Jackson Hole Golfer Magazine by Planet Jackson Hole

THE 5 GOLFERS YOU MEET IN JACKSON HOLE SHOOTING STAR WISH COMES TRUE SCRAMBLES PUT ‘FUN’ IN FUNDRAISER ‘PRO’-FILES IN LEADERSHIP: GLOVER, KOHLASCH ISSUE VIII | FREE | SUMMER 2015 ISSUE 8 | 2015 • JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM

Perfect your cast like you would your swing.

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You know what the Lama says? W

hen in doubt, hire a guide. Sure, it can be fun to explore new places and discover their charms on your own. But when all you have is this afternoon, and you have the dough, it’s best to line up that trusted expert. That way you know you’re getting the goods. In golf, a caddie is the ultimate guide to the course. My fellow writers and photographers and I hope you find this guide to golfing in Jackson Hole a caddie of sorts, pointing you in the right direction, creating context, highlighting history and making a joke or two along the way. An erstwhile looper myself, I enjoyed adding one as a central character in this year’s guide to the five Jackson Hole golf courses. In the “The Five Golfers You Meet” readers get to know a member from each course, helped by caddie Andy Jackson, as they play 18 holes on a perfect August afternoon at Shooting Star in Teton Village. The course is enjoying its moment in the sun lately while looking ahead to a bright future, but this year’s feature story by Mark Wilcox recounts the many setbacks and hurdles overcome along the way for the longtime landowners. Most Jackson Hole golfers are not members of private clubs, however, and play most rounds in one of the many fundraising tourneys on the summer schedule. Writer and photographer Chris “Nezz” Pierce tells you which tourneys your fearsome scramble format foursome should put on the schedule. And who better to guide a golfer than a head pro, so this year’s Jackson Hole Golfer “pro”-files two of them. Greg Glover of 3 Creek Ranch was named the Rocky Mountain PGA pro of the year and is excited for his eighth summer at the Rees Jones design. The nattily clad Kevin Kohlasch returns to Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis for his fourth summer at the helm, and the members – well, at least author Mac Munro – couldn’t be happier. Because finding a way to continue golfing when the local courses are groomed for Nordic skiing is what it means to be a Jackson Hole Golfer, two stories will help you keep the groove going in winter. Chris “Have Clubs, Will Travel” Pierce and his Caddytender ended up in Brookings, Oregon, earlier this year and has the pictures to prove it. Also, Salt Lake City writer Pete Saltas has lined up a road-trippers’ road map of courses along the Wasatch Front that stay open longer and open sooner. Perhaps the best guidance this year’s Jackson Hole Golfer can provide is to have fun playing golf, and two people you definitely want in your foursome write the final pieces. Matt Deehan checks in from a course in Idaho that has gone to the dogs. Meanwhile, Drew Simmons dresses down his fellow competitors. So please enjoy reading about and playing golf in Jackson Hole, and hopefully your investment of time in this handy guide delivers at least a little of the goods. And, of course, gunga galunga … gunga, gunga galunga. -Brian Siegfried, editor

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JACKSON HOLE

MAGAZINE

ISSUE VIII | FREE | SUMMER 2015

Publisher John Saltas

General Manager Andy Sutcliffe

Editor Brian Siegfried

Art Director Derek Carlisle

Advertising Sales Jen Tillotson, Caroline Zieleniewski

Copy Editor Robyn Vincent, Jake Nichols

Contributing Writers Matt “Dizzy” Deehan Mac Munro Chris “Nezz” Pierce Pete Saltas

Brian Siegfried Drew Simmons Mark Wilcox

Contributing Photographers Matt Deehan Dan Tolson Chris Pierce Brian Siegfried Becky Eidemiller

Karen Brennan Robert Garrett Tuck Fauntleroy Tim Harland Wiley Zernis

Don Alsted Shane Braman Lauren Dukoff Aly Ward

Illustration Nate Bennett FIND US ON

acebook

WWW.JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM COVER PHOTO: DAN TOLSON, 3 CREEK RANCH, HOLE NO. 15 4

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36 48

CONTENTS 8

26 54 30

THE 5 GUYS YOU MEET WHILE GOLFING IN JACKSON HOLE This group will tell you all you need to know about Teton County’s handful of fabulous golf courses. By Brian Siegfried

SHOOTING STAR WISH COMES TRUE After overcoming years of detours and obstacles, Teton Village golf development now at the top of its game. By Mark Wilcox

SCRAMBLING FOR TEE TIMES Fundraisers benefit nonprofits, offer easy access to area courses. By Chris “Nezz” Pierce

ALABAMAN IS TOP ROCKY MOUNTAIN PRO Glover returns to 3 Creek Ranch teaching tee for eighth season. By Chris “Nezz” Pierce

LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE Golf & Tennis Head Pro Kohlasch connects with players, members, staff. By Mac Munro

MOUNTAINS MEET THE SEA IN BROOKINGS Salmon Run GC, quaint town provide perfect golf getaway. By Chris “Nezz” Pierce

SHOOTIN’ GALLERY

THE JOY OF GOLF

UTAH BECKONS Keep the golf season alive in the major city closest to Jackson Hole. By Pete Saltas

GREEN LIVING Jackson Hole golf real estate enjoys greater demand than supply. By Brian Siegfried

DOG DAY AFTERNOON The Links at Teton Peaks allows fourlegged foursomes. By Matt Deehan

LET YOUR SHOES (OR YOUR SHIRT) DO THE TALKING By Drew Simmons

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The 5 guys you meet … while golfing in Jackson Hole This group will tell you all you need to know about Teton County’s handful of fabulous golf courses. BY BRIAN SIEGFRIED

he brand new, dark blue Chevy Suburban pulled up to the bag drop outside the Shooting Star pro shop in Teton Village. At the wheel was Luther Brookings, a member at 3 Creek Ranch, a private golf development on the outskirts of Town of Jackson that features a Rees Jones golf course. In the passenger seat was Bill Frumkin, his college buddy and lifelong friend from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and a member at Snake River Sporting Club. Almost before Luther shifted the Chevy to park, Andy Jackson had popped the rear doors and began removing the golf bags. Andy had been wrangling carts and caddying at Shooting Star since the Tom Fazio design opened for play in July 2009. In fact, Andy would soon clock out and don a white jumpsuit in time to join this group as a forecaddie on this azure August afternoon with light winds, no humidity and temperatures in the mid 70s. Best. Weather. On. Earth. Andy recognized both men from previous visits, addressing them by name, as the pair often played as guests of members. They were here on their own on this Tuesday, however, when Teton County residents are welcome to pay a green fee and access the otherwise private course, per an agreement during the lengthy county approval process for Shooting Star. It wasn’t easy pushing through Jackson Hole’s largest residential developments in recent decades and a major addition to the once sleepy hamlet at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. A valet whisked away the Suburban as both men ambled into the pro shop and toward the practice facility (don’t call it a 8

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driving range at a club this nice) for a few swings before their 2:30 tee time. Already at the range was Jim Nelson and Steve Black, another pair of longtime friends and Jackson Hole locals since the 70s. Jim is a member at Teton Pines and Steve belongs to Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis, a Robert Trent Jones design near Jackson Hole Airport that is the valley’s oldest course. Jim and Steve had been there for about 45 minutes, enjoying hitting brand new Titleist Pro V1s that hung in the air in front of the Grand Teton. Jim and Steve’s home courses have spaceconstricted driving ranges with limited-flight balls as enjoyable to hit as chunks of granite chiseled from the surrounding hills, so they arrived early to enjoy the premium practice time. The facilities here, just as at 3 Creek Ranch, feature multiple putting greens and short-game practice areas, a double-ended range and top-notch instruction. While also a private course, Snake River Sporting Club’s practice area is more limited, though it does offer “real” golf balls. By the time Luther and Bill pulled up to the practice facility, two foursomes of couples and their caddies were loading up their carts and heading for the first tee. “Looks like we’re in for a slow round,” said Bill, who felt a round of golf played at anything slower than a canter to be eternal, before grabbing a wedge, 7-iron, hybrid and a driver from his bag. Oh well, may as well take our time, get our money’s worth,” said Luther, who did not really worry about getting the most out of today’s greens fee after paying more than $100,000 to join 3 Creek Ranch.

