By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE golf competition committee in last year’s Micronesian Games claims that after seven months, the Micronesian Games Organizing Committee still has yet to pay $1,728 in accumulated expenses during the golf tournament at the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort and at Coral Ocean Point.
A 23-page report prepared and submitted by golf committee chairman Jack M. Sablan to overall MGOC chairman Rex I. Palacios shows that during the three-day tournament and one-day practice round, the committee’s total expenses amounted to
$3,325.
Of this amount, $1,448 was for playing fees and for the purchase of equipment and apparels at LaoLao Bay, while $280 was for greens fees at COP.
The rest was for food which was paid for by the golf committee through contributions from various sponsors.
Palacios yesterday confirmed receiving the golf committee report on time.
“I assure you that Jack Sablan submitted the golf sub-committee report on time and I am sure that the figures he cites are accurate. I am not disputing this. What I am requesting is this: that the Sports Committee, which is technically the umbrella committee for all sports subcommittee such as golf, baseball, basketball, tennis, micronesian all-around, etc. submit the Sports Committee Report,” Palacios, in an email, said.
Tony Rogolifoi is the sports committee chairman.
Palacios added: “I am sorry to have to keep repeating myself about reports and invoices. We are starting to look like comedians rather than sporting events managers. It’s a good thing the Micro Games is not about rescuing people from a burning aircraft, otherwise rather than laughing at us, people would skin us alive,” he said.
It can be recalled that Palacios was criticized for not disclosing the financial record of the Micro Games, which he said is due to the delayed submission of committee reports that are vital to the completion of his work.
The golf tournament committee initially requested a total budget of $3,132.
Under the budget request, the committee appropriated $1,560 for the practice rounds —$840 for the 12 golfers at $35 per person at COP—and $720 for 12 golfers at LaoLao Bay set at $30 per person.
Records show that the committee requested $1,572 for equipment and apparel that included uniforms, $564; caps, 12 pieces caps for $312; and 12 dozen balls for $696.