Johnnie Walker to host TOC sponsors, players

All players registered to compete in the 10th Annual Tournament of Champions, as well as generous sponsors supporting the event, will receive a special treat the day before the tournament.

According to 2005 TOC organizing committee chairman Rodney G. Klinge, Johnnie Walker has confirmed hosting a cocktail party for the players and sponsors’ honors on Aug. 5 at the Aqua Resort Club Lobby Bar. The party will be held from 6pm to 8pm.

“This will provide an excellent venue for the sponsors and players, [from] both on island and off island, to gather and mix on the evening before the tournament start date,” Klinge said in a statement.

Klinge said the event is similar to the Golfer Behind the Bar event, which Johnnie Walker hosts each year at the Johnnie Walker Classic.

“The event always provides a good social environment,” he said.

Next year’s Johnnie Walker Classic will be held in Perth, Australia and winners of the various flights in the TOC will have their names raffled to determine who from the TOC will take part in the Classic.

Tickets for Johnnie Walker beverages will be available for purchase at $3 a piece, and individuals are not limited on how much tickets can be purchased. The event will also feature raffle prizes.

Klinge also added that Johnnie Walker would be donating all proceeds from the event to the NMI Crime Stoppers program.

Also, the TOC organizing committee will also have available the pairings for the first day of tournament competition. All pairings will be final.

“The Tournament of Champions organizing committee is encouraging all sponsors and players in this year’s tournament to come out and meet and greet all of those participating in the tournament and help support your NMI Crime Stoppers program,” Klinge said. “Your Crime Stoppers program is helping to make the CNMI a safer place for visitors and residents alike.”

The TOC will be held on Aug. 6 and 7 at the Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort featuring competition in the Championship Flight, A Flight, B Flight, C Flight, Senior Flight, Super Senior Flight, Ladies Low Gross, and Ladies Low Net.

At stake are cash and in-kind prizes as well as a year’s worth of bragging rights. First place winners receive $600, second place $500, third place $400, fourth place a DVD player, and fifth place $100 DFS merchandise coupon.

Top three finishers in the Ladies Low Net competition will also receive trophies.

Registration before July 29 will cost $200 and increases to $225 after the mentioned date. No entry forms will be accepted after 5pm on Aug. 3 and no walk-ins will be allowed.

The TOC also features “The Million Dollar Shootout” as well as various hole-in-one prizes.

For more information on this year’s TOC, contact Klinge at 236-2590, 285-6604, or 233-1891, or Ben Babauta at 236-2563, 285-2563, or 233-1891.