“

Shooting Star’s golf membership also requires more than six figures to get a locker. Memberships at Golf & Tennis and Teton Pines are comparative bargains at much closer to $10,000, but members at those courses must share with the public after noon, not to mention numerous outings, tournaments and other golf events. Snake River Sporting Club, a private course, is priced in the middle – high enough to keep the course reserved for members and guests but low enough to convince potential members to drive the half hour south from Town of Jackson to deep in the heart of the Snake River Canyon. SRSC also offers affordable associate member programs for those already a member at one of the valley’s four other courses. While warming up, the four local members introduced themselves and decided it would be best to play as a foursome, considering the potential slowness of the groups that were currently meandering toward the first green. At that moment, the starter and Andy, the outside service employee turned caddie, arrived to help them get their clubs back on the carts and toward the course. Caddies are required of unaccompanied guests at Shooting Star, a service some players resent because of the cost but almost all ultimately appreciate. After all, it’s pretty darn nice having someone get your every yardage, clean your clubs after every shot, fix ball marks, rake sand traps, point out ski lines down the looming mountainside, and tell old golf jokes. 3 Creek Ranch has a similar system, offering professional caddies to members upon request and insisting on them for unaccompanied guests. Teton Pines once

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had a very vibrant caddie program, now mostly dissolved, that peaked in the 1990s, though it was more focused on employing local teens that were paid in part with playing privileges. Snake River Sporting Club also offers caddies upon request, but the program is still gaining momentum under new management. Finally, it was time to tee it high and let it fly. Jim, the low-handicapper in the group, led things off with a low, piercing draw that traveled 295 yards before coming to rest just 90 yards from the green. Steve, also a strong player capable of breaking 80, hit as fine a shot but slightly left and into a fairway bunker. Bill and Luther both pushed their shots to the right, coming to rest in the thin fescue ubiquitous beyond the manicured fairways of Shooting Star. All five of Jackson Hole’s golf courses begin with a manageable par 4 designed to provide a good chance to start the round with a par or better. At Shooting Star, Tom Fazio’s trademark bunkers with more bark than bite appear to be unavoidable from the tee and the green is only one of two on the course not visible from the tee, but the fairway is indeed fair and wide and the green as flat as any in the valley. Beyond that first tee shot, however, each course quickly establishes its own personality. Perhaps most distinctive is Snake River 10

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Sporting Club, which opened for play in 2006 after a very contentious approval process of its own and reopened in 2014 after its second bankruptcy halted play for four seasons. The Tom Weiskopf design winds its way along the base of a mountain, through a conifer forest and along the river bottom just yards from the Snake River. At no other course is your score likely to skyrocket as quickly, with dense weeds lying in wait just beyond the tight fairways and insidious greens. It’s long, yes, at 7,533 yards, but its treelined front nine often keeps the driver in the bag and demands accurate mid-iron play. 3 Creek Ranch also moves between different ecosystems, with the first six holes traversing some of the finest trout streams in the valley and among the tall cottonwoods that thrive on river bottomland. From there it climbs (albeit very slightly) back to the sagebrush flats and open spaces that describe much of Jackson Hole for eight holes, which are distinguished primarily by creative berming, man-made water features and challenging but could-beanywhere holes. The course ends, however, with four holes that provide the greatest views and elevation changes among the valley courses as it meanders atop one of the buttes surrounding the town of Jackson area. Perhaps most comparable in layout and style

are the valley’s two oldest courses: Teton Pines, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay in the late 80s, and Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis, which was the valley’s first course and began play in the late 60s. Both are easily the most walkable courses with no elevation change and greens and tees in close proximity. Both also weave through platted subdivisions designed to have as many single-family homes as possible along the fairways. While the bunkers at each course have been enhanced in number, size and visual profile in the last 10 years, they still reveal a basic design philosophy now mostly abandoned that traps exist to provide a relatively minor penalty for wayward shots, not to visually intimidate and deliver a life sentence to those who err ever so slightly. Separating Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis from all valley courses, however, are the in-your-face views of the Teton Range. Both back-nine par 3s offer postcard moments with shots hit right at one of the Cathedral Peaks. Its location at the center of Jackson’s “hole” – the flatlands at the center of this valley surrounded by three mountain ranges – allows for panoramic mountain views that go on and on. As the foursome contemplated their second shots on the par5 ninth hole, the Shooting Star clubhouse, and the surrounding single-family “cabins” on the other side of a large pond, came into view for the first time in nearly two hours. Thanks to its design as a “core” course, meaning all holes are grouped

together, and some comprehensive, fantastically subtle berming on an otherwise flat course, golfers see nothing but golf course and distant vistas while navigating the layout. Luther, who hit the shortest drive, laid up short of the green with a crisp six iron. It was not only unfeasible for him to reach the green, the play was in line with his severely conservative style of golf (and politics). If he could plod his way to a par he would break 40 on the front nine, a rare feat for the 68-year-old in recent years. Bill and Steve were more aggressive, wildly launching hybrid club shots at the green that both came to rest in the large bunker guarding the front of the green. Jim, however, after a big drive that left just 175 yards to the green, drew a seven iron onto the middle of the green, setting up a 20-foot eagle putt. “Nicely done, Jim!” Luther said heartily. The two had hit it off during the round, already planning to play together the following week at Teton Pines. After holing out – Jim missed the eagle putt, settling for birdie and a front nine score of 38, and Luther got his par – Andy led them to the Shooting Star snack bar. Steve ordered a hot dog and a beer to go from the limited lunch menu, while the others passed on any refreshments, having snacked on complimentary goodies along the way. While each course will keep you fed one way or the other during a round of golf with predictable sandwiches, hot dogs, power

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drinks and candy bars most really shine when it comes to fine dining. The private dining rooms at 3 Creek and Shooting Star are staffed by top chefs and highly regarded, though enjoyed only by members and guests. Teton Pines, which is open to the public, has garnered a reputation as one of the finest restaurants in all of Jackson Hole, golf course or not. The Grille at Golf & Tennis is as scenic a dining room as there is, which is why it hosts so many weddings each summer. The group found its rhythm on the back nine, as did the groups in front of them. With 10 groups on the course it was a busy afternoon for Shooting Star, but the spacing and pace were as pleasant as the weather. The days had become noticeably shorter, with dusk coming even earlier to Shooting Star than the rest of the valley due to its location at the base of the eastfacing slopes of the Tetons. As Luther teed up his ball on the 18th hole, Andy took his position to the right of the tee marker and in front of the group. The finishing hole was one of Jackson Hole’s most challenging, a long, dogleg left par four that requires a drive from these tees to carry at least 230 yards to stay dry, more to clear the gaping bunker if an aggressive line is taken. The last rays of the day shone over their shoulders, illuminating the group with flattering light and the distant mountains with a pastel alpenglow. The group was tired but buoyant with the camaraderie and friendship that comes from sharing the ups and downs of a round of golf on a beautiful day, no matter where the course happens to be. “Just beautiful,” said Bill, whose inherent impatience had faded even before the group began the back nine. “I’ll say, unless you’re talking about my play over the last few holes,” said Steve. “That’s no joke,” teased Jim, who despite having a chance to break 80 with a par on the last had already lost the team bet badly thanks to Steve’s streak of double-bogeys. “That reminds me,” said Andy. “You guys heard the one about the … ” JHG

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Teton Valley courses a different state of mind

Imagination First.

A big part of the Jackson Hole golf scene is in a completely different state. After cresting Teton Pass, which marks the southern end of the Teton Range, and crossing the state border with Idaho, five more distinctive golf courses all are just a few minutes away. A change in state of mind also occurs, with courses on the opposite side of the Tetons decidedly more affordable, accessible and relaxed overall. Headwaters Golf Club at Teton Springs is the course closest to the state line with drive time from Wilson easily less than 30 minutes. The course was designed by the triumverate of Byron Nelson, Steve Jones and Gary Stephenson and opened in 2004. The course is private, but allows a set number of non-member groups per day. Teton Reserve is just a bit further along in Idaho, located about three miles west of Victor. The Reserve is best described as the best public course in the region as it is open to all and the rates are very reasonable. At one time, the Hale Irwin design had hopes of being one of the region’s premier golf neighborhoods, but the recession interrupted construction. For golfers on a budget in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley, that turned out to be a good thing. Targhee Village Golf Course was for many years Teton Valley’s only golf course, an open 9-hole layout perfect for beginners and fun for better players. Today there are two more holes and a better practice range but the rates remain very affordable. The course is technically in Wyoming, located just over Stateline Road and to the east of Driggs. Huntsman Springs, a nationally ranked jewel of a course located in downtown Driggs, is Teton Valley’s sole completely private course and community. Designed by David McLay Kidd and opened in 2010, it is a rolling challenge lined with water and tall native grasses meant to remind of Old World courses.

