Members (Irwin Front/Cate Nine) at St. James Plantation

St. James Plantation's Members Course combines Hale Irwin's original front nine with the Cate Nine, creating an 18-hole layout that serves the residential golf community in Southport, North Carolina. Irwin, a three-time U.S. Open champion who transitioned to course design, developed St. James as a multi-course facility in the 1990s, with the Members Course functioning as the primary amenity for property owners within this coastal plantation development.

The course occupies relatively flat terrain characteristic of North Carolina's Brunswick County coastline, situated a few miles inland from the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The routing incorporates natural wetlands, pine forests, and strategic water features that define several holes. Irwin's design philosophy here emphasizes playability for a range of skill levels while maintaining strategic interest through thoughtful bunkering and green complexes that reward accurate approach shots.

St. James Plantation operates as a private club serving its residential members, with the Members Course anchoring a lifestyle-oriented community that includes additional golf options on the property. The facility reflects the region's growth as a retirement and second-home destination, offering a traditional country club experience within the development's gates. The course conditions and maintenance standards align with member expectations for daily play rather than championship tournament preparation.