will be presented with $300 and a trophy and $200 and a trophy goes to the third place finishers.

“We encourage all golfers to mark their calendars for this year’s 11th HANMI Classic. As in years past, we’re looking forward to offering another round of alluring prizes both on the course and during our awards banquet raffle drawing,” said tournament chair Takahiro Omori in a recent press release.

The early bird tournament fee is only $100 for payments received by 5pm on May 31. The early bird fee includes green fee and a single admission to the awards banquet.

The entrance fee increases to $120 on Friday, June 1.

For another $20 players can also enter to compete in the closest to the pin, most accurate drive, and longest drive side games.

The event features a Championship, A, B, C, Senior (55 and above), and a Ladies flight.

Championship Flight golfers must hold a handicap between 0 and 5; A Flight golfers must yield a handicap of 6-10; B Flight must range from 11-17, and C Flight players at 18 or higher.

Podium winners of the Ladies Flight will be determined using a double Peoria handicap system.

Saipan resident Jason Yi grossed a 74 last year at COP to win the 12-player Championship Flight.

Other winners included A Flight’s J.J. Atalig (80), B Flight’s John Cepeda (80), C Flight’s Suk Joo Park (83), Senior Flight’s Edward Manibusan (76), and Ladies Flight’s Leina Kim (net 71.4).

Notables among the 2011’s winners included Saipan Southern High School’s Park, who is now a sophomore, and Ladies champ Kim who was enjoying a home visit during her college break at Colorado State University in Pueblo.

Registration forms will soon be available at the Marianas Country Club, Coral Ocean Point Resort Club, Laolao Bay Golf Resort, Fiesta Resort & Spa, and Hyatt Regency Saipan.

For more information, contact Catherine Rosario Perry at 483-8433.