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The Links at Teton Peaks were born of one man’s dreams to turn his backyard into a golf course, with no intention of selling real estate or getting rich selling greens fees. Bob Wilson opened what was then just nine holes in 1999, offering Teton Valley a second option for golf. Since then a second nine has been added, Wilson sold the property to a company that manages another course in Idaho Falls, and the loyal following of players has only grown.

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Shooting Star wish comes true After overcoming years of detours and obstacles, Teton Village golf development now at the top of its game. BY MARK WILCOX

ocation, as the saying goes, is a key to successful development, which certainly explains some of the success enjoyed by Shooting Star Jackson Hole since opening in Teton Village in 2009. On still summer mornings, hot air balloons filled with tourists awed by Teton grandeur dot the skies above its fairways. When winds cooperate, the colorful arcs of paragliders can often be seen swooping across the skies. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, known internationally for its steep slopes and the Aerial Tram that transports skiers and summer visitors to the 10,450-foot summit of Rendezvous Mountain, towers above the course. From there, the layout of the golf course and real estate development is clearly evident. On the ground, Shooting Star has its own story to tell. Though it is now widely hailed as one of the best modern courses in the country with a fast-growing membership and neighborhood, success was never a foregone conclusion. Its challenges included a neutered economy, a growth-averse political climate, strong competition and Mother Nature herself.

FROM FLAT TO FANCY Perhaps Jackson Hole’s most distinguishing feature is a flat valley floor from which the Teton Range erupts abruptly without a preamble of foothills. Hence, Jackson’s “hole.” On the other side of the mountains, such foothills are abundant before the land flattens out. While this makes for

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incredible views from the valley floor, for a golf course designer it means even the slightest elevation change must be contrived. “It was a completely flat hayfield,” said Shooting Star president John Resor of the property now occupied by rolling hills and berms, dramatically sloped greens and numerous water features. At peak construction 450 people were working on the entire Shooting Star project to reshape more than 2 million cubic yards of material dug from the ground. The course was intricately designed and precisely shaped by massive earthmovers to create sightlines both aesthetic and private. Creating the course’s new landscape ran up a bill of $29 million. “That’s a big number for a golf course,” Resor said, adding that previous efforts by other designers cost closer to $12 million to build. But world-renowned designer Tom Fazio made it clear from the start that building a great course that fit Jackson Hole’s environment would cost on the order of $30 million. Jackson Hole Property Guide reported in 2009 that the developers took out a $72 million loan – from Wells Fargo at a time when financing was hard to get – in order to pay off a $25 million construction loan from Jackson State Bank & Trust and finish out the project with the quality they demanded. “We were the only new real estate development loan made in the country by Wells Fargo,” Resor said. “The markets were tightening for everybody and they issued us the line of credit.”

The results speak for themselves. Among its honors, Shooting Star in 2010 was named Golfweek’s third best new course in the nation, right behind Huntsman Springs on the other side of the Tetons in Driggs, Idaho. In 2015, the magazine again gave the course a third-best rating, but this time on the much more inclusive list of the best residential courses in the country. The process was one of excruciating attention to detail. Mike Kramer, currently Shooting Star’s membership and marketing director, worked extensively on the property from 2006 to 2008 as a Fazio design associate. Kramer, who worked for Fazio for 11 years, said it was important during the construction phase to remain flexible and be able to react to perceived problems as things came together. He said having someone like him on the site every week was important to make sure Fazio’s vision was executed precisely when the architect himself wasn’t on-site. For example, hole six was planned as a par three that played over Fish Creek on the property’s western boundary. However, while it was being built construction began on a house right behind where the green would have been, surprising everyone. “We caught it,” Kramer said. “We moved the green probably 80 yards to the south where the old tee for No. 7 would be. We completely reshaped that whole area knowing we didn’t want a house sitting behind the green.” The move framed the Hobacks – a trio of ski runs – as the backdrop for the green instead of the new home. “You react to things that are shaped in the field and make them better,” he said. “If the team isn’t back at the right time it won’t get done. It gets very expensive to move it later.” Kramer also immersed himself when it came to determining the look, sound and feel of the manmade streams. “People think our streams are natural,” Resor said. “We took photos of streams in Grand Teton National Park and said ‘This is the look we’re trying to get.’ Mike Kramer would move rocks around in a stream to make it look perfectly natural.”

‘ALL IN’ THE ONLY WAY TO WIN Resor and his family knew they had to make Shooting Star special to make it work. “The strategy we took was we wanted to be the best and make it a no-brainer that we’re far better than the competition,” Resor said. “People are attracted to quality and even when economic times are difficult they’ll be attracted to the best.”

Developer John Resor, Senator Tom Barrasso and course designer Tom Fazio at the 2009 grand opening. Craig Roberts, design principle for Hart How- ment for many of the developer-built cabins erton, the architecture firm that designed the and single-family lots, which also require the clubhouse, described Resor’s vision as “brave.” purchase of a membership. Approximately “[Resor] had a real challenge in making this 80 percent of charter members chose not to thing work financially up front,” Roberts said. have their deposits refunded despite the al“He had to build, up front, something that’s tered economy. going to attract buyers “We kind of weathered and offer them the lifethat early storm,” Kramer style they want and still said. pencil out. … At the time Shooting Star had atyou’re looking at the other tracted 149 members by side of that and there’s the time it opened. Since nothing and you’re spendthen, membership has ing money to try to build a scaled up. As of early April dream.” there were 256 golf memConstruction costs alone bers, with an eventual cap for the clubhouse and other at 335. The club also has course buildings totaled 103 social members and approximately $36 million, 144 alpine members. That Craig Roberts, architect for a total up front cost of may not sound like enough about $65 million for just the course and amenito support a $65 million investment and its onties. going maintenance, but a six-figure memberKramer also spoke to the faith it took for ship fee and its associated dues add up. the Resors to do the initial build-out. He said a A golf membership has initiation fees of lot of clubs wait until they have a solid mem- $120,000 with annual dues beyond that of bership base and steady cash flow before $14,100. Social members – who don’t have building a permanent clubhouse. golf privileges but have access to other ame“It showed their commitment to the longevnities at the club such as the restaurant, pool ity of Shooting Star,” Kramer said. and spa – pay $70,000 in initiation fees and By the time the economy had unmistakably $6,000 in annual dues. Alpine members, who tanked, there was already strong commitget their own locker complete with heated

[Resor] had a real challenge in making this thing work financially up front."

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boot dryers and on-call transit to the tram dock, pay $25,000 to sign on with annual dues of $1,150. Only golf members can qualify for the alpine memberships. “Basically, golf courses typically maybe they break even,” Resor said. “They don’t really generate a lot of cash; ours has been profitable the last couple years because of a lot of memberships. The goal is to make the golf course dependable, but real estate is what really drives everything.” Resor would not say exactly how much real estate income Shooting Star has generated, but did confirm the number is “well over $200 million,” a figure suggested by a local real estate broker.

WEST BANK LAND SHUFFLE Well before the economic storm, the development that would become Shooting Star faced strong headwinds immediately upon inception in a valley averse to development. Ironically, the course was envisioned as a way to conserve the Resor family’s multi-generational ranching business. John Resor’s grandfather, Stanley Resor, came to Jackson in 1929 shortly after his 11-year-old son called while visiting the valley from the East Coast to emphatically recommend that the family buy property in the area. Shortly thereafter the Resors bought 100 acres along the Snake River. The price? About $5,000. Even adjusting for inflation, the land was

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still a steal at about $69,000 in today’s dollars, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator. Additional land purchases followed and the Snake River Ranch was born – a 7,000-acre sprawl of open space between Wilson and Teton Village. The ranch is interrupted about halfway along its length by a 640acre section of land owned by the state of Wyoming. Referred to as the Teton Village school section, the acreage was set aside upon its establishment in the late 19th century by the state to draw rental income that would support schools. In the early 2000s, the Resor family attempted to swap that land for land it owned adjacent to Teton Village so its ranch would be uninterrupted. Simultaneously, Christopher Johnston, at the time a member of Teton Pines and CEO of the investment firm Merbanco, Inc., tried to acquire the land for at least $36.5 million from the state Board of Land Commissioners. Johnston’s plan, according to Resor, was to develop two golf courses on the property in the heart of the Snake River Ranch. Johnston argued that state statute required the state to put land up for auction to the highest responsible bidder, barring any land swaps of the nature being pursued by the Resor family through its Snake River Associates. The $36.5 million would have been Merbanco’s opening bid on the property if the auction happened, meaning the price feasibly could have gone higher. The Wyoming Education Association sided with Johnston and intervened in a lawsuit demanding the state sell instead of swap the

valuable land. The case ascended to the Wyoming Supreme Court before it was resolved in favor of Shooting Star and the state, though the state hasn’t sold or swapped the land to this day. Johnston did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

