Organisers of this year's Celebrity Golf Classic are insisting that the show will definitely go on -- even though the main sponsors have pulled out of the event.

And they promise that the charity tournament, scheduled to take place in June, will be even bigger than last year, with more celebrities staying on the Island for a longer period.

Worries that the tournament would be cancelled arose yesterday after insurance giants ACE Limited announced they were pulling out of the event.

But Tom Godber, president of Canadian Connection, the marketing company managing the event, last night insisted that a large proportion of sponsorship cash had already been secured.

And he is confident that other sponsors will be found by the end of the month.

Charities will also not lose out because of ACE's withdrawal. Yesterday the company announced that, although it was no longer sponsoring the event, it would be donating a massive $125,000 to the Council Partners CHaritable Trust.

The donation matches the amount raised for the charity in last year's event.

Last night Mr. Godber told The Royal Gazette : "The tournament is definitely going ahead.

"We still have 66 percent of the sponsorship money. ACE were putting up 33 percent which allowed them to be title sponsors for the event. But it's commendable for them to announce they are pulling out now because it gives us time to get more sponsors.

"It certainly doesn't leave us in the lurch. Last year we didn't have 66 percent of the sponsorship at this time.

Mr. Godber said the remaining sponsorship cash, which is used to pay for such things as hotel and course expenses, could come from either one of the five smaller tournament sponsors or from a new company.

And he added that the minor knock back had not stopped his team continuing to prepare for the tournament.

"We have got two-and-a-half hotels booked and we are now moving into a third,'' he said.

"The momentum is such that this event is going to make Bermuda proud and it's growing simply because of the success of last year's event.'' He added: "This year the celebrities are going to be here for longer and will be at places which are totally free so members of the public can come over and get autographs -- that's what makes this sort of event.'' Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson will be arriving on the Island later this month to announce which other star names will be taking part in the event.