![\"Over](\"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/imgupload\/issx9999ns120346.jpg\")
\u00a0 The 17th Annual Tournament of Champions golf tournament is set for Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 at Laolao Golf & Resort.<\/p>\n\u00a0 The 17th Annual Tournament of Champions golf tournament is set for Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 at Laolao Golf & Resort.<\/p>\n
The CNMI’s premiere golf event is expected to be bigger than ever this year with exciting hole-in-one prizes and a chance to walk away with thousands of dollars worth of other prizes.<\/p>\n
The entrance fee to participate in the two-day event is $175 per player, which includes admittance to the awards banquet held after the tournament at Laolao’s The Grill Restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cNaturally, we appreciate the continued support of all of our regular players and encourage new players to turn out this year,\u201d said tournament director Ben Baubauta in a press release earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Players can enter in the Championship, A, B, C, Senior, or Ladies flights, accordingly, where $500 cash goes to the winner of the Championship, A, B, C, and Senior divisions. Some $400 will be awarded to the runners-up, $300 for third place finishers, digital cameras go to fourth placers, and $100 Duty Free Shoppers gift certificates will be presented to the fifth place finishers. The lowest gross scores will determine the winners.<\/p>\n
The Top 3 Ladies’ gross finishers will receive $500, $400, and $300, respectively, with the Top 3 net score golfers being issued trophies.<\/p>\n
Over $300,000 worth of prizes are at stake including hole-in-one prizes worth $50,000 up for grabs on the Laolao’s east and west courses provided by AON Insurance, in addition to two brand new cars sponsored by Triple J Motors and Microl-Toyota.<\/p>\n
An ace on the east course’s hole No. 6 will award a year of free golf at Laolao; the closest to the pin winner on east’s hole No. 15 will be awarded $1,000.<\/p>\n
Since its inception, the TOC has donated over $500,000 to the Saipan Beautification Fund, which has gone directly to the improvements of the tree-lined medians that stretch from Garapan to the former Palm Resort, as well as to the revitalization of the Garapan special district.<\/p>\n
In addition, the TOC has contributed funds for the Paseo de Marianas; lighting the Saipan Beach Pathway; and most recently, beautifying the Port to Park Pathway.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud of our continued commitment to enhance the beauty of Saipan for our tourists and residents,\u201d stated Babauta.<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cIt is the generous support of our golfers, sponsor and committee members that make this event possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, Guam’s Louie Sunga seized his third Championship Flight TOC victory in the past four years. He triumphed over 12 other golfers with a one-under 71 on the first day and finished Day 2 with a solid 74 for an overall low gross total of 145. Ju Lee came in second place by just a stroke.<\/p>\n
Leina Kim (139) ruled last year’s 22-player Ladies Flight, while Do Hyun Kim (160) was 2011’s A Flight winner, beating a field of 21.<\/p>\n
Japanese junior golfer Yoji Ozeki (158) defeated countryman Hisato Komatsu in sudden death to take the top prize in the B Flight, while Lawrence Camacho (164) bested five other C Flight contender. Barry Wilson (155) took the Senior Flight against 15 other competitors.<\/p>\n
This year’s TOC is fronted by platinum sponsors DFS Galleria, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. Gold sponsors include AON Insurance, Docomo Pacific, Microl, Y’s Enterprises, Nike Golf, and Triple J Motors.<\/p>\n
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ben Babauta at 483-2563.<\/p>\n
By Walter J. Sutherland
\nReporter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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