CONTROVERSIAL COUNTY APPROVAL Johnston and the Wyoming Education Association weren’t the only local challenges SRA faced. At one point Teton County commissioners voted 3-2 to deny Shooting Star a place in the valley despite overwhelming business and community support, according to former Teton County Commissioner Jim Darwiche. When Shooting Star first presented its plan to the five-person board of commissioners, Darwiche was the third “nay” vote. Resor said the vote wasn’t official, however, until two weeks later when the minutes were published, meaning the board could vote again if a commissioner who voted “nay” called for a revote. At the time of the failed vote, Resor already had $1 million in sod ordered for the course. “I’m thinking: ‘I have a lot of sod,’” he said. Resor lobbied county commissioners in an effort to get a revote. One commissioner had a policy of not speaking to developers, but Resor found one, Leland Christensen, who said he would call for a revote. Darwiche called this a big favor. Since one commissioner blocked all communications and Christensen promised he wouldn’t change sides, Darwiche was Resor’s only chance to swing the vote. Resor met with him and the county attorney in an effort to increase the project’s benefit to the community after Darwiche called Shooting Star’s original development plan “half-baked.” “First of all, the project came about with only 43 acres of open space,” Darwiche said. “That’s all they offered. Your rule [as a commissioner] is to have the wisdom and the thoughtfulness to make sure

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every project is a good project for this valley.” “This is our history. We let someone come and write it or we write it But Darwiche said he felt enormous pressure from the community with honesty and integrity. … I’m sure there are a lot of positive things to vote “yea,” especially from salivating real estate agents who were that a project like [Shooting Star] will bring to the community – jobs, active in the process, fully seeing the potential for bread-and-butter stability – but it becomes this balance between the environment and transactions on the horizon. wildlife, future generations and business,” Darwiche said. “This huge project was going to change the look About a decade later, it is already hard to and feel of the whole valley, but it was like open imagine Teton Village without Shooting Star’s arms from all the directions,” Darwiche said. “It was presence along with associated changes such as scary. There were a lot of powerful people behind it.” a vastly improved public transportation plan for Darwiche said it would have been easier to conHighway 390 and an affordable housing develtinue to say “no” and walk away, leaving the probopment that will forever be at its core. During this lem to future generations that might not handle time huge investments by Teton Village Associait as well. So among his requests, he asked for tion to improve infrastructure and Jackson Hole more affordable housing and more open space Mountain Resort to upgrade skier amenities have to be incorporated into the project. Darwiche got gone hand in hand with Shooting Star’s ascenhis wishes – Shooting Star now advertises 1,800 dance as one of Jackson Hole’s premier neighacres of open space. Additionally, 45 percent of borhoods. all housing the developers will build is affordable It’s hard to say what the next 10 years will bring or employee housing, triple what was required by to Teton Village and the Resor family. That could statute. be the subject of an even lengthier article, but at According to Darwiche, the developers also Shooting Star’s opening celebration, which drew hadn’t studied wildlife migration concerns, hadn’t local and national dignitaries along with project Jim Darwiche, former Teton done studies about how the development would heads, eyes were already looking forward. County Commissioner change traffic in the area and generally hadn’t “All these people came up and said, ‘When are designed a true community where supermarkets we going to do the next project?’” Resor said. and schools could spring up when necessary. While Resor has yet to answer that question, “Is there a true village there with a soul to it or is it just another it’s apparent that in an evolving development integral to one special tourism place – a Disneyworld where people come and go?” Darwiche corner of Jackson Hole, change is certain. But that’s just par for the asked. course. JHG Eventually, after securing what he felt were critical concessions, DarMark Wilcox is a Jackson Hole native who once played 103 holes of wiche changed his vote, giving Shooting Star its green light to start golf in one day and didn’t par any of them. He is currently the eDaily building greens. Editor of Wyoming Business Report.

“THIS HUGE PROJECT WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE WHOLE VALLEY, BUT IT WAS LIKE OPEN ARMS FROM ALL THE DIRECTIONS. IT WAS SCARY.” -

ISSUE 8 | 2015 • JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM

3 Creek Ranch Golf Club

celebrates

10 Years

This year marks the 10th anniversary of 3 Creek Ranch Golf Club. The story of the land and its development goes back several generations. The original settlers of the property were Effie Wilson and Earl Simpson. In the 1930s the location also was home to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and a Federal Fish Hatchery. Today you can still see foundations and cement pools near Estate Site 45. The ranch was owned by a number of families throughout the years, but each shared a philosophy of preserving and protecting the land as well as enjoying the abundant fly-fishing on the property. The vision of 3 Creek Ranch was launched in 2002 when the developers purchased the property from Harry and Bucky Oliver, whose family had owned and operated a ranch since the 1960s.

When the Club was founded in November 2003, there were 13 initial members. The golf course opened in July of 2005, and the Clubhouse was finished in 2007. A state-of-that-art fitness center, pool and tennis program were opened in 2007, and the Nordic track debuted in 2009. Today the club offers a wide range of outdoor activities, as well as cultural, community service and educational opportunities. Its members also enjoy the only private, skiin ski-out club at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, located across from the Aerial Tram. Golf Digest often has named 3 Creek Ranch the top golf course in Wyoming. This year, Director of Golf Greg Glover was named the top golf educator by the Rocky Mountain Section PGA. Today, the Club includes more than 200 members and it is quickly approaching its goal of becoming the only memberowned club in the valley. In August, 3 Creek Ranch Golf Club will celebrate its 10th anniversary and its 3rd annual Rees Jones Invitational golf tournament. The event supports Jackson Hole Community Foundation and Old Bill’s Fun Run and has raised more than $75,000 to support local nonprofits. “We are looking forward to celebrating this special anniversary with our club members and community,” said Chad Becker, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. “The founders, members, and staff of 3 Creek Ranch Golf Club should be proud that the Club has developed into a spectacular golf course, but more importantly, it has become an incredible year-round, full-service club that understands the importance of community, family and friendship.”

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Scrambling for tee times Fundraisers benefit nonprofits, offer easy access to area courses. BY CHRIS “NEZZ” PIERCE

here are four main ways to get a tee time at one of Jackson Hole’s normally prohibitive-to-the-regular guy golf courses: pony up the membership fee (yeah, right); wait for the call to play as a guest of a member (more likely); pay the resort-level greens fees (maybe in May or October, when they drop considerably); or, my favorite, enter a foursome in one the numerous benefit tournaments that fill the summer calendar. And what’s not to like about Door Number 4? There’s golf at a fantastic local course, beer, catered food, camaraderie, support for a worthy cause, beer, impressive swag, and beer.

The mood and atmosphere at these events are good spirited with players there to not only support the worthy cause being celebrated but also to stick it to the man by walking in the front door of a clubhouse usually off limits to the blue collar golfer. There are a few drawbacks, however, to the fundraiser circuit. Rounds are usually not hasty, with a packed course of amateur (and in some cases I mean really amateur) golfers; the format is almost always a scramble, which is fun but does not allow for an individual score; and, though not a strictly scientific observation, Mother Nature seems to favor these afternoon events with some creative weather (read: thunderstorms with mixed forms of precipitation, wind, and fluctuating temperatures).

