New prize offered to the champion of Champions

The Tournament of Champions Organizing Committee announced the addition of a major incentive for golfers entering the ninth annual event, when they revealed that the winner of the Championship Flight in the 2004 Tournament of Champions will receive a free slot to participate in the Johnnie Walker Classic Pro-Am golf tournament.

Whoever emerges from the field of champion flight golfers will be paired with a tour pro in March of 2005, tentatively set for Beijing, China.

“This is the icing on the cake for the tournament,” said one of the tournament coordinators Ben Babauta.

ToC chairman Rodney Klinge believes that awarding a top golfer the all-expense paid trip is more than just a great prize, but another opportunity to bring focus onto the Commonwealth.

“This is good news for the Tournament of Champions, the players, sponsors and the CNMI. Having a player participating in the Johnnie Walker Classic will draw added attention to all. This added attention can only bring good things to the CNMI, the Tournament of Champions and those sponsors and players associated with it.”

Today is the final day to qualify for the $175 early bird registration fee. Those who fail to get their forms for the ninth annual tournament in today will be required to pay $200.

“There’s $6.4 million in potential prizes. There will be $6 million available for the Million Dollar Shootout, two $75,000 prizes for scoring a hole-in-one, five cars and an all-terrain vehicle up for grabs, a couple of $10,000 hole in one purses, and several airline tickets from Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Japan Airlines, and Pacific Island Aviation,” said Klinge

All players must be registered in the tournament no later than 5pm next week Friday, July 30. Due to the size of the tournament and the complexities involved with walk-in entries, walk-ins are highly discouraged.

To enter, pick up a registration form at Las Vegas Discount Golf, Dan Dan Driving Range, the DFS Galleria, any of the Shell gas stations, or at any of the local golf courses. Completed forms should be dropped off on the second floor of the DFS Galleria at the security/administration office. For more information about the tournament, visit the tournament website at www.tocsaipan.org.