HANMI charity golf offers bevy of prizes

It just keeps getting better.

Prizes for the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands’ 4th Charity Golf Tournament now include a 2005 Toyota Rav4, a 2005 Mazda3, and roundtrip tickets to Japan, Manila, Korea, Australia, and the U.S.

“As an organization that promotes the hotel industry of our islands, HANMI hosts this event each year to help reach out and provide education about tourism as well as assistance to the community,” said HANMI chairwoman Lynn Knight.

“In past years, the funds we have raised have been used for a variety of charitable purposes and activities which further our vision of community betterment and a healthier tourism industry. This year the event will be extra special as we kick off the 20th anniversary of our hotel association,” she added.

Ed Salas, who heads the HANMI golf committee, said hole-in-one prizes for the annual tee-off include a 2005 Toyota Rav4 4×4 (Hole No. 3), $20,000 (Hole No. 7), a 2005 Mazda3 (Hole No. 12), and $25,000 (Hole No. 14).

Salad said Japan Airlines has also committed a roundtrip ticket to Japan and another roundtrip ticket at 50 percent off, while Continental Airlines will issue roundtrip tickets to Manila and Australia.

Salas said Northwest Airlines would provide a roundtrip ticket to Hawaii or anywhere in Asia. He likewise said Asiana Airlines would give out a roundtrip ticket to Korea.

Local sponsors include the Japan Saipan Travel Association, Saipan Shipping and Nippon Travel, the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association, Triple J Motors, Microl Corp., Shell Marianas, Bank of Hawaii, Sandcastle and Ambyth Shipping among others.

“So far, we have received the support from the following businesses and more are expected to support the tournament as it draws nearer,” said Salas.

The golf tourney will be held on April 2, 2005 at the Coral Ocean Point Resort golf course. Tournament fee for early birds, with payment made on or before March 29, 2005, is $125, inclusive of green fee, awards, prizes and banquet. Entry fee after March 29 is $150. Showtime for the HANMI 4th Charity Golf Tournament is 10:30am and shotgun starts at noon.

Handicap for the Championship Flight is 0 to 5; handicap for the A Flight is 6 to 10; handicap for the B Flight is 11 to 16; and handicap for the C Flight is 17 and over.

The tournament committee reserves the right to review and amend all players’ handicap, according to Salas.

Organizers said maximum entries for the HANMI 4th Charity Golf Tournament is 150 players.

Entry forms are available at COP Resort, Marianas Country Club and all HANMI members. Proceeds of the event will go to HANMI’s charity fund.

The HANMI tournament committee is composed of representatives from HANMI members.

It is co-chaired by Michael von Siebenthal, Hyatt Regency general manager. Also in the committee are Knight, Jerry John, Pacific Islands Club resident manager; Yutaka Fujita, Hotel Nikko Saipan general manager; Yoshiro Kishimoto, COP Resort general manager; Paul Camacho, Dai-Ichi Hotel duty manager; Juko Ishikawa, World Resort Saipan rooms director; Dave Jones, former Hyatt Regency executive chef; Thomson Palik, assistant manager of COP Resort’s Pro-Shop; Becky Castro, Triple J Wholesale general manager; Yoichi Matsumura, Pacific Development Inc. general manager; Mike Pai, Saipan Sunset Cruise general manager; Joe Asanuma, Mariana Resort and Spa personnel manager; and Faheem Ebrahim, spa and fitness director at Hyatt Regency’s Club Elan. (PR)