TOURNEY TAKES Here is a quick look at some of the region’s most established fundraising golf events: The 10th Annual Bronc Backer Tournament will benefit Jackson Hole High School athletic teams, helping pay for uniforms and equipment. This tournament will be played at Teton Pines on May 31. Started by former student and Jackson Hole High School football coach Bill Wiley, the Bronc Backer always features a full field of passionate supporters. “The tournament started as a means to raise money for football equipment but has since broadened to all the Bronc sports teams, to spread the wealth,” Wiley explained. The Cowboy Joe Golf Series makes its way to Jackson on June 16 at Shooting Star in Teton Village and is one of 14 tournaments around the state that raises scholarship funds for the 300-plus student athletes at University of Wyoming. This is a handicapped tournament, which helps to create a balanced playing field for all the competitors. Winners have 20

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Bronc Backer organizer Bill Wiley

The excepTional club experience Golf and so much more

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Jackson hole, 3 creek ranch Golf club provides a convenient location where family and friends come together to enjoy a premier mountain lifestyle in an exclusive private club setting.

celebrating 10 years

2800 ranch house circle | Jackson, WY 83001 | (307) 732-8920 | 3creekranchgolfclub.org

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Tee it Up for the Tetons

Kristen Karn Classic

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an opportunity to qualify for the championship tournament held later in the summer. Members and nonmembers of the Cowboy Joe Club are encouraged to participate as valuable merchandise is raffled off at each event. “The Cowboy Joe club is critical for the success of Wyoming athletics,” said Nicole Davis, former UW soccer player. “The athletic department wouldn’t be able to do the things that it does without it. Wyoming has some of the best athletic facilities in the country and Cowboy Joe Club has a huge role in that.” The Teton Youth and Family Services tournament will celebrate its 18th year at Shooting Star in Teton Village on June 16. Proceeds support the three critical local entities that comprise TYFS: Van Vleck House programs offer support for troubled youths and aids the juvenile court system including housing for those in need or who are court ordered to complete a regimented program. The Hirschfield Center helps children avoid behavioral, emotional and mental health problems by strengthening families and working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Finally, Red Top Meadows provides residential treatment and therapeutic wilderness programs for adolescent males with behavioral, emotional and/or mental health issues. The fourth Annual Kristen Karn Classic is a favorite amongst locals and will be played at Snake River Sporting Club September 27. The KKC celebrates the life of an amazing woman that donated countless hours and love to the safety and humanity of the pet population who is ever growing in the area. All proceeds are donated to the Star Valley Humane Society and assist in the wellbeing of all the animals that come through Lucky’s Place Shelter in Thayne. “We are so thankful for the supporting golf courses that have allowed us to raise money for the Star Valley Humane Society and honor Kristen’s legacy as a true animal lover,” said Dan Karn. Star Valley Medical Center will host its 16th annual golf tournament at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Star Valley Ranch on June 16. Similar to fundraisers for hospitals in Teton Valley and/or Jackson Hole, proceeds assist in the purchase of needed equipment and or upgrades to existing medical center needs. In Teton Valley, the Golf til you Drop tournament on June 18 benefits Teton Valley Hospital by raising money for hospital equipment or programs based on need. The event is not for the easily tired as it is a 92-hole tournament that starts at six in the morning and continues until all five area courses – Targhee Village, The Links at Teton Peaks, The Reserve, Teton Springs and Huntsman Springs – have been completed. Glow balls and glow sticks are used to guide golfers at Targhee Village, the first course on the itinerary, as it is still dark when the first golfers get underway. “A fun but exhausting tournament,” said Lance Pitman, a Teton Valley resident who has participated several times. “I always try to break 80 on every course but Huntsman Springs always gets me.” St. John’s Medical Center will host its 23rd annual golf tournament and silent auction at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis on August 24 to help fund equipment needs at the hospital. “This event is one of the oldest ongoing tournaments in Jackson and one of two ma jor fundraisers for the auxiliary each year,” said Sue Critzer, auxiliary president. “Proceeds always go directly toward our pledges for needed equipment at the hospital and living center.” Teton Valley Hospital double dips on the summer golf fundraisers, also hosting the annual Tee it Up for the Tetons at Teton Springs in September. This fundraiser raises breast cancer awareness and helps pay for free mammograms for anyone that wants one.

Calendar of Regional Golf Fundraisers

Bronc Backer May 31 Golf & Tennis Cowboy Joe June 16 Golf & Tennis Cedar Creek Golf Course Star Valley Medical Center June 16 Teton Youth and Family Services June 16 Shooting Star Golf til you Drop/ TV Hospital June 18 5 Idaho Courses Tee it up for the Tetons July 21 Teton Springs St. John’s Medical Center Aug. 24 Golf & Tennis Outlaw Classic Aug. 30 Star Valley Ranch VARD Sept. 8 Teton Springs Sean McEachern Classic Sept. 21 Huntsman Springs Kristen Karn Classic Sept. 27 Sporting Club

The VARD (Valley Advocates for Responsible Development) tournament in Teton Valley, Idaho, raises funds to help ensure responsible development in this corner of Eastern Idaho. Teton Valley was one of the fastest growing communities in the United Sates but with the housing market fall-out was stuck with an overstock of homes and lots and facing one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. The tournament has taken place at Huntsman Springs in the past but the 6th annual charity event will be played at Teton Springs on September 8. The Sean McEachern Classic, in just its third year, also will be held at Teton Springs on September 21. This is a smaller tournament organized by friends of Sean to celebrate the memorable life of an avid golfer who lived life

to the fullest and one of Jackson’s finest bartenders and citizens. One of the crazier fundraising tournaments of the year belongs to the Thayne Fire Department Annual Outlaw Classic at Star Valley Ranch RV Park course in late August. Eighteen holes of non-traditional golf have participants using their wits as well as their golf skills to compete for best of the best. Wearing oven mitts while teeing off, putting around a toilet lid, teeing off using a baseball tee and hitting left-handed are a few of the disadvantages making for a day of absentminded golf adventure. “This is one of the most fun golf tournaments of the season because it requires you to think outside the box,” said John Beckett, tourney participant. “Even the best golfers will

struggle trying to hit a ball with oven mitts on.” Common to all the tournaments mentioned above, and those not on our radar, is a commitment to supporting causes and nonprofits important to maintaining quality of life and community character. There are generous, civic-minded people in all corners of the country, but philanthropy really thrives in the greater Jackson Hole region, and these events are only a small part of that commitment. All tournaments mentioned above are open to the public and often include a full field, so call early with questions and to make reservations. Or, if you can’t join them, please consider supporting the worthy causes with other forms of support. JHG

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TETON PI N ES CO U NT RY CLU B Teton Pines Country Club is located at the base of the Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, was opened in 1987. Stretching 7,412 yards, the par 72 course is surrounded by majestic mountains, breathtaking scenery and working ranches. Players will also find an awardwinning golf shop and a full practice facility. The resort also features excellent dining, meeting/conference/ banquet facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, fly fishing instruction and a magnificent cross-country ski center in winter. The golf season generally begins in early May and continues through late October. 24

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THE PINES RE S T A URAN T Exceptional Dining Beautiful Weddings & Events

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Alabaman is top Rocky Mountain pro

Glover returns to 3 Creek Ranch teaching tee for eighth season. BY CHRIS “NEZZ” PIERCE

reg Glover is the head golf professional at 3 Creek Ranch and has been there since 2008, when he relocated from Huntsville, Alabama. The opportunity surfaced when his college roommate, Billy Cleveland, who was the burgeoning golf community’s first head pro, moved up to general manager and hired Greg to replace himself. Greg was assistant pro at Huntsville at the time but moving to Jackson Hole and embracing the opportunity was something he could not pass up. The transition from assistant pro to head pro has been a source of pride for Greg as he has put his heart and soul into developing the teaching program at 3 Creek Ranch. Greg’s hard work and determination paid off in 2014, when he was awarded the Rocky Mountain Section PGA Teacher of the Year after being nominated three times, an impressive achievement in a highly competitive industry. “I feel that teaching golf, and being good at it, is one of the most important responsibilities for PGA professionals,” Greg said. “We must grow the game and it’s easier to grow the game with proper instruction. I can’t tell you how much study and effort I have put into my instruction programs to make the game easier for every type of player.” Starting at the age of 15 in the bag room at Huntsville County Club, Greg worked for playing privileges as his parents were both teachers and were not members at any area country club. To him it was the best kind of monetary compensation because he could play whenever he 26

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wasn’t working. It took about a year of hard work before he started actually getting a paycheck to accompany the golf privileges. Gene Diamond was the Huntsville head pro at the time and took an interest in Greg, introducing him to formal golf instruction and helping pave the way for Greg’s golf industry career. He would help Greg with his game, watch him hit golf balls and provide encouragement when needed. To Greg it was a very special gesture, motivating him to take his ability to the next level. With loyalty to his home state and home course, Greg stayed at Huntsville Country Club all through high school and college and eventually became the assistant head professional. Having been at 3 Creek Ranch now for eight years, Greg has made it his passion to use today’s technology and resources to offer golfers of all strengths and abilities the opportunity to learn the game of golf and better themselves in every aspect of the sport. Just like any sport, the equipment has gotten more sophisticated and so have the teaching utilities to aid in swing development and analysis.

