(AP) – State officials, sports celebrities and Fort Riley soldiers are scheduled to take part in the inaugural Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic pheasant hunt.

The three-day event starts Friday in Oakley with the hunt taking place in the surrounding area. Gov. Sam Brownback, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Secretary Robin Jennison will lead the hunt along with other elected officials.

Organizers say the event is designed to highlight hunting opportunities in northwestern Kansas to hunters around the Midwest.

The expected group of 50 hunters include Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer George Brett, golfer Tom Watson and four soldiers from Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division who recently returned from deployment in Iraq.