UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA ANNOUNCED AS THE HOST TEAM FOR THE 4th ANNUAL REES JONES COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL AT HAIG POINT

6/9/2011

Impressive Lineup of Teams Set for Golf Tournament on Rees Jones Signature Course on Daufuskie Island; Three Defending Conference Team Champions to Compete

June 9, 2011, Daufuskie Island, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Gamecocks have been announced today by officials at Haig Point as the host school for the 4th Annual Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational Golf Tournament scheduled for October 2-4, 2011 on Daufuskie Island, S.C. Michigan State hosted the tournament the first three years of the event and the Spartans will return to be part of this year’s full field of 13 teams.

“We always look forward to coming to Haig Point and competing on their world-class layout on the Rees Jones Signature course,” said Bill McDonald, head golf coach of the University of South Carolina. “We have a tremendous lineup of teams and it will be a battle for the championship this fall. The golf course does not allow you to let up on any hole. It’s a shot makers course where good shots are rewarded and bad shots are penalized. I know all the teams anticipate a great challenge for 54 holes.”

Nine different conferences will be represented in the Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational and will include defending conference championship squads from UNC-Wilmington (Colonial Athletic Association), Kennesaw State (Atlantic Sun) and Liberty University (Big South). The rest of the field is composed of Charleston Southern (Big South); Georgia State (Colonial); Iowa State (Big 12); Jacksonville University (Atlantic Sun); South Florida (Big East); Tennessee-Chattanooga (Southern Conference); Wake Forest (Atlantic Coast Conference); and Winthrop University (Big South).

Haig Point's signature golf course, which debuted at 28th in the country by Golf Digest and 68th in the world by Golf Magazine when it first opened 22 years ago, recently underwent a $5.5 million renovation and restoration overseen by Rees Jones. The renovations earned the Rees Jones Signature Course as the third “Best Remodel” from Golf Digest in 2007. The par 72 course measures 7,380 yards.

“The event gives people in the Hilton Head area a great opportunity to see some of the best college golfers in the country,” said Jason Cherry, director of golf at Haig Point. “It’s great to see how much this tournament has grown in just a couple years and this fall we’ll see perhaps our most competitive field yet. With those teams, on this course, in this idyllic setting, we look forward to seeing what team comes out on top.”

While the Gamecocks are hosting this year’s event, they have also made themselves right at home at one of the fastest growing collegiate golf tournaments in the country. South Carolina won the tournament the first two years, including a dominant victory by 37 strokes in 2009. Last year, Kennesaw State won the title in a playoff against Liberty University.

Individually, the Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational will see a strong roster of players vying for medalist honors. Liberty’s Robert Karlsson of Sweden has won Big South Golfer of the Year award the past two seasons and was one of eight collegiate golfers named to the 2011 European Palmer Cup team. Past Palmer Cup participants have included current PGA TOUR stars Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald, Ben Curtis, Graeme McDowell and Brandt Snedeker.

South Carolina boasts a young, but talented team. Current freshman Caulder Moore finished 20th in the recent Southeastern Conference Golf Championship, and fellow freshman Blaine Woodruff led the Gamecocks in stroke average this season. Plus, another freshman, Logan Harrell, won the 96th Carolinas Amateur in 2010, widely considered to be one of the most prestigious regional amateur events in the country.

Teams will play a practice round on Sunday, October 2, followed by 36 holes of competition on October 3, and the final 18 holes on October 4. All three days of competition are open to area golf fans, and Haig Point is offering complimentary ferry travel and tournament admittance.

Renowned golf course architect Rees Jones will also come to Haig Point to visit with the teams during a special pre-tournament dinner ceremony on October 1.

For more information about Haig Point and the 4th Annual Rees Jones Invitational, visit www.HaigPoint.com.

About Haig Point
Haig Point is located on Daufuskie Island and is a charming sea island, private club and community located just off the coast of South Carolina, between Hilton Head and Savannah, Georgia. Haig Point is only accessible by a private ferry system originating on Hilton Head Island. Haig Point is home to the historic Strachan Mansion, Calibogue Club, Lighthouse, Tabby Ruins and the stunning Rees Jones Signature Golf Course. The island amenities also include a full-service Tennis Center, Equestrian Center and a community park. For more information about the island, or real estate opportunities, call (800) 686-3441, or visit www.HaigPoint.com.

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10 Haig Point Circle Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Tel: 800-686-3441 Fax: 843-686-2443 Email: info@haigpoint.com