Celebrity Golf Classic, it was revealed last night.

The Oscar nominee who starred in the `Waiting to Exhale' was one of the biggest names in the tournament line-up.

Tournament spokesperson Amanda Temple said Ms Bassett had been picked as a judge for the Cannes Film Festival.

"It is a great opportunity for her, one she simply could not miss,'' Ms Temple declared. "She had every intention of coming but this opportunity came up at the last minute.'' Ms Temple pledged an all-out effort would be made to bring the Golden Globe Award-winning actress to the Island next year.

Ms Bassett was the only absentee from the Classic line-up, which includes such celebrities as Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Joshua Morrow from the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless.

The celebrities flew into Bermuda last night on private jets courtesy of Planet Hollywood.

The event is expected to raise some $250,000 for two charities -- The Catalogue for Giving in New York and Bermuda's Council Partners.

Ms Temple told The Royal Gazette the celebrities would not be paid for taking part in the tournament and would be staying for free at Elbow Beach Hotel.

Today, tomorrow and on Sunday the stars will play at Port Royal in Southampton with golfers from local companies. The public can walk the course with the players.

The golf events will be backed up by a black-tie, gala dinner and a Comedy Night.

Photos by Arthur Bean MAKING WAVES -- Anna Maria Horsford (left) and Alfonso Ribeiro arrive at Bermuda International Airport for the three-day Samuel L. Jackson Celebrity Golf Classic, which starts today. With other celebrities and local golfers, they will help raise funds for charity. Ms Horsford stars in Fox's hit show, The Wayans Brothers, while Mr. Ribeiro was Carlton Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

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