Golfing for scholarships a success

Amber Quitano, a nursing student at the Northern Marianas College, is one of the beneficiaries of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Scholarship Golf Tournament last weekend. (Kimberly B. Esmores)

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce held its annual Scholarship Golf Tournament last Saturday, May 22, at the Laolao Bay Golf & Resorts’ west course. It was indeed, a perfect day for golf with perfect attendance, golfers set off with their individual swag bags filled with personalized SCC golf balls, masks. and tournament shirts included with the many amazing items donated by Roil Soil Clothing, Marianas Variety, D&Q Saipan, PHI Pharmacy, Joeten Enterprises, Mobil Marianas, TSL Foundation, StayWell Insurance, and I Love Saipan.

Players were greeted with Herman Modern Bakery’s delicious Danishes and coffee provided by Coca Cola/Foremost Beverage Company as they prepared for the shotgun start. All teams jetted out at 7am into the course excited to scramble for the amazing hole-in one prizes and optional play games provided. Monetary prizes were made possible through the donation of the tournament’s headline sponsors: McDonald’s of Saipan, Kautz Glass Company, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Take Care Insurance, Bridge Capital LLC, Bank of Guam, and the CNMI Board of Education.

Hole-in-one prizes included $5,000 from McDonald’s of Saipan in hole No. 17; a brand new 2021 Toyota Highlander from Atkins Kroll in hole No. 13; in hole No.7 was a bundle of $10,000, and a 2022 Hyundai Tucson donated by United Equipment Rental (UER) and Triple J Motors, and a fabulous 2021 Kia Seltos in hole No.3 from Joeten Motors Co.

Each hole-in-one had a $150 prize for the player who makes closest-to-the pin, donated by Mobil Marianas, Inas’ Kitchen, Matson Navigation Co., and Calvo’s Insurance. Latte Built Fitness & Nutrition took over the Aggressive Drive Contest in hole No. 12, ensuring player’s forms were well. Other hole-in-one sponsors included: AB Risk Solutions, BCM, LLC (Burger-Comer-Magliari), Bank of Hawaii, Dial Rent-to-Own, Docomo Pacific, First Hawaiian Bank, EatsEasy, IT&E CNMI, and Michelob Ultra (MarPac).

It was a great day on the golf course, with birdies and bogies! Players were hydrated throughout the tournament thanks to beverages donated by Marianas Pacific Dist. (MARPAC), Triple J Motors, Coca Cola Beverage Co., Terry’s Snack Bar, and Saipan Water & Ice. Players remarked the great time on the course, the free-flowing beverages, and let’s not forget the delicious player on-course sandwiches donated by Great Harvest Bread Co. Volunteers also shared the enjoyment on the course with refreshments provided by Galaxy II Snack Bar.

Loads of excitement awaited players as they journeyed back from the course at the tournament banquet which followed immediately at the Laolao Bay lobby. To help congratulate the players and winners were Chamber board president Joe Guerrero (Naked Fish Bar & Grill); SCC board vice president and SCC Events Committee chair Shayne Villanueva, SCC board secretary/Events co-chair Marcia Calvo (Calvo’s Insurance), and 2020 Scholarship recipient Amber Quitano.

Between raffling the blackjack double Peoria holes, exciting raffle packages and spilled raffle tickets, players enjoyed a great banquet. All would not be possible with the support of event and raffle prize sponsors: AllStar Sporting Goods, BankPacific, Caravans of Foods, Candle J, Chun Ji Restaurant, D&Q Saipan, Dial Rent-to-Own, E-Land Corporation, Godfather’s Bar, Island Training Solutions, Islander Rent-a-Car, Laolao Bay Golf & Resort, Megabyte, Naked Fish Bar & Grill, Northern Marianas College, R&J Wine-Liquor-Etc., Spn.dylus670, The Athlete’s Foot, and Top Shelf Wine & Spirits.

SCC would also like to extend their gratitude to the amazing group of volunteers; the collaborative efforts of all involved made this event the success it was. Our humble volunteers included friends and families of the following: Empty Vessel Ministry Foundation, Rotary Interact, Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organization, SCC friends Wayne, Nicole, Sam, Saimon, Avery/Ross and 2020 SCC Scholarship recipient Amber Quitano. Special thanks to Saipan Tribune, Marianas Variety, and KSPN.

SCC extends their gratitude to the 2021 tournament players, for their enthusiasm and support of the SCC Scholarship Program and the sponsors who continue to support SCC and its mission to provide opportunity and advancement for our community through such initiatives. Support of this event will help the Chamber continue to fulfill its mission that all our students should be afforded the opportunity to advance to their full potential with the SCC Scholarships. (PR)