“The advancements in equipment are wonderful but we don’t use it unless we need to,” Glover said. “I want to keep things as simple as possible. I will not let a student pay too much attention to the numbers or the technology.” For those young pros looking to pursue a career in golf instruction, Greg has some guidance. “Make sure you love the game and the business of golf. This industry is very hard and competitive,” Glover said. “We see so many young people get into this business for the wrong reasons. But for those who understand the business and really want to pursue a career in golf they should attend a college with a professional golf management or turf grass program.” Have you ever had a hole in one? “I have had four aces in my life. The most recent one was at the RMSPGA Championship last year on a par four at Black Bull in Bozeman, Montana. The tees were moved up from their normal spot and the hole was playing 302,” Glover said. “So I drove first and hit a really good tee shot. We couldn’t see the balls land because of some fairway bunkers in the fairway short of the green. We found the two other balls in the fairway and after a brief search we found mine in the hole.” But that remarkable shot was only part of the story. “One of the guys I was playing with chipped up a nice second shot that rolled perfectly into the cup for an eagle,” Glover said. “We really celebrated then. Now the pressure was all on the third player in our group. He hit an average chip shot on the green and then rolled in a 15-footer for three. So we had a one, two and three on the par four. I’m not sure that has ever been done before and may not happen ever again.” Throughout his professional career, Greg has had the privilege of playing golf with some notable people on some of the most amazing courses in the country. PGA Tour pro Stewart Cink, former President George W. Bush, NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice top the list of celebrity visitors to 3 Creek Ranch. More important than helping members and guests play better golf, however, is creating positive experiences for everyone he meets, whether on the teaching tee or beyond. “Greg is an ethical and caring man,” said Jane Smith, 3 Creek Ranch administrative director. “When it comes to golf, he is both talented and knowledgeable. You can always count on Greg for a good laugh, as he has an infectious sense of humor.” In his spare time, which is limited, Greg likes to spend time with his two kids, Seth, 7, and Ella, 9, and finds enjoyment in remodeling homes.

A passion for teaching drives Glover.

“Chris “Nezz” Pierce is a Jackson Hole High School graduate with a lifelong passion for golf. To pay for tee times he is a graphic designer.” JHG

Glover lives on the practice tee.

Nice shot, pardner! ISSUE 8 | 2015 • JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM

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Leader in the clubhouse Golf & Tennis Head Pro Kohlasch connects with players, members, staff. BY MAC MUNRO

ou can’t mistake the look of 37-year-old Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Head Golf Professional Kevin Kohlasch: dressed to the nines, pressed pants and shirt, hair meticulously quaffed, a twinkle in his eye and beaming with confidence. In addition to looking the part, the fourth-year head pro has proven his leadership skills, earning the respect of members, guests and coworkers. I have been lucky to call Kevin a friend since 2003, when we first met in Florida, where I visit my family each spring and always find time for a few rounds of golf. At the time Kevin was an assistant professional at Naples Grande Golf Club and we often played together, beginning a long history of me leaning on him for golf tips and strategies. While visiting in 2006, Kevin asked if I had ever heard of Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis as they were looking for a seasonal assistant professional. As a member of the club, I told Kevin he would love it in Jackson Hole. Within a year he was working as an assistant under Head Pro Mark Bradley, now Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis director of golf instruction, and did so for three years. After a few summers away from Jackson Hole, Kevin returned in 2013 to take over as head pro. “When I stepped aside I was asked if I had any recommendations to replace me,” Bradley said. “There was only one person who came to mind, Kevin Kohlasch. I was so happy when they hired him. He’s a great professional who’s done a fantastic job at the club.” In the winter, Kevin works as an assistant 30

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pro at Windstar on Naples Bay, earning equal praise from his peers. “Kevin is definitely my right hand man here at Windstar. I couldn’t run the operation the way we do without him,” said WONB Head Pro Dan Heaslip. “He possesses a magnetic personality combined with his GQ-like good looks that attract high praises from members and staff alike.”

SUCCESS A TEAM EFFORT And like any good leader, he gives full credit to his team. “I definitely want to add Brian Brewer and Jason Lucas to the mix in terms of operations at the club,” Kohlasch said. “We have four years together as a team and we have made some positive change. Taking care of the little things and providing a consistent product are what we focus on.” Many an early evening I’ve finished playing and found Kevin in the cart barn alone, sleeves rolled up, cleaning and prepping carts for the next day of business. It is important for Kevin to lead by example, and his work ethic sets the tone for every golf services employee. In addition to keeping the trains running on time, his primary areas of focus are building the junior program, bolstering the ladies league and creating a competitive golf atmosphere for the avid golfers of Jackson Hole. “Kevin has a certain aura around him that is hard to explain but he makes me a better golfer and makes me want to come back to the course and play every day,” said Golf &

Tennis member Kent Hawkins. “As great as he is a teacher of the game, I am honored to call him a great friend.”

A LIFETIME ON THE LINKS Kevin grew up in the suburbs of New York City, learning to play golf from his grandfather, Henry Cipolla, at Westchester Country Club. “My grandfather taught me the game and what it takes to work for a living and take risks. He always told me not to be afraid to make mistakes,” Kevin said. His father also set a strong example. “Organization and attention to detail are two things I learned from watching my father run his boat hauling business that have always stuck,” Kevin said. Kevin’s passion for golf was fired by early childhood trips to the golf course, molding his connection and love of the game. Kevin’s brother Keith is also in the golf business, working as superintendent at Loch Lloyd Country Club in Kansas City, MO. Kevin graduated in 2000 from Eisenburg School of Management at UMASS Amherst and that is where he met his wife, Mary Naughton. The two were married in October 2012 and welcomed their first child, Jillian, earlier this year. After college Kevin took a run at the financial world, working for an investment firm in New York City, but it was clear this wasn’t the career path that would define him. So Kevin packed his bags and moved to Naples, where he began his apprenticeship by working in the cart barn

Winters in Florida, summers in Wyoming.

Welcome to Jackson Hole, Jillian. at Naples Grande, quickly working his way up the ranks. While Kevin now splits his time between Florida and Wyoming, his New York upbringing remains a big part of his life as he continues to follow the Yankees, Rangers, Knicks and Buffalo Bills and is quick to display his encyclopedic knowledge of these teams and sports in general. His favorite athletes are Thurman Thomas and Derek Jeter. Returning to Jackson Hole this summer will be particularly satisfying as it will be the first

with his young family. I believe that will create a great balance of satisfying work and spending time with his wife and daughter in the beauty of Jackson. As he has grown through out his professional golf career, Kevin will now have the opportunity to share his values and passion for life with his family surrounded by a core of colleagues, friends, and members that care very much for him. The real conflict arises at the end of each season, when the members and the management team try to convince Kevin to return for

another year. But I like our chances of seeing him again next summer. “The members at the club make me want to return. I have never felt so much support at any club I have worked at,” Kevin said. Mac Munro is a former Teton County golf champ, proud husband and father, youth hockey coach, and percussionist with the band Mandatory Air. JHG

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Steeped in history, and built for those with a passion for the sporting life, the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club offers a remarkable opportunity to enjoy the unmatched Teton views and full-service amenities to members and guests alike. Consistently ranked one of the top golf courses in Wyoming, and in the country, by Golf Digest Magazine, Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club features full-service golf and tennis pro shops with club rentals and lessons. Enjoy the best views in the valley at the North Grill Restaurant with indoor and patio dining for lunch and dinner. Celebrating 50 years of legendary golf. Visit our website at www.jhgtc.com to view our facility and to download the JHG&TC Wedding Planner.

