When Academy Award nominee Samuel Jackson, and star of "Pulp Fiction'', "A Time to Kill'' and "Die Hard 3'', came to Bermuda last year, he played a few rounds of golf and immediately "fell in love'' with the Island.

Now, he has organised a Celebrity Golf Classic where some of the top stars of film, TV and the world of sport will join forces at Port Royal Golf Course to raise money for two charities -- The Catalogue for Giving, based in New York and for Bermuda's own Council Partners.

"This is going to be an amazing event, publicity-wise, for Bermuda, with millions around the world watching the classic on TV,'' promises Jane West, who with Judyann Smith and Alfreda Samuels is helping to organise the local aspect of the three-day event.

"We are so thrilled that Samuel Jackson has chosen Bermuda and we know that this will be a huge event for both our visitors who happen to be here and for locals, so we're hoping that everyone will come out to see some great golf and join in the fun, as we have a full slate of evening events as well.'' The golf-playing stars who will fly in on the Planet Hollywood jet from California, will include Angela Bassett ("Waiting to Exhale'' and "What's Love Got To Do With It'`), Mykelti Williamson (played Bubba in "Forrest Gump''), Joshua Morrow ("The Young and the Restless''), David Marciano ("Lethal Weapon II''), Vondie Curtis Hall of "Chicago Hope'', Earl Billings ("Crimson Tide''), Alfonso Ribeiro (played Carlton Banks in "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''), Rocky Carroll ("Chicago Hope''), NBA All-Star James Worthy, James McDaniel of "NYPD Blue'', Craig Shoemaker, voted Best Stand-Up Comedian Award for 1997, George Lopez (The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Arsenio Hall Show), writer and actor Eugene Lee (played Oprah Winfrey's son Basil in the NBC miniseries), and Cheech Marin (Cheech and Chong, "Tin Cup'').

It is expected -- and hoped -- that other top celebrities will also be flying in, but organisers are loath to name names until official confirmation is received.

At present, Samuel Jackson is busy completing his scenes in "Sphere'', an action movie being filmed in Sonoma, California, with Dustin Hoffman and Sharon Stone.

"We are delighted that Mr. Jackson, through his vision of `making a difference' in the world, has chosen the Council Partners to benefit from this event,'' says Gordon Johnson of the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

"Through the funding of our programmes he will truly make a difference. We were also involved in the charity fundraiser involving Gen. Colin Powell, so this is now the second major event where we have been fortunate enough to be named as beneficiaries. We feel this is significant as both are very big events. I feel that Samuel Jackson brings a lot of power -- not only as an actor, but through his commitment as a person, as he is a trustee of The Catalogue for giving.'' Explaining that this brings 14 charities, based in New York under one umbrella, all of which are related to the special needs of children, through the concept of the Catalogue being privately funded.

"This means that fully 100 percent of funds donated go to the charity of the donor's choice.'' As arrangements for the tournament are finalised, a total of 400 volunteers are being asked to come forward to help run the Classic event, a mammoth task, but one that is already in hand.

Mrs. Samuels, championship chairman of the Bermuda Golf Association who organises the Bermuda Open each year, needs another 100 volunteers at the Port Royal Club.

"I have 120 already, and we are particularly looking for some younger people who would be willing to drive the celebrities around. Everyone who volunteers will receive a tournament shirts and hats,'' she says. "Our aim is to involve as many people as possible. I doubt if there is anyone on this island who has not been or will be touched by the drugs problem, so we should all take part and come out to support those who are working so hard to rid Bermuda of this scourge.'' Title sponsor for The Samuel L. Jackson Celebrity Golf Classic is ACE Insurance, other major sponsors being Elbow Beach Hotel, which will host the celebrities, the Bank of Butterfield and Planet Hollywood (of which Mr.

Jackson is a shareholder).

This major charity event, which will take place at the Port Royal Golf Course from May 9 through May 11, will be backed up by a black-tie, Gala Dinner on the Friday evening to be held in No. 1 Shed in Hamilton. Saturday will be Comedy Night (also at No. 1 Shed), presided over by George Lopez, when drinks and dessert will be served. It is expected that this event will attract a great many younger people. The comedy session will be preceded by a Celebrity Auction, with Judyann Smith and Andrea Casling wielding the hammer -- assisted, it is hoped, by various celebrities. Prizes, which have not yet been confirmed, are rumoured to be "absolutely spectacular''.

The local orchestra for the evening will be Winston De Graffe's Legacy. Both events will be attended by the celebrities.

There will be a prize-giving after play each day at Port Royal, with Little Venice providing food tents all over the grounds.

The Samuel L. Jackson Celebrity Golf Classic takes places at Port Royal Golf Course on May 9,10 and 11. The Gala Dinner (tickets $150) takes place on Friday, May 9 and the Comedy elebrity Auction takes place on Saturday, May 10.

Mrs. West asks that anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Alfreda Samuels at 292-7507, Jane West at 293-1011 or Judiann Smith at 238-4521.

GOLF STARS -- Local organisers of the Samuel L. Jackson Celebrity Golf Classic (from left), Jane West, Judiann Smith and Alfreda Samuels are appealing for volunteers to help with the star-studded event to be held next month.

GOLF GLF FUND RAISER FNR