TOC golf tourney set for Aug. 4 and 5

  The 17th Annual Tournament of Champions golf tournament is set for Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 at Laolao Golf & Resort.

The CNMI’s premiere golf event is expected to be bigger than ever this year with exciting hole-in-one prizes and a chance to walk away with thousands of dollars worth of other prizes.

The entrance fee to participate in the two-day event is $175 per player, which includes admittance to the awards banquet held after the tournament at Laolao’s The Grill Restaurant.

“Naturally, we appreciate the continued support of all of our regular players and encourage new players to turn out this year,” said tournament director Ben Baubauta in a press release earlier this week.

Players can enter in the Championship, A, B, C, Senior, or Ladies flights, accordingly, where $500 cash goes to the winner of the Championship, A, B, C, and Senior divisions. Some $400 will be awarded to the runners-up, $300 for third place finishers, digital cameras go to fourth placers, and $100 Duty Free Shoppers gift certificates will be presented to the fifth place finishers. The lowest gross scores will determine the winners.

The Top 3 Ladies’ gross finishers will receive $500, $400, and $300, respectively, with the Top 3 net score golfers being issued trophies.

Over $300,000 worth of prizes are at stake including hole-in-one prizes worth $50,000 up for grabs on the Laolao’s east and west courses provided by AON Insurance, in addition to two brand new cars sponsored by Triple J Motors and Microl-Toyota.

An ace on the east course’s hole No. 6 will award a year of free golf at Laolao; the closest to the pin winner on east’s hole No. 15 will be awarded $1,000.

Since its inception, the TOC has donated over $500,000 to the Saipan Beautification Fund, which has gone directly to the improvements of the tree-lined medians that stretch from Garapan to the former Palm Resort, as well as to the revitalization of the Garapan special district.

In addition, the TOC has contributed funds for the Paseo de Marianas; lighting the Saipan Beach Pathway; and most recently, beautifying the Port to Park Pathway.

“We are proud of our continued commitment to enhance the beauty of Saipan for our tourists and residents,” stated Babauta.

He added, “It is the generous support of our golfers, sponsor and committee members that make this event possible.”

Last year, Guam’s Louie Sunga seized his third Championship Flight TOC victory in the past four years. He triumphed over 12 other golfers with a one-under 71 on the first day and finished Day 2 with a solid 74 for an overall low gross total of 145. Ju Lee came in second place by just a stroke.

Leina Kim (139) ruled last year’s 22-player Ladies Flight, while Do Hyun Kim (160) was 2011’s A Flight winner, beating a field of 21.

Japanese junior golfer Yoji Ozeki (158) defeated countryman Hisato Komatsu in sudden death to take the top prize in the B Flight, while Lawrence Camacho (164) bested five other C Flight contender. Barry Wilson (155) took the Senior Flight against 15 other competitors.

This year’s TOC is fronted by platinum sponsors DFS Galleria, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. Gold sponsors include AON Insurance, Docomo Pacific, Microl, Y’s Enterprises, Nike Golf, and Triple J Motors.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ben Babauta at 483-2563.

By Walter J. Sutherland
Reporter