IT&E donates 5K to 21st Annual Tournament of Champions

Members of the planning committee for the 2016 Tournament of Champions pose with IT&E representatives and the $5,000 check the telecommunication company donated. The Tournament of Champions will be held on Aug. 6 and 7 at the Laolao Bay Golf and Resort. (Contributed Photo)

Organizers for the highly anticipated 2016 Tournament of Champions Golf Tournament received $5,000 from IT&E as part of the company’s efforts to support community activities that help promote the CNMI as a prime tourist destination.

“IT&E has been a longtime supporter of the Tournament of Champions Golf Tournament,” said IT&E chief operating officer John M. Compton. “We have been impressed by the increasing popularity of the tournament and the positive impact it has made in the community for the past 20 years.”

The 21st Annual Tournament of Champions will be played at the Laolao Bay Golf and Resort’s east and west courses on Aug. 6 and 7. The TOC tournament fee is $200.00.

“IT&E’s donation of cash and exciting prizes help us to build up even more excitement for the Tournament of Champions,” said Ben Babauta, tournament director. “We are extremely thankful for the company’s continued support of the event.”

First place winners in the men’s Championship, A, B, C, Senior and Super Senior Flights will each receive $500 cash, while $400, $300, a GoPro Hero Camera, and $100 DFS gift certificate will go to the second to fifth finishers. The Ladies Low Gross champion will receive $500, $400 will go to the second placer, and $300 to the third. The Top 3 winners in the Ladies Low Net will receive trophies.

Hundreds of thousands worth of prizes are up for grabs in the two-day tournament, including hole-in-one prizes, such as a brand new 2016 Toyota Highlander donated by Atkins Kroll Toyota. Pacifica Insurance is also sponsoring a $10,000 cash prize, while Laolao Golf and Resort is offering one-year of free golf certificate as another hole-in-one prize

Since its inception, TOC has given over $700,000 to the Saipan Beautification Fund which has gone directly to improvements like the tree-lined traffic medians that stretch from Garapan to the former Palms Resort Saipan, as well as the revitalization of the Garapan special district. In addition, TOC also contributed funds for the Paseo de Marianas, the lighting of the Saipan Beach Pathway, and the beautification of the Port to Park pathway.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities for the 2016 TOC, contact Babauta at 483-2563 or Marida Pensader at 236-2530 or Nicole Babauta at 235-2553. For player information and to download the registration form, visit www.tocSaipan.com. (TOC)