The Wexford Intercollegiate is set to return to Hilton Head Island for the eighth time in 2013. The 18-team college men's event will again be hosted by Francis Marion University on Feb. 18-19 at Wexford Plantation.

"It's a great partnership," said Mark Gaynor, the men's golf coach at Francis Marion and the tournament director. "We're very glad that Wexford Plantation hosts the event. We always bring in solid teams with good coaches and good players, and everybody gets along. It's a good weekend."

Gaynor, whose mother lives in Wexford, said the people there are what keeps him coming back.

"(Pro) Scott Hunter played golf at George Mason," Gaynor said. "It's really an added bonus when your head pro has played college golf and understands what it means. And Brian Murray the superintendent, what he did in one year, getting the course ready after the redesign, was unbelievable."

Among the field this season will be defending champion Georgia State, a six-stroke winner over Furman last season. The Panthers were led last year by then-freshman Damon Stephenson and then-sophomore Tyler Gruca, who finished 1-2.

Gaynor said there has been national interest in playing in the Wexford event.

"You never know where interest comes from. A lot has to do with where it fits in the schedule," Gaynor said. "But they call me. They're calling us and we're not having to call anybody. Top-level schools, top-level kids -- that's what makes an event, the top coaches and the top kids.

2013 Wexford Intercollegiate

Feb. 18-19, Wexford Plantation

2012 team champion: Georgia State defeated Furman by six strokes.

2012 individual champion: Georgia State's Damon Stephenson defeated teammate Tyler Gruca by two strokes.

2013 participants: Campbell, Davidson, Dayton, DePaul, Elon, Francis Marion, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Ohio, Presbyterian, Radford, Richmond, Samford, Connecticut, USC Aiken, South Florida, Western Carolina, William and Mary.

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www.islandpacket.com/2012/02/22/1972971/aussie-guides-georgia-state-to.html

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www.islandpacket.com/2012/01/26/1941595/local-golf-notebook-jan-26-wexford.html