Japanese golfer shoots hole-in-one
By Mark Rabago
Assistant Editor
Saipan Tribune
The golf gods smiled at the 12th Tournament of Champions yesterday as the skies cleared up, but no one
was more blessed in the first day of the tournament than Japanese par-buster Koji Hashimoto who won a
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer after shooting a hole-in-one in the 17th hole on Laolao Bay Golf Resort's west
course.
Hashimoto, who specifically made the trip to the CNMI from Osaka to take part in the TOC, played in the
Championship Flight of the tournament and made up a field of 168 golfers, a good number considering that
inclement weather the day prior threatened to scrap the two-day event.
The event's media coordinator Andy Tidwell said that Hashimoto hasn't decided yet what to do with the new
car he won from Triple J Motors-whether he will sell it or ship it to Japan.
TOC organizing committee chairman Ben Babauta, meanwhile, congratulated Hashimoto for
accomplishing the feat and said that his hole-in-one is further proof that anything can happen in the islands'
premier golf tournament.
“It's really possible. We proven it today,” he said.
Aside from the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer, two other hole-in-one prizes remain-a 2007 Honda Civic from
Joeten Motors and $50,000 in cash.
Babauta challenged other golfers to go all out and try and duplicate Hashimoto's feat in the second round
today. He also said that aside from the hole-in-one prizes, five $1 million shootouts are still up for grabs.
“Two have identified themselves and the rest of the field should check their tickets so we would know the
other three contestants,” he said.
As for the rest of the players in Hashimoto's division, Edward Flores topped the first 18 holes of the
Championship Flight with a three-over par 75. Defending champion Jess “Mr. Unorthodox” Wabol is a shot
back at three-over par 76, while chief public defender Adam Hardwicke sits at third with a four-over 77.
Babauta said the TOC is only half way done and he expects more pleasant surprises as the second day of
the tournament unfolds today at the Kagman golf course.
“It's another exciting, very exciting year for the TOC. We have a total of 168 golfers taking part in the shotgun
start this morning coming from Japan, Korea, U.S. mainland, Guam, Rota, Tinian, and of course Saipan. I
hope the awesome weekend will continue tomorrow (Sunday) and I will continue to pray for good weather,”
said.
The 2007 Tournament of Champions features three main divisions-Men's, Ladies Low Gross, and Ladies
Low Net.
First place in the Men's Open will take home a trophy and $600 in cash, second place gets a trophy and
$500, third place wins a trophy and $400, while fourth and fifth places walks away with a DVD player and a
$100 gift certificate.
The Top 3 in the Ladies Low Gross will each win trophies and cash prizes amounting to $600, $500, and
$400. Ladies Low Net winners, for their part, will earn first, second, and third place trophies.
Sponsors for the 12th Tournament of Champions are divided into four categories-Platinum (DFS Saipan,
Johnny Walker, Laolao Bay Golf Resort, and Marianas Visitors Authority), Gold (Tan Holdings, Aon
Insurance, Triple J Motors, Pepsi, Miller Lite, Joeten Motors, and Couture Marketing), Silver (Hyatt Regency
Saipan, Capricciosa, Tony Roma's, Louis Vuitton, Pacific Telecoms, Inc., Bank of Hawaii, and Western
Union), and Bronze (Triple B Freight Forwarders, Aqua Resort Club, Bank of Saipan, Dial Rent-to-Own,
Saipan Shipping, Cargo Express, Hard Rock Café, Beach Gal, JC Marketing, Marianas Noni, and Sunlark).
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