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CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY For Tee Time Reservations, call 307.733.3111 For dining reservations at the North Grille, call 307.733.7788 For Membership, Weddings, Special Events and Group Golf Events, contact Steve Cole at 307.733.7787

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ISSUE 8 | 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM

the sea in BROOKINGS Salmon Run Golf Course, quaint town provide perfect golf getaway. BY CHRIS “NEZZ” PIERCE

inding the perfect golf travel destination can mean different things to different golfers. Should it be a place that also offers tropical delights? Should the area offer multiple courses or is one gem enough? Perhaps cost and proximity are the primary factors. My girlfriend Alyson, AKA the “Caddytender” for her specialized set of bartender and caddying skills, and I have been traveling around for years searching for the perfect mix of golf, dining, scenery, overall cost and local charm. Our travels have taken us from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to San Francisco to Arizona to Nevada- all within a short plane ride from Wyoming and focused primarily on places to play golf during the cold winter months in Wyoming. Our latest adventure involved looking at a map, finding a town with scenic beauty, a fun and challenging golf course and a destination we had not yet experienced. When we visited Brookings, Oregon, in February we found a quiet, natural setting, friendly locals, fantastic oceanside golf course and a vibrant, environmentally aware community not unlike Jackson Hole. Located six miles north of the California border and directly on the Oregon Coast, Brookings is a quaint and charming little town with less than 10,000 residents in an area with a rich history of logging, commercial fishing and agriculture. Only 3.9 square miles, Brookings is reminiscent of a yet-to-be-discovered resort town much like Jackson before its increased popularity and airport expansion. Producer of most of the nation’s Easter lilies, Brookings is known as Oregon’s “banana belt,” with a warmer weather pattern and rainfall than the rest of the Pacific Northwest. The coastal landscape is decorated with intricate monoliths along Oregon’s vast beach line. Large driftwood logs garnish the beaches and add dramatic effect to the crashing waves and ornamental rock formations. Creative beach huts made from collected driftwood branches act as art pieces and welcome visitors walking the beaches. Alyson and I watched the sun set from the cracks of one of these huts, pretending like we were survivors on a tropical island. 34

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After the sun set, we retreated to our room at the Best Western Plus Beachfront Inn, which overlooked the beach and offered some of the best views money can buy. The sounds of the tide and the salty air cleared our minds of all things responsible and allowed our bodies to transition into vacation mode from the long drive up the Northern California coast.

SMALL TOWN, ABUNDANT BEAUTY

Although small in scale, Brookings has yearround community events. For the non-golfers in your group, festivals and art fairs including the Winter Art and Chocolate festival in February and the Festival of Art in August are popular events that bring area artisans together to display and sell their works. There also are crab festivals, kite festivals, boat tours, good surf and amazing seafood all within the town of Brookings. A beautiful 25-minute coastal drive south brings you to Crescent City, CA, another coastal town and home to the world’s largest redwood trees. If you have never stood before these ma jestic giants, it is worth a visit. Lifesized Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues welcome you to a gondola ride along the tops of these beastly trees. Since golf was the objective on our trip, we made it an early night after a good seafood dinner at Sebastian’s across the street from our hotel while listening to a few Sinatra tracks from a lounge singer in the bar. The next morning was mesmerizing as the mystic fog gracefully rose above the sea foam and salmon-colored morning dawn. The dense salty air, cold beach walk and hot cup of coffee

PHOTO COURTESY OF SALMON RUN GOLF COURSE

MOUNTAINS meet

PHOTO COURTESY OF SALMON RUN GOLF COURSE

were a perfect way to start the morning. Perfectly lined waves marched in from the ocean in a rhythmic pattern and had it not been for the temperature of the Pacific in February, a leisurely surf would have been necessary. The perfect morning turned sublime when I ran into a fellow Jackson Hole High School alumnus at breakfast before heading to the golf course. To be recognized in a distant town was awesome and helped fuel an already delightful day heading to the golf course.

FUN AT SALMON RUN

Our next destination was Salmon Run Golf Course, a 7,200-yard course from the tips. A four-mile drive east of Brookings along the Chetco River and into a heavily wooded forest brings you to the small golf course parking lot and proshop/cafe.

If you also are an angler, the Chetco River, which spills into the Pacific Ocean in Brookings, boasts steelhead, cutthroat trout and salmon fishing. Salmon Run expands out into a hilly valley of pine tree-lined golf holes, with lush shades of green that only Oregon or Washington can provide, and a deep ravine that runs the length of the golf course. Narrow and undulating fairways weave throughout tall trees to create picturesque but difficult tee shots. Most holes have elevated tees or greens offering outstanding views. The distances between holes and the steep cart paths further lengthen the golf course and should require a golf cart regardless of athletic condition. The greens are tight and in terrific shape, lending plenty of landing space for the approach.

Walking up to the fourth tee box presents a stunning view of this breathtaking, but very unforgiving, par three island green. Finding the bunkers or deep rough would at least allow you to find your ball, maybe, if you miss the green on this signature hole. Various blind shots come into play throughout. A large bell with a rope is the indicator to the groups behind that the green is clear. Being that it is Oregon, they do get rain and the course tends to be more saturated in the winter and is often muddy. However, it is better than snow in Wyoming and you are golfing in winter, so get over it! Oregon golfers clearly take it in stride as I was introduced to Oregon mudder golf shoes, which I had never seen before. Hiking boots with golf cleats. Who knew? Chris and Alyson, aka Bonnie and Clyde, are taking suggestions for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter golf trip. JHG

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T H E J OY . . .

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hat’s that, a little snow squall? The first full week of hard freezes? Don’t put your clubs away just yet. When the golf season in Jackson starts to wind down just as you’ve fine-tuned your wind-up, find solace in the fact that a whole wide world of superb off-season golf is just a short five-hour drive or a 40-minute flight to the south. The state of Utah, with its dramatic mountains, national parks and red-rock country, is home to nearly 100 golf courses, with many clustered along the Wasatch Front, convenient to Salt Lake City International Airport and big-city amenities. Use this column as a primer to some of the most inviting and challenging greens in and around Salt Lake City. While the list below is far from comprehensive, each is a public, easily accessible course for out-of-towners that provides value and challenge. If an overland journey to the Beehive State is your plan, here are four reasons you should pile your clubs, buds and suds into your Subaru Forester and dial in Salt Lake City on your GPS.

Keep the golf season alive in the ma jor city closest to Jackson Hole. BY PETE SALTAS

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Valley View VALLEY VIEW GOLF COURSE First up when heading into town from the north is Valley View in Layton, just 20 minutes north of Salt Lake City on Interstate 15. Formerly a private course, Valley View can definitely give off a country club vibe. Tucked into the mountainside, the scenery alone makes this worth pulling off the highway. The hillside course offers lots of elevation changes and undulations with mature trees lining the fairways. Be careful, you may not want to leave. Details: Par: 72 Yardage: 7,162 Cost: $30, cart $14 Phone: 801-546-1630 Website: www.valleyviewutah.com Address: 2501 E. Gentile, Layton, Utah 84040

EAGLEWOOD GOLF COURSE Heading further south, the next stop is Eaglewood, located in the town of Bountiful or what is considered North Salt Lake, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City. Though not a particularly difficult course, Eaglewood offers a quick escape from the downtown bustle or a worthy road trip destination. The course is surrounded by a quaint suburban neighborhood and overlooks the Great Salt Lake. Wildlife is abundant on the course and, as the pro shop likes to say, “You may not putt for eagle but you might see one.” Details: Par: 72 Yardage: 6,772 Cost: Fall rates are $30 with cart Phone: 801-299-0088 Website: www.eaglewoodgolf.com Address: 1100 East Eaglewood Golf Drive, North Salt Lake, UT 84054

STONEBRIDGE GOLF CLUB On the south side of Salt Lake is Stonebridge Golf Club in West Valley City, located within minutes of Salt Lake City International Airport. The links-style course is designed by Johnny Miller and features three distinct 9-hole courses, so there is plenty of golf to go around. Consider your shots wisely as there are 93 bunkers and water touching 20 of the 27 of the holes. Precision is your best friend and accuracy your only ally. Details: Par: 72 Yardage: Varies by course ~ 3,500 for each of the three 9-hole courses Cost: 9 hole rate, $15, $7 cart (option to play 27) Phone: 801-957-9000 Website: www.golfstonebridgeutah.com Address: 4415 Links Dr, West Valley City, Utah 84120

Eaglewood

Stonebridge

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Thanksgiving Point

Wingpointe

THANKSGIVING POINT About 24 miles south of Salt Lake City, but more than worth the drive, is Thanksgiving Point. Designed for championship play, Thanksgiving Point is generally recognized as one of Utah’s top five courses though many consider it the best in the state, hands down. Local golf enthusiast and restaurateur Chris Tsoutsounakis, who has played all of the area’s public courses, says Thanksgiving Point is a must-play course when visiting Utah. “The front side may seem friendly, but the back side will test even the most experienced golfers,” he says. “A beautiful canyon splits the back nine apart and makes for some epic golf.” Course architect, Johnny Miller has said as much. “I think 12 through 18 are as strong as any finishing holes on any course I’ve seen. From the back tees, they don’t get any better without being on Pebble Beach.” Details: Par: 72 Yardage: 7,716 Cost: Off-season Rate is $42-$67. Phone: 801-768-7401 Website: www.thanksgivingpoint.com/visit/golf Address: 3300 W. Clubhouse Dr, Lehi, Utah 84043

