240 golfers expected for NMC Foundation Open

The 3rd Annual NMC Foundation Open will soon tee off and the organizing committee is urging interested individuals to register as early as possible.

According to committee chair Ivan Quichocho, an anticipated number of 240 golfers will take part in the popular event, and early registration is encouraged to ensure slots for the tournament, which is scheduled on July 2 at the Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort.

“So far everything is moving full speed ahead…the sponsorship effort is ongoing until the week before tournament, and we encourage the public to register as early as possible…to make sure we’ve got you slotted in,” he said.

He said several golfers from Guam and Japan have already registered to compete in the tournament. In case the number of participants exceed 240, Quichocho said the committee would try to accommodate more if possible.

“We want to make sure we keep the competitive spirit and that it’s a professionally run tournament so that the competitors have that environment and they enjoy the round,” Quichocho said.

“It’s a good opportunity for local players to come out and sharpen out their skills and go after major prizes,” he added, citing that another big tournament will be held soon after the NMC competition.

Quichocho disclosed that both the east and west courses will be used during the tournament, with the Championship, A, and B flights occupying the west course and the Senior, C, and Ladies flights using the east course.

Top winners of each flight will receive $500 plus a roundtrip ticket to anywhere Continental Micronesia provides services to, while second and third place winners receive $300 and $200.

Also highlighting the competition are the eight hole-in-one prizes up for grabs, including a 2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab, a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, a Yamaha ATV Grizzly 4×4, a Yamaha Generator EF5200DE, and a Yamaha Engine F-15AMHL and two $25,000 prizes.

Hole-in-one sponsors include Triple J Motors, Microl Corp., Joeten Motors, Aon Insurance, and Bank of Hawaii.

“The Foundation golf committee is hard at work trying to get more sponsors,” Quichocho said. “We want to make sure the college receives the maximum benefits of our efforts.”

Entry fee is $100, which is inclusive of green fees, carts, and admission to the awards banquet to be held following the tournament. Late entries, which take effect after June 30, would cost $125.

A banquet will cap off the day at Hyatt Regency Saipan. Sponsors will also be guests as a cocktail reception at the Saipan Grand Hotel.

“The foundation thanks all the sponsors that have already come to the plate,” Quichocho said.

Sponsors extending their generosity include Herman’s Bakery, Furusato Restaurant, POI Aviation, Tan Holdings Corp., SaipanCell Communications, Pepsi, Saipan Tribune, Microl Toyota, Bank of Hawaii, Triple J Motors, and Joeten Motors.

For more information, please contact NMC at 234-5498 extension 1001 or e-mail daisiec@nmcnet.edu.