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TOC donates $36K to landscape ‘Port To Park’ pathway
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Posted on May 12 2008
The Tournament of Champions recently donated $36,000 to assist with landscaping the “Port to Park” pathway that was recently installed.
TOC chair Ben Babauta said the donation was made through funds raised by its annual golf tournament that benefits the Saipan Beautification Fund.
TOC—in its 13th year—has become the premier golf tournament in the region.
This year’s tournament will be played on Aug. 2 and 3 at Laolao Bay Golf Resort. With 288 players scheduled to play this two-day tournament, TOC looks forward to raising more money for the Saipan Beautification Fund.
Over the past 12 years, TOC has raised in excess of $500,000 for the fund.
“TOC was enthusiastic about donating to this very worthwhile project,” said Babauta. “Continuing to raise funds to enhance the beauty of Saipan remains our No. 1 goal.”
Entry forms may be picked up at the second floor executive offices at DFS Galleria, at LaoLao Bay Golf Resort or online at www.tocsaipan.com .
Jess “Mr. Unorthodox” Wabol won his second straight Tournament of Champions title in last year’s 12th TOC at the Laolao Bay golf Resort.
Wabol bested 12 other golfers and tamed the east and west course at Laolao by shooting a two-day total of 150 for a four-shot lead over closest pursuer and opening day leader Edward R. Flores 154 (75-79).
Wabol shot a 76 in the first day of competitions but bounced back with a 74 in the final day to snatch the TOC Championship Flight title from Flores’ hands.
The former Oleai Elementary School principal also won the TOC Championship Flight in 1998, 2000, and 2006. Ladies Flight veteran Noriko Togawa had the most number of wins with six including a string of five straight victories from 2001 to 2005.
Also completing her second consecutive title was rising teen golfer Leina Kim in the Ladies Flight. She posted a 15-stroke lead over Togawa, who won the inaugural event in 1996.
Other division winners were Gi Yeong Kim (A); Edward H. Cho (B); Gerald Guerrero (C); Ed Manibusan (Seniors); Lito Mendoza (Super Seniors); and Rose Tarpley (Ladies Low Net).
Japanese golfer Koji Hashimoto, who made the trip to Saipan from Osaka to join the TOC, also made a hole-in-one in the first day of the tourney. The Saipan tourist aced the 17th hole of Laolao’s west course to win a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. [B][I](Mark Rabago)[/I][/B]
