The Championship at St. James Plantation will begin next week in Southport, NC. The tournament will be contested at both the Founders and Reserve Club courses located inside the gates of the prestigious St. James Plantation. The Founders Club is a P.B. Dye signature design that is one of a handful of Dye courses on the eGolf Tour schedule. Known as one of the most scenic and arduous courses in the area, the course measures just over 7,000 yards, but rewards precise shot making as it weaves throughout one of the more stunning vistas in the coastal region.

The Reserve Club is a Jack Nicklaus design that opened in 2006 to rave reviews. It was named "Best New Course in North Carolina" by the 130-member North Carolina golf panel. In 2007, that same panel selected the top 100 golf courses and The Reserve debuted at No. 39, the highest ranking of any first-time nominee. The course plays in and around the tidal wetlands and various ponds that are native to the coastal area. At 7,212 yards, it is one of the best tests of golf in North Carolina.

Both the Founders and Reserve courses feature impeccable bent grass greens and have been designated as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries for their efforts in blending championship golf seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The following is a brief preview of some of the key holes located on both courses.

 

Reserve Course (Par 72)

Nicklaus Course / Hole #5 / 391 yards / Par 4
The bunker in the middle of this short par-4 is not the garden spot.  A well-placed shot to the narrower left side will leave an easy shot to the green over the marsh.  A shot to the wider right side will leave a more difficult angle to the pin.

 

 

 

 

Nicklaus Course / Hole #7 / 497 yards / Par 5
A reachable par-5 with water down the right side off the tee, marsh to traverse on the second shot, and a green perched on a peninsula.  Longer hitters will favor the right side off the tee so the shot to the green is utilizing the entire length of the green.  If you choose the left side off the tee, then you need to hit a long iron like Nicklaus, high and soft.

 

 

 

Nicklaus Course / Hole # 9 / 324 yards / Par 4
A drivable par-4 with a green that runs away from you, front to back.  Watch for the lateral hazard just to the right of the green.  A miss to the left of the green is preferred.

 

 

 

 

 

Nicklaus Course / Hole #13 / 180 yards / Par 3
A longer par-3 with the typical Nicklaus Design green complex, with three “greens” within the green.  Keep your shot left of the pin here, this usually works best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Founders Club (Par 72)

Dye Course / Hole #7 / 453 yards / Par 4
This dogleg left hole has a lateral water hazard along the left side, and then a marsh crosses the fairway at 275 yards and a lateral water hazard to the right.  The green is elevated and shots near the edge are rejected to the collection areas.  Once on the green, it has gentle slopes to the center from all directions.

 

 

 

 

 

Dye Course / Hole #16 / 145 yards / Par 3
The beginnings of “The Gauntlet”, as the members refer to our last three holes.  The green and surrounding slope to the water and the prevailing wind goes from right to left, bringing the water in play even more.  Don’t get too confident from the photos, this hole plays a little longer from the tournament tees.

 

 

 

 

 

Dye Course / Hole #17 / 440 yards / Par 4
From the back tees, it does not look like there is anywhere dry to hit the ball.  Stay just left of the marsh and it opens up with a good line to the green.  The green slopes back to front, but also away from the fairway, making it a difficult approach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dye Course / Hole #18 / 387 yards / Par 4
The finishing hole.  The drive is entirely carried across the marsh as this hole bends left to right. Don’t hit it too far to the left as two ponds on the left side will come well into play.  The green is somewhat heart shaped, with narrow sections on the left and right side making tough pin positions.