Fil-Taga hopes to attract 70 players

Fil-Taga Golfers Association president Ted Malaran said he hopes the club’s 107th Philippine Independence Day Golf Tournament set for next Sunday would meet the expected number of 70 participants.

“This is our biggest tournament of the year. I do hope that all golfers on island would come out and participate in this event,” he said.

Malaran said he is inviting golf enthusiasts from the island’s various golf associations to share a round of putts and swings with Fil-Taga players on the greens and fairways of the Kagman course two Sundays from now.

So far, he said, the Saipan Golf Association has committed the participation of 15 of its players for the event.

Fil-Taga’s 107th Philippine Independence Day Golf Tournament would tee off beginning 12pm on June 19 at the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort west course.

Like previous years, the tournament will have two categories—a member and guest division. Champions for each category will receive $300 cash and a handsome trophy, runner-up $200 and also a trophy, while third-place winners take home $200 and a trophy.

Aside from the cash prizes for the top winners, Fil-Taga also is giving lucky golfers the opportunity to earn more in four hole-in-one prizes.

A Hogan Iron set and $10,000 in cash await the hole-in-one winner on the 3rd hole. A Dell personal computer and another $10,000 in cash will be awarded to anyone who makes a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. A hole-in-one on the 7th hole will net a Hogan Iron set and a Bose radio. Fil-Taga, meanwhile, will giveaway another Dell personal computer and another Bose radio for a hole-in-one on the 13th hole.

As an added bonus, unlike other tournaments Fil-Taga said it would not split prizes if one or more golfers actually hit a hole-in-one in any of the four holes.

The 107th Philippine Independence Day Golf Tournament will have a noon shotgun tee time and a 10:30am show time. Entry fee is $100 and will entitle participants to free green fees and a dinner banquet at the Aqua Resort Club Rey Lounge.

Deadline for submission of entries and entry fee is June 16. Golfers who have not submitted completed entry forms and entry fee could still join but will have a penalty of $10.

Fil-Taga also said that it would be using the Callaway System in determining the handicap of participating players who still don’t have a verifiable handicap.

Entry forms can be picked up and submitted at Express Tour & Travel Agency located at the 1st floor of Paradise Hotel along Middle Road in front of the Commonwealth Health Center in Garapan.

Entry forms can also be picked up at LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, Marianas Country Club, and All-Star Sporting Goods located at the Hafadai Shopping Center in Garapan.

Malaran said part of the proceeds from the 107th Philippine Independence Day Golf Tournament would be donated to the Northern Marianas Junior Golf League.

Last year, newcomer Glenna Palacios fired a net score of 13-under 59 to win the members division, while Ben Jones carded a five-under 67 to rule the guest division.

Established in 1993, Fil-Taga hosts monthly tournaments, which operate under a computer-controlled handicap system that creates parity among players in the A and B Flights. Regular tournaments are scheduled once a month, normally every third Sunday. Green fees are in the $35 to $40 price range for most tournaments.