Hyatt golf tourney delivers for the community

Hyatt Regency Saipan general manager Nick Nishikawa said the annual Hyatt Charity Golf Classic has become an important part of the community, as it has been helping countless organizations for more than two decades.

The 22nd edition of Hyatt Regency Saipan’s signature fundraising tournament was held last April 7, with 14-year-old Edward Lee successfully earning his second Championship Flight White Bathrobe after playing steady in the 18-hole of Laolao Bay Golf & Resort’s west course. The White Bathrobe has been the Hyatt golf’s version of the Green Jacket given to the winner of The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

“Every Hyatt GM meeting that I attend, they always ask me about the golf tournament. It has somewhat become a popular event in the Asia Pacific region,” said Nishikawa during yesterday’s donation presentation to the six beneficiaries of the fundraiser.

“It has become famous and one of the exciting tournaments on the island. We understand its importance and we’ve become part of the community, a community that we continuously support as they have also supported us through the years.”

The golf tournament raised a total of $65,000 with the Make-A-Wish Foundation Guam and the CNMI—its regular beneficiary—receiving $15,000. Five other organizations—the Center for Living Independently in the CNMI, the Dandan Middle School STEM and Garden Club, Saipan Paddling Club, Salvation Army, and the 670 Sonics—got $10,000 each.

The representatives of the six organizations thanked Hyatt for the donation. The five groups that received $10,000 noted that every year Hyatt officials and the golf tournament organizers have difficulty selecting which group would be the recipients of the proceeds from the event so they are fortunate to be chosen this year.

Hyatt food and beverage director Ty Pauling said they usually start meeting for the next tournament sometime in November and they form a team of 20 to 30 of their staff to be part of the organizing committee.

“Mark your calendars, the next tournament will be on April 27. The organizing committee would start planning by November and we will also begin sending out solicitation letters to potential sponsors,” said Pauling. “This year, we have Robing Sapong and Zen Tomokane as tournament co-directors. We have an amazing support staff that has worked tirelessly as members of the committee. We’re just a funnel, a vessel for the community.”