Gillespie Snr said the only pros missing from the field were Michael Hendry, whose partner is due to give birth, and Ryan Fox.
He said the good thing was the pro-am was getting continued support from pros and a growing number of amateurs.
"It's important for our golf club and it's getting good support from the locals now," he said.
"But the key is we get a really, really strong professional field. When I last spoke to Mark Brown the first thing he wanted to know was when the pro-am was on because he was coming back for it.
"When we get that sort of response we must be doing something right."
"Thirty-nine pros is the most we've had since we started running the event," he said.
The committee tried to get a number of celebrities to play, including ex-NZ cricketers John Wright and Sir Richard Hadlee and former All Black Grant Fox.
"Unfortunately John's had to get back to India for coaching duties while Richard will be holidaying with his wife in Australia. Foxy was really keen but he's tied up with the All Blacks. For all of them it was a timing issue," he said.
Gillespie said the course was in great order thanks to greenkeeper Barry Shannon and his crew.
"All we want now is two good days of weather and there's a group of us who are praying.
"In the three years we've been running the event no one has really ripped the course apart. The course might have lost a few trees but at this time of the year we get the wind which is a great leveller. It'll be interesting to see if anyone can shoot a really good score."
He said they hoped to see spectators at Belmont supporting the event.
"Hospice Wanganui are providing lunches on both days and again we'll present them a cheque at the end of it as our donation to the outstanding work they continue to do."
The line-up of sponsors includes Craigs Investments, Pin High, Tasman Tanning and Ricoh and that means the pro-am has retained its $20,000 in prize money. As an NZ PGA sanctioned event, PGA representatives will be overseeing the event.
And there is more to this event than just 36 holes of top flight golf.
Tomorrow afternoon, between 1-4pm, there will be a Titleist demonstration. Gillespie said this was a "great opportunity" for golfers to be fitted with the latest Titleist hardware or find out what ball best suited their game.
"Anyone's welcome to attend that. Titleist have been a strong supporter for the last three years and this year we asked them up to run a demonstration day."
Moa Beer is back as sponsors and and has entered a team.
"We've got a novelty event on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
"There's going to be a large bin full of ice about 70m in front of the ladies tee on the first fairway. For a gold coin you can hit a ball and if you land in the bin you win a magnum of Moa beer," Gillespie said.
"It's not about encouraging drinking but it's a novel fundraiser and the money is going to Hospice Wanganui."
While the pros will be playing for the prize money, there is a comprehensive prize table for the amateurs team competition.
