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(TGA) - Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational Returns to Haig Point

Defending Champs South Carolina and

Host Michigan State Return for Second Annual Event

Area Golf Fans Invited to Watch the Oct. 4-6 Competition

Daufuskie Island, S.C., Sept. 30, 2009 – Visitors to Haig Point will see 12 of the nation’s top collegiate men’s golf teams compete at one of the world’s greatest courses during the Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational, scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at the private Rees Jones Signature Course. The University of South Carolina won last year’s inaugural event with an astounding 21-stroke victory over runners-up Georgia State and San Diego State. Tournament host Michigan State finished fourth. Gamecocks Paul Woodbury (senior; Lake City, S.C.) and Wesley Bryan (sophomore; Chapin, S.C.) will also return to defend their shared medalist honors.

“This event gives residents and visitors to the Hilton Head area a great opportunity to watch some of the country’s premier amateurs,” said Jason Cherry, director of golf at Haig Point. “The players are in for a stiffer challenge this year, as the course has further matured from Rees’ renovation. We’ve also moved the tournament up by a month, so the rough will be thicker. The course is in peak condition, so it will be interesting to see what the golfers can do.”

Fresh off its 2007 renovation – which earned national Best Remodel honors from Golf Digest – the Signature Course hosted 13 teams last year in the first competitive test of Jones’ handiwork. The course, which was ranked 28th in the country by Golf Digest and 68th in the world by Golf Magazine upon opening two decades ago, underwent a $5.5 million transformation overseen by Jones and his design associate Greg Muirhead. “It now has the length to handle the games of the country’s top collegiate players,” said Jones. “The four par-3s are among the best short holes to be found anywhere. The 9th and 18th are outstanding par-5s. The collegians will likely go for the difficult 9th in two, and the 18th offers the exciting possibility of winning with an eagle. With the rebuilt greens, the players will find the putting surfaces as firm and fast as they could want.”

While the “Open Doctor” has designed or renovated more than 100 courses and a dozen major championship settings – including this summer’s venues for the U.S. Open (Bethpage Black) and the PGA Championship (Hazeltine) – Haig Point is still considered one of his true masterpieces. “I’m very proud of Haig Point,” Jones continued. “It is one of the top layouts on my design resume, and the players will certainly be challenged by it.”

Four teams from the inaugural Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational return this year: host Michigan State, defending champs University of South Carolina, Georgia State and Tennessee State. Newcomers are the College of Charleston, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Pepperdine, San Jose State, UNC-Wilmington and Winthrop.

Michigan State Coach Sam Puryear said every team that participated last year was awed by the setting. “Daufuskie Island is one of the prettiest spots in the U.S., and all of my players came away raving about the Haig Point course,” said Puryear. “It’s plenty long, even for these kids, and the course conditions were perfect. It’s penal if you don’t hit the right spots, as it should be, but it rewards accuracy. Plus, you’re dealing with Mother Nature. It’s as true a test as you’re going to get, and we’re really excited about getting back to Haig Point.”

Teams will play a practice round on Sunday, Oct. 4, followed by 36 holes of competition on Oct. 5, and the final 18 holes on Oct. 6. All three days are open to area golf fans, and Haig Point is offering complimentary ferry travel and tournament admittance. Ferry reservations are required and may be made by calling 843-686-2000. The ferry departs Hilton Head Island at 30 minutes past the hour a dozen times each day; a detailed schedule is posted at HaigPoint.com.
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