Tournament ready for champions

Months of waiting for the golfing event of the year have boiled down to a matter of weeks as the Tournament of Champions is now a little more than four weeks away from returning to the Laolao Bay Golf Resort for the 10th edition of the island’s biggest weekend on the links.

The organization that has provided such aesthetic improvements to the local landscape as the medians along Chalan Pale Arnold from Garapan to Hotel Nikko, several Garapan beautifications projects, and assisted with the recent completion of the Paseo de Marianas landscaping and lighting is now focusing on reshaping the face of Garapan by adding landscaping, lighting, curbs, and sidewalks from the Bank of Guam intersection to Happy Market with the Tournament of Champions Beautification Fund.

Also in the works are plans to connect the beach pathway to the commercial port so that visitors from incoming cruise ships and naval vessels will have the opportunity to enjoy the island’s beauty while strolling into town.

The 2005 Tournament of Champions will be held on Saturday, Aug. 6 and continue the following day on Sunday, Aug. 7, at one of Saipan’s finest facilities, but duffers interested in joining the annual must-play event can save themselves some money for the 19th Hole by signing up with the $200 early-bird registration fee is by July 29. Procrastinators will have to part with $225, and no entries will be accepted after 5pm on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

While entry forms for the TOC are now available at LaoLao Bay Golf Resort, the DFS security office, at the Saipan driving ranges, and Shell stations in San Roque, Gualo Rai and Susupe, they may also be printed from the TOC website at www.tocsaipan.org, where entrants can also eye the 2005 TOC Events Calendar.

TOC sponsors should take note that while they have player slots available through their sponsorship, the organizing committee still needs all registration forms, preferably prior to Thursday, Aug. 4.

As a reminder to all interested off-island golfers, reduced room rates may be obtained through Dorina Gabutero at the Aqua Resort Club by calling (670) 322-1234. Be sure to mention that you will be participating in the 2005 Tournament of Champions, as the TOC organizing committee will not be able to make reservations for you.