One of our areas most forgiving courses is St. James Golf Club in Port St. Lucie.

With expansive fairways and a lack of large trees, golfers will be enticed to tee it up and let it rip here. This links-style course may not be a true links experience, but it's about as close as you'll find on the Treasure Coast.

In addition, St. James has many of the attributes needed to play links golf. There are few trees, odd bumps and mounds all over the place, devilish bunkers and when the wind blows, it truly feels like a links course.

Because St. James is a Florida course, instead of being surrounded by the sea, you instead get a sea of homes. Fortunately, they sit well back from the course and, other than blocking some of the wind, have little effect on play.

The course has changed hands a few times since its grand opening in 2000. The current owners have shed the course's reputation from a few years back and golfers have taken notice.

"We've tripled our membership over the last 12 months," said Chris Cunnife, director of golf at St. James.

The course also has new maintenance equipment, an outstanding new superintendent and fresh friendly faces. Add to that the best-looking beverage cart ladies on the Treasure Coast, and it's easy to see why the course hosts four weekly men's leagues.

The course was designed by Warren Henderson and rewards shot value and a strong mental approach.

With a couple of drivable par-4s and an easily reachable-in-two par-5, golfers are forced to think about how they will play the hole. The areas around the greens are built and maintained to give players a choice of several shots. You can flop or lob a shot in, bounce a shot in, or, as one of my playing partners did a few times, you can roll the ball 50 yards or more to the green, if you prefer.

The par 72 course features four sets of tees measuring from 4,811 to 6,838 yards.

Golfers of any ability are able to find a set of tees to challenge his or her game.

There are few forced carries from the more forward tees, and I have found St. James to be a great place for the entire family to play. The young golfer or beginner will welcome the expansive fairways and short rough.

Better players will be challenged by the bunkers, wind, undulating greens and making sure to place shots at the best angles for attacking the pin.

The course starts out with a tame par-5. When you look out at the large fairway, your first-tee jitters should melt away. This hole is a great start for those who forgot to arrive early enough to warm up at the range.

The tee shot from the back tee at No. eight is quite intimidating. From here, you realize you must hit your drive straight and quite long to have any shot into the green on this 430- yard test. It's the beginning of a run of truly solid holes.

The ninth hole is the longest par-3 on the course, measuring nearly 200 yards from the back. The longest par-4 on the course follows.

At 468 yards from the back and just over 400 from the forward tees, the 10th tests every long club in your bag.

What follows may be the shortest par-5 in the county. Measuring a short 499 yards from the tips the 11th invites you to attack. After playing eight, nine and 10, you may need an eagle or birdie here to get things going again.

The closing holes are very good. The par-5 16th requires two solid shots before you can hit your wedge to the green. The par-3 17th can play anywhere from 140 yards to nearly 200 depending on the tee and hole location. It also plays into the prevailing wind.

On 18, I would suggest staying to the left side of the fairway. On the right side, two huge bunkers loom. They are deep and unforgiving. One can easily ruin a great round by finding one of them.

To schedule a round call the course call (772) 336-4653 or visit the Web site www.stjamesgolfclub.net.

White Doves holiday project tournament

On Saturday, Oct. 10, you can tee it up at Eagle Marsh in Jensen Beach to benefit the White Doves holiday project. The tournament is being put on by Vought Aircraft in Stuart with proceeds going to assist the White Doves.

The day begins with a 7:30 a.m. registration followed by a putting contest. From there, it's to the carts to begin your day of golf and fun.

Cost is $65 per golfer and includes breakfast, lunch, golf with cart, goodie bag, beverages and more. Best of all, you'll be helping out the children in need of our community.

For more information or to sign up to play or donate, call Janice Kerwin at (772) 220-5110.

James Stammer has been an avid golfer and golf enthusiast for 30 years. He hosts the Tuesday Night Golf Show on WPSL 1590-AM radio station. Contact him at jstammer@yahoo.com.