Friday, July 18, 2008
By Mark Rabago
Assistant Editor
The 2008 Tournament of Champions will have an additional category this year, as the premier golf
competition in the region added a two-day double Peoria to its bevy of prizes.
In an interview last Wednesday, ToC organizing committee chair Ben Babauta said they tweaked the format
this year to ensure better participation from the region's golf enthusiasts.
He also acknowledged that the double Peoria format has been quite popular recently because it levels the
playing field for all entrants.
Babauta said the double Peoria category will have the same cash and in-kind prizes set aside as the
regular categories-Championship Flight, A Flight, B Flight, C Flight, Seniors and Super Seniors flights as
well as the Ladies Low Gross.
First place in the said flights and the double Peoria category takes home $600, second place is $500, and
third place is $500. Fourth place gets a DVD player, while fifth place bags a $100 gift certificate from DFS
Saipan.
The 2008 Tournament of Champions is set for Aug. 2 and 3 at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.
The early bird registration for TOC continues until July 25. The registration fee is $200 per player and moves
to $225 after July 25. You may register at the DFS Galleria Saipan Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am
and 5pm. You may pick up entry forms at DFS or any of the golf courses on Saipan. You may also download
it at www.tocsaipan.com.
According to Babauta, five lucky players in this year's tournament will also have an opportunity to win $1
million each in this year's Million Dollar Shootout.
To enter the Million Dollar Shootout, you must be a registered player in TOC. You may purchase raffle tickets
for $1 each to enter the shootout.
The tickets will be sold on Day 1 of the tournament. Five raffle tickets will be drawn and those lucky winners
will have one shot each at a hole-in-one before teeing off on Aug. 3. If you are successful with the
hole-in-one you will walk away with $1 million. If your ticket is not chosen, you will still be in the raffle
drawing at the banquet to be held at the Saipan World Resort at 6pm on Aug. 3.
This year's TOC will mark the 13th year of the tournament on Saipan. Since its inception, TOC has given
over $500,000 to the Saipan Beautification Fund. This money has been used for the traffic medians from
Garapan to the Palms Resort Saipan, the revitalization of the Garapan special district, the enhanced
beautification of the Paseo de Marianas, lighting of the Beach Pathway, landscaping on the port to path
walkway and other beautification projects.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 TOC, please contact Andy Tidwell of
Couture Marketing at 234-1305 or via email at andytidwellsf@yahoo.com.
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