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Tournament of Champions tees off Aug. 2 and 3
The biggest golf tournament on Saipan will take place next month with the staging of the 19th Tournament of Champions on Aug. 2 and 3 at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of prizes are at stake in the two-day tournament with golfers having the chance to take home cars and cash as hole-in-one prizes, airline tickets, one year free golf certificate, and other in-kind prizes from around 60 event sponsors.
“We would like to invite golfers to join this year’s Tournament of Champions. We are giving away lots of prizes from our generous sponsors,” said tournament chair Ben Babauta.
As an added attraction to golfers, Babauta said they will be holding the “chip for cash” contest before participants tee off on both days of the competition at the driving range. Babauta explained that in time for the 19th staging of TOC, they will be giving away cash prizes for hole-in-one shots on 19 holes. There will be nine holes worth $50 each, $100 for six holes, $500 for three, and $1,000 for one. Golfers must buy a $1 ticket to participate in the “chip for cash” contest.
Babauta is expecting around 200 golfers for next month’s events, which will have competitions in the Championship, A, B, C, Senior, Super Senior, and Ladies (low gross and low net) flights. The Top 3 finishers in each flight (except Ladies low net) will receive cash prizes with $500 going to the champions, $400 to the runner-ups, and $300 to the third placers. The fourth and fifth finishers will bring home digital cameras and gift certificates, respectively.
Babauta said players from Japan, Guam, and Korea have confirmed their participation in TOC, while they are still waiting for word from golfers from China. A lot of Saipan players have also committed to the competition, while some Tinian and Rota bets are also joining the event.
Entrance fee is $185 for both days. For more information, contact Arthur Miron at 236-2533.
