MONACO -- August 22 - "May I play through…the middle of town?"

Celebrities from around the world won't be the only highlight of this year's GIN Invitational Monte-Carlo Pro-Celebrity PGA Golf Tournament and Sports in the City event. Held from September 5-7, the event will feature a spectacular 19th Hole built on Monaco's famous Casino Square. The Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), whose members include four of the Principality's luxury hotels, is lending its support to construct this featured attraction.

The official PGA tournament will once again be held at the Monte-Carlo Golf Club, majestically overlooking Monaco on the slopes of Mt. Agel. On September 5th and 6th, the pros and celebrities will round off their play in a special fun competition on the "19th hole," smack in the city center between the Café de Paris, the Casino and the Hotel de Paris.

At 77 yards distance with the tee box located on the edge of the Casino Square gardens, the ideal shot will fly over the fountain and land on a 1600 sq. foot simulated bent grass green. Stray balls might end up in a sand trap or on a 262 sq. foot apron area sloping down to street level in front of the Casino steps, while spectators will be protected by 30,000 sq. feet of nylon netting lowered into place during the competition. The first ball will be hit by H.S.H. Prince Albert, followed by a host of local dignitaries and celebrities.

Co-chaired by H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco and actor Kevin Costner, this year's attending celebrities include Robert Wagner, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Gary Player, Patrick Duffy, Christopher Lee, and Ingemar Stenmark. Celebrities participating in prior years have included Lance Armstrong, Boris Becker, Richard Branson, Jim Courier, Cheryl Ladd, Henri Leconte, Robert Loggia, Roger Moore, Stephen Stills, Jill St. John, RJ Wagner and a host of others from the world of sports and entertainment.

Despite concerns that the hole's presence would create a logjam of people-traffic in the Principality's bustling town square, the "Golf in the City" project was made possible by the excellent collaborative relationship the Monte-Carlo Invitational holds with various municipality departments and with the SBM, whose activities would be heavily impacted by the ambitious project.

"We are forever grateful to Bernard Lambert, Chief Executive of the SBM whose kindness and enthusiastic support helped us immeasurably in overcoming all the obstacles," said Mike Powers, President of Monte-Carlo Entertainment. "Without Bernard Lambert and his team, the 19th Hole would have remained simply a dream. We also owe great thanks to everyone at the Casino and the Café de Paris who have pitched in wonderfully to make the project a success."

Following the initiative of H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco, the SBM sponsored Monte-Carlo Entertainment and the Giorgio Giacomini Creative Project (the late Mr. Giacomini originated the "Golf in the City" concept) will donate proceeds to New York's Twin Towers Fund and to supporting a 'Living Memorial' of 2,835 trees - one in the name of each of the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks.

"The joining together of sport and charity is a formidable way of allowing all of us to participate in the creation of a Living Memorial to the victims of 9/11," H.S.H. Prince Albert said. "The trees being planted in New York will serve as a reminder of the tragic loss of life for generations to come."

The striking Monte-Carlo Port will also be the setting of an eclectic group of sporting tournaments and exhibitions, including the World Championship Beach Soccer Games. The week's events will also include a variety of fund-raising events culminating with a charity Gala and Auction on Saturday night at the SBM Sporting of Monte-Carlo. Elton John and Phil Collins figure among several celebrities and artists who have contributed donations to these events.

For more information, contact the Monaco Government Tourist Office at (800) 753-9696 or (212) 286-3330, or e-mail MGTO@monaco1.org. Information is also available via the MTGO web site at www.monaco-tourism.com.

Note to Editors:
The Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) was established in 1863 by Prince Charles III of Monaco and, today, is a unique luxury resort offering the very best of Monte-Carlo.

The SBM offers an unrivalled choice of 4 luxury hotels and entertainment within the Principality including an opera house, a casino, golf courses and tennis courts, 23 restaurants, with a total of six Michelin stars, and one of the best spa facilities in the world.