Called the most highly anticipated charitable golf and entertainment event in central New Jersey, the Sovereign Bank Charity Golf Classic returns on Oct. 5- 6. The event, held at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, raises funds for the nonprofit Forsgate Foundation, which supports causes throughout New Jersey.

Rocco Mediate PGA Tour professional Rocco Mediate will make his first appearance at the Charity Golf Classic this year. A 24-year veteran of the tour, Mediate won the hearts of golf fans when he went toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods during a one-day playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open.

LPGA tour winner Natalie Gulbis will join Mediate for her second appearance at the Forsgate event. Gulbis is one of the most popular players on the LPGA tour and appeared on last season's "The Celebrity Apprentice."

In addition, a number of former NFL players, including veterans such as Irving Fryar and Otis Anderson, will mingle with Charity Golf Classic participants during the golf tournament on Oct. 6.

The Charity Golf Classic is the signature event of the Forsgate Foundation and its primary source of fundraising. Since the event began in 2003, it has raised nearly $200,000 for the foundation, which has distributed the funds to organizations including the March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, P.L.A.Y. for PINK, and the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Foundation.

"The support from the membership and the community is uplifting," said Forsgate Country Club General Manager Det Williams. "They clearly participate to support the charities involved, but they also enjoy the interaction with the great personalities that are attracted to the event year after year."

In addition to Sovereign Bank, other Charity Golf Classic sponsors include Bud Light and Affinity Insurance.

The festivities kick off Oct. 5 with a VIP reception and a live and silent auction in the clubhouse at Forsgate. Participants and sponsors can mingle with the celebrities and bid on such auction items as the opportunity to caddie for one of the celebrities or serve as their playing partner.

The Forsgate Foundation will raffle off a 2009 Mercedes SLK 300 hardtop convertible courtesy of Mercedes Benz of Princeton. Raffle tickets are being sold for $100 and include admission to the auction. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the evening on Oct. 5. All money raised will benefit the Forsgate Foundation and its benefactors. To purchase raffle tickets, call 732-656-8911.

On Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m., participants will compete in an 18-hole golf tournament on Forsgate's Banks Course. Both Mediate and Gulbis, along with former NFL players, will chat with foursomes in the event.

At 2 p.m. the general public is invited to attend the hour-long Celebrity Skills Exhibition where Mediate and Gulbis will display their skills, answer questions from the gallery and amuse the crowd with anecdotes from their experiences on and off the links.

Forsgate golf pro Gia Bocra-Liwski will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

At 3 p.m. the Charity Classic Skins Game will begin on hole No. 1 of the Banks Course. Fans can follow Mediate and Gulbis as they wage a "Battle of the Sexes," competing over nine holes for a purse of $9,000.

A limited number of tournament playing positions are still available on the Banks Course for $1,000 (individual) and $4,000 (foursome). For those who have participated in past Classic events, the rates are discounted to $900 and $3,600.

In addition to playing 18 holes on the Banks Course, tournament participant privileges include the opportunity to meet and take photos with Mediate and Gulbis; preferred admission to the live and silent auction and reception on Oct. 5; all of the Oct. 6 events; an exclusive gift package; and VIP parking.

Gallery tickets for the Classic are $15 and include admission to the Celebrity Skills Exhibition and the Skins Game. Tickets may be purchased in advance or purchased on-site on Oct. 6.

For sponsorship information or tickets, call 732-656-8911. For more information, call or visit www.forsgatefoundation.org.