Southport, North Carolina (November 21, 2025) – The Clubs at St. James, in partnership with Troon, proudly sponsored and hosted several talented students from COAST (Center of Applied Sciences and Technology) in nearby Bolivia, North Carolina, for the third annual St. James Chopped Event. The competition, which took place on Thursday, November 20, proved to be a fun, hands-on opportunity for students to showcase their culinary skills and engage with the St. James community. Working under the guidance of Executive Chef Peter Holderied, the student chefs demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and professionalism throughout the event.
This year’s competition featured eight COAST students who went head-to-head in the “A Taste of COAST Challenge,” preparing unique dishes for attending members to sample. Guests enjoyed tasting each team’s creations and casting their votes to determine the event’s champion. The winners of the competition were Aaron McLaughlin and Ethan Warren featuring their Brisket Mac N Cheese Sundaes. The evening celebrated not only culinary talent but also the dedication and hard work these students bring to their craft.
The Clubs at St. James and Troon were honored to support COAST’s Culinary Program, which provides students with hands-on training in a professional kitchen environment. The program emphasizes essential skills such as sanitation, menu planning, knife techniques, costing, and production, while also building important soft skills like teamwork, problem solving, and communication. Through strong partnerships with hospitality organizations, COAST continues to offer students valuable pathways to internships and future employment in the industry.
The event was a huge success, highlighting the next generation of culinary professionals and reaffirming The Clubs at St. James’ commitment to supporting educational programs that prepare students for rewarding careers in hospitality.
For more information on The Clubs at St. James Plantation, visit www.theclubsatstjames.com.
About The Clubs at St. James
The Clubs at St James is one of the top private residential golf communities in the Coastal Carolinas. The Clubs at St James offers Members 81 holes of golf, five distinct restaurants, 13 Har-Tru tennis courts, a marina, multiple state-of-the-art fitness facilities featuring both indoor and outdoor aquatics, a private beach club, and miles of walking and biking trails with some of the best views in the area.
About Troon
The Clubs at St. James is owned and managed by Troon. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 950-plus locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contacts:
Kimberle Adams
The Clubs at St. James
Director of Communications
910.477.8500 ext. 1017
Kim.adams@troon.com
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com