Final details of a celebrity golf tournament, which is expected to raise a quarter of a million dollars, were revealed yesterday.

Samuel L. Jackson Celebrity Golf Classic organiser Tom Godber said as a result of the tournament Bermuda would be showcased around the world to an estimated 12 million viewers.

Speaking during a media luncheon at the offices of one of the tournament's major sponsors, ACE Insurance, Mr. Godber said 30-, 60- and 90-minute segments on the tournament will be produced and aired later on television stations around the world. New Zealand, Australia, France, England, Canada and the US have all expressed interest so far.

And an array of celebrities have signed up to attend the May 9 to 11 event, including Will Smith of the box office hit "Independence Day'', "Waiting to Exhale'' star Angela Bassett, Joshua Morrow who plays Nick Newman on the daytime soap opera "The Young and the Restless'', and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Pete.

The celebrities will fly into Bermuda on May 8 via private jets courtesy of sponsor Planet Hollywood.

The next morning the stars will hit the links for the Corporate Challenge Golf Tournament.

Mr. Godber said to date 50 percent of the corporate foursomes were sold.

And to entice other businesses to join, the price was dropped from $18,000 to $12,000 for two days of golf. The price, he said, also included entry to all evening events.

For those single golfers eager to play a Saturday round with the stars, Mr.

Godber said it would cost $1,250. That price included entry to the Comedy Night Benefit, Auction, and Dessert Party at the Number One Shed on Front Street on May 10.

Some of the items that will be up for auction are two trips for two to Hollywood to tour the set of "The Young And The Restless'', a trip for two to a Planet Hollywood Grand opening in June and a signed movie script of the soon-to-be-released movie, "Sphere'' which stars Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Mr. Godber said all of the celebrities will take part in the Celebrity Golf Championship on Sunday.

The public was invited to attend all the events. Mr. Godber said admission would be free to the all the golf events while tickets to the Friday night black-tie gala dinner would be $150 per person, and $50 for the Saturday night Comedy Benefit. Tickets can be obtained by calling The Council Partners at 295-5982.

Those who do not attend the evening events will still be able to take part in the festivities, Mr. Godber added.

"The public can come down to Front Street, which will be partially cordoned off, and see the stars arrive and get their autographs,'' he explained. "We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to see them.'' The Catalog for Giving and The Council Partners Charitable Trust will split what organisers hoped would be some $250,000 in proceeds.

Mr. Godber also revealed the tournament would have youth ambassadors, two from New York and two from Bermuda, who would attend all the events to "represent the spirit of the event''.

DRUGS DGS