Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tournament of Champions targets 200 golfers
By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter
Organizers of the 2009 Tournament of Champions are looking to have 200 golfers playing in the two-day
event at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort.
“As of July 28, we have 110 players and were are hoping to have 200 before the tournament starts this
weekend,” tournament coordinator Ben Babauta said.
Babauta added they are confident to attract more golfers here and off-island after lowering the entrance fee,
while keeping the big prizes in the golfest that will be played for two rounds this Saturday and Sunday
“This year, we lowered our tournament fee to $175 [the fee 14 years ago] all the way until deadline day
tomorrow at 12 noon with the same level of cash prizes, hole in one prizes and other giveaways,” Babauta
said.
First placers in the Champioship, A, B, C, Senior and Super Senior Flights will each receive $600 cash,
$500 to second, $400 to third, a digital camera to fourth, and $100 to fifth.
The Ladies Low Gross champion will take home $600, $500 for runner-up, and $400 for third place, while
trophies will be awarded to Low Net Top 3.
Over $275,000 worth of prizes are at stake in the two-day tournament, including a hole-in-one prize worth
$50,000 on both the east and west course of the Kagman facility.
Two brand new cars-a 2009 Honda Civic from Joeten Motors and 2009 Mazda 3 from Triple J Motors-will
also be given as hole-in-one prizes, while $1,000 will be awarded to closest to the pin winners.
As a side event, organizers will hold a $1-million shootout with each ticket holder having five chances to win
the whopping prize.
Winners will be feted on Sunday at an awards banquet at Laolao Bay's Crystal View Restaurant.
“We have confirmed players from Japan, Korea, Guam, Rota, and Tinian battling our Saipan golfers,”
Babauta said.
Babauta is inviting golfers who have yet to register to turn in their entry forms and participate in the annual
tournament, as part of the proceeds of the event will go to Saipan Beautification Fund.
This year's TOC is supported by platinum sponsors DFS Galleria, Marianas Visitors Authority, and Laolao
Bay Golf Resort. Gold sponsors include Tan Holdings, Aon Insurance, Pepsi, Miller Lite, Triple J Motors,
Joeten Motors, IT&E, and Couture Marketing. Other supporters are silver sponsors Elite Printing and
Docomo and bronze sponsors Marianas Market, G4S, KSPN 2, Asiana Airlines, Triple B Freight Forwarders,
Kautz Glass, Loewe, Chanel, Dickerson & Quinn, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Hana Tour, Sky Castle Limo,
Sunlark Corp., Cargo Express, Hard Rock.
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