Haig Point set to stage Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND, S.C. — Visitors to Haig Point will have the opportunity to see many of the top collegiate men’s golf teams in the country compete at one of the world’s greatest courses during the inaugural Rees Jones Collegiate Invitational scheduled for Sept. 6-8 here at the recently renovated Signature Course.

“Not only will this event give people in the Hilton Head area and beyond an opportunity to see some of the country's premier amateur golfers compete,” said Director of Golf Jason Cherry, “but also the chance to take a wonderful ferry ride across Calibogue Sound, experience Daufuskie Island, and see the newly restored Haig Point Signature course.”

Arizona State University (ASU) will headline the list of schools participating in this first-ever 54-hole event. The Sun Devils have appeared in 24 NCAA National Finals over the past 25 years. During the past 16 years under head coach Randy Lein, ASU has garnered eight Pacific-10 titles and received 35 All-American honors.

Five teams are 2007-2008 conference champions: Michigan State University (Big Ten), Eastern Michigan University (Mid-American Athletic), Jackson State University (Southwestern Athletic), Georgia State University (Colonial Athletic) and Methodist University (USA South Athletic).

The rest of the field includes Grambling State University, San Diego State University, University of Idaho, University of Toledo, University of Texas at Arlington, San Jose State University, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Tennessee State University and Troy University.

“This will be a great opportunity to come see some of the country’s top players and teams that will likely be in the mix for the national championship this coming season,” said MSU Head Coach Sam Puryear, who won a national championship while an assistant coach at Stanford University and worked closely with Cherry and Haig Point General Manager Mark Nordman to assemble this talented field.

“We wanted to diversify the competition by inviting teams from a variety of conferences.” continued Puryear, whose squad will act as the host school. “Haig Point is a great course. It is one of the prettiest places in the world to hold an event of this type and is managed by a first-class company in Troon Golf.”

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 Jones and his design associate Greg Muirhead.

Jones noted that the recent changes added length, with the course stretching to 7,350 yards from the tips, and altered various features that make the Carolina Lowlands layout a better test for players of all abilities.

“It now has the length to handle the games of the country’s top collegiate players,” explained Jones, who hopes to attend the event. “The four par-3s are among the best collection of short holes to be found anywhere. The 9th and 18th are outstanding par-5s The collegiate players will likely go for the 9th green in two and the 18th definitely offers some eagle possibilities. With the rebuilt greens, the collegiate players will find the putting surfaces as firm and fast as they could possibly want.

“I am very proud of Haig Point. It is one of the top layouts on my design resume. The players should be wowed by the course."

Cherry said Haig Point not only demands length off of the tee, but accuracy due to the large live oaks and well positioned bunkers that line the fairways. Once the player has found the fairway, an accurate approach game is needed to attack greens closely guarded by bunkers and/or sea marsh. The constantly changing coastal breezes can increase the challenge.

“With the event being scheduled for early September, nearly a year after our re-opening, golfers can expect pristine conditions,” Cherry said. “The bunkers are newly sanded and well groomed, the fairways have completely matured, and the greens will play firm, which is to most good players’ liking. The course will be well suited to host an event of this caliber and present a great challenge to these talented players.”

The teams will play a practice round Sept. 6, followed by 36 holes of competition Sept. 7 and the final 18 holes Sept. 8.

“The format, with 54 holes in two days, will be a stern test for the players and yield a deserving champion,” concluded Puryear. “Mark, Jason and Troon Golf have done a great job pulling this event together into what should become a very special annual competition.”

Contact Information

General Manager Mark Nordman, Telephone 843-341-8141