THE UP AND DOWN WINGPOINTE, located on property leased from Salt Lake City International Airport, is another great course in the area worth driving five hours to play. But if you need to be on the tee closer to an hour after leaving Jackson, this is definitely your place. Rolling hills and plenty of bunkers give complexity to this course, even though some of the lakes here dried up a few years back. Make no mistake, even without a water hazard Wingpointe remains a competitor’s course. It’s a tough play, especially from the black tees. Teeing from the blue makes it possible to score well with fast greens and short par 4s, provided the wind is not blowing too hard across this wide-open layout. Details: Par: 72 Yardage: 7,185 Cost: $31, cart $14 Phone: 801-575-2345 Website: www.slc-golf.com/wingpointe.html Address: Salt Lake City International Airport, 3602 W. 102 North, Salt Lake City, Utah 84122

Mountain Dell

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FINAL FOURSOME Need a few more options? Here are four more Utah courses worth exploring. The first two, however, are almost as susceptible (but not quite) as Jackson Hole courses to close for the winter due to their high altitude. The second pair, located in southern Utah, should be good to go 12 months a year. MOUNTAIN DELL : Tucked along the highway between Salt Lake City and Park City and at 6,000 feet above sea level, Mountain Dell offers two short mountainous courses with plenty of elevation change and beautiful scenery. 801-582-3812. SOLDIER HOLLOW: This course was a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, offers a high-altitude experience that will allow your ball to sail off the tee. 435-654-7442. CORAL CANYON: Located in Utah’s “color country” with views of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park, this course is both a visual treat and a stern test of golf. 435-688-1700. THE LEDGES: A public course that plays like a private venue, this course is the cream of the crop in St. George. 435-634-4640. JHG

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TETON PINES COUNTRY CLUB Recently remodeled, this distinct Teton Pines timber and stone home offers one of the valley’s most unique locations, a private island edged by swan ponds on the 18th fairway. Meticulously detailed and thoughtfully designed with an eye toward Old World elegance, it is the rare estate that balances comfort and grace. $9,900,000.

SPACKMANS & ASSOCIATES YOUR GUIDES TO THE JACKSON HOLE LIFESTYLE To view more information on our listings, please visit WWW.SPACKMANSINJH.COM (307) 739.8156 | SPACKMANS@JHSIR.COM

BABBS, BRANDON, DAVE, STEPHANIE, LIZ

ISSUE 8 | 2015 • JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM

Green Living Demand exceeds current supply of Jackson Hole golf real estate. BY BRIAN SIEGFRIED

Teton Pines is a child of the 80s, which makes it one of Jackson Hole’s more mature golf communities. It’s also the most diverse in its real estate options, including townhouses, single-family “Cluster” homes with both a homogenous architecture and estate homes, short-term rental properties, fractional ownership and commercial condos. ACTIVE LISTINGS (As of April 2015): Two Teton Pines fractional units (with 1/6 ownership) offer the lowest barrier to entry for Jackson Hole golf properties, with each priced just below $250,000. The least-expensive full ownership property is a “Lodge” townhouse with 3 beds, 2,254 square feet and a 1-car garage priced at $1.135 million. Five Cluster units are available, priced between $1.695 million and $2.195 million. At the upper end is a 5-bed, nearly 5,000-square-foot single-family home on .8 acres built in 1994 priced at $4.5 million. TOP SALES IN LAST YEAR: Sales were very brisk in Teton Pines in the year prior to April 1 with 20 closings, including 4 townhouses, 10 Cluster homes and 6 single-family homes. Total sales volume was $37 million for an average sales price of approximately $1.95 million. The top sale was for a 5-bed, 5,997-square-foot home on 1.69 acres built in 2000 after 488 days on market, list price $8.865 million.

A Cluster home in Teton Pines.

LAUREN DUKOFF

n April, the first sale of a residential property located in one of the valley’s five golf course developments for more than $10 million was reported. The distinctive 6-bed, 6,600-squarefoot home on a little more than an acre in Shooting Star sits along the banks of Fish Creek with big views of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. That high-water mark may not last long if the owners of a 3 Creek Ranch home listed for $14.9 million attract a buyer for their 5-bed, 6,638-square-foot home on 2.4 acres. Not surprisingly the real estate options in these two private course neighborhoods – as well as land and residences in Snake River Sporting Club, Teton Pines and Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis – are pricier than average in Jackson Hole. For starters, as of early April not a single full ownership residential golf course property was listed for less than $1 million, with the least-expensive building site priced at $475,000. Which neighborhood is the best match for your family’s needs? Here is an overview of each neighborhood’s real estate options, values and recent sales.

TETON PINES

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Snake River Sporting Club single-family home with backyard fairway and fly fishing. JACKSON HOLE GOLF & TENNIS

SNAKE RIVER SPORTING CLUB

3 CREEK RANCH

Golf & Tennis is the senior citizen among Jackson Hole golf communities with home construction beginning in the 1960s. There is no dominant architectural style, beyond a requirement to build on a single level in order to preserve the huge Teton views abundant in this north-of-Jackson neighborhood, resulting in a wide variety of homes from western to contemporary and from new construction to homes more than four decades old. The community is in a resort overlay so short-term rentals are allowed. The two property types most rentable include the Golf Creek units, which feature 2 and 3-bed townhouses built in the 70s and priced at approximately $500,000; and the 10-yearold freestanding “Cabins” located closer to the clubhouse and priced in the $1.25 million neighborhood. Otherwise, only single-family home ownership options exist. ACTIVE LISTINGS: Just one property was listed as of April 2015, a 4-bed, nearly 4,000-square-foot single-family home on 1.14 acres built in 2005 listed for $2.25 million. Three building sites are offered, with approximately 1-acre sites priced between $475,000 and $750,000. TOP SALES IN LAST YEAR: Four residential properties sold in Golf & Tennis for a total sales volume of $5.3 million. The top sale, an approximately 3,600-square-foot, 4-bed home on 1.5 acres, sold for around $630 per foot after just 29 days on market. Two building sites sold, both closing at just less than $500,000.

This golf, fish, hike, equestrian and allthings-outdoors neighborhood is a new frontier for real estate after reopening in 2014 after its second bankruptcy and four years of inactivity. Three main real estate options exist here: a homogenous cabin design near the clubhouse, a handful of completed or under construction single-family options that line the golf course, and a deep inventory of single-family building sites. ACTIVE LISTINGS: Six residential properties were listed as of April, with prices between $1.85 million and $5.495 million, but three of them are still under construction. The highest-priced home is an anomaly, a sprawling 8,000+ square feet sitting atop the bluff overlooking the golf course on 35 acres that was built by the original developer in 1997. Four building sites are listed with approximately .75-acre sites listed for an average price of $850,000. TOP SALES IN LAST YEAR: Four residential properties and two building sites changed hands, for a total sales volume of approximately $11.5 million. All four residential sales were for Martin Creek cabins, homogenous units with 4 beds, about 4,000 square feet, 2-car garage on about a half acre, listed for approximately $2.5 million.

Located just five minutes south of Jackson with quick access to fishing, skiing and the national parks, 3 Creek Ranch is Jackson Hole’s most centrally located golf community. Building options include John Carney-designed cabins set on about a half acre or architecturally diverse single-family homes on larger lots. ACTIVE LISTINGS: Just two single-family homes were offered as of April, a 5-bed “cabin” listed for $3.395 million and the afore-mentioned masterpiece listed for $14.9 million. Distinguishing 3 Creek, however, is the largest inventory of golf course building sites with 10 priced between $895,000 for a half-acre lot to $3.55 million for a 2.75-acre lot. TOP SALES IN LAST YEAR: Tracking with available inventory, building site sales easily outpaced home sales 7 to 3. The top sale was a 35-acre lot priced at $6.5 million, besting a 5-bed, nearly 5,000-square-foot home listed for $4.295 million.

A cabin in 3 Creek Ranch 53

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The Lodges at Fish Creek in Shooting Star will be complete in summer 2015.

Golf & Tennis offers numerous home sites along the course.

SHOOTING STAR Teton County’s newest golf neighborhood also is its most dynamic with a strong track record of developer sales and owner resales during its fist five years and steady growth projected for the next few years. ACTIVE LISTINGS: While at this time all local golf course developments enjoy greater demand than supply, Shooting Star exceeds them all in this category. Currently there are no active residential listings in MLS and 3 building sites priced at an average of $2.75 million for approximately 1.25 acres.

TOP SALES IN LAST YEAR: According to MLS, there were just two sales in the previous year in Shooting Star, both resale