The Clubs at St. JAMES, St. James Plantation near Oak Island, NC?

[Tim Leahy]

I came across this private golf club while researching Oak Island, NC after watching a House Hunters episode. They have 81 holes if golf with designs by Nicklaus, PB Dyes, Hale Irwin and 27 holes by Tim Cate(?). Membership is quite high and they think very highly of the Nicklaus course. I had never heard anything about the courses.
Have any of you played any or all of the St. James courses and what did you think about them? Challenging, fun, a nice mix for every day play?

[A.G._Crockett]

I’ve only played the PB Dye course years ago when it was called The Gauntlet.  I liked enough to come back a couple of times.


Obviously, I haven’t played the Tim Cate course, but I’ve played several of his other courses and really like them a lot.  Tiger’s Eye at Ocean Ridge is a personal favorite.


I wish I could be more help; good luck!

[Tim Leahy]

I’ve only played the PB Dye course years ago when it was called The Gauntlet.  I liked enough to come back a couple of times.


Obviously, I haven’t played the Tim Cate course, but I’ve played several of his other courses and really like them a lot.  Tiger’s Eye at Ocean Ridge is a personal favorite.


I wish I could be more help; good luck!

Thanks for the response, hopefully others chime in. I am considering taking them up on a vacation- real-estate package they are offering. The area looks nice and cheap for a vacation condo.

[Edward Glidewell]

They're solid golf courses, but not anything special. Some of the public courses up and down the coast are better, although St. James/Oak Island is far enough north that even somewhere like Tidewater (a very good course) is at least 45 minutes away if not further. Rivers Edge isn't too far, though, and that's also a really fun place to play (despite the 9th hole being terrible).

One issue is that they probably have too many members already for the number of courses. I know someone who works there and said they have a lot of angry members because the tee sheets are booked solid for all courses every single day -- there are members who want to play and just can't because no times are available.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

I played one of the courses I believe it was called the reserve back in 2007.  I can't remember right now who designed that course.

]I have been meaning to get back down there and play the other coursess as I think I may know one of the members of the professional staff there.  at least I used to.

Not sure what time of year you were thinking about coming down and doing this introductory package? I would love to hear when you get it set up, or at least hear your thoughts after.

[Tim Martin]

I played three out of the four a couple times each excluding the Nicklaus (Reserve) which came after the Founders, Members and Players courses. It’s been more than twenty years and like Ed Glidewell I think that they are solid yet nothing special. I remember them breaking ground in 1985 while staying out on Oak Island and there was a lot of buzz about the project. It’s obviously been successful as they continued to add courses and amenities along the way. The location is good with an easy trip to Wilmington/Myrtle Beach and you can take a ferry out of Southport to play George Cobb’s Bald Head Island Club as well.

[Edward Glidewell]

I think Bald Head Island has gone fully private now, with the exception of people renting on the island. They can get a one week membership for the duration of their stay, but I'm pretty sure it's closed to the general public.

[Tim Leahy]

Thanks for the responses, all info helps. I probably won't get out there til next spring but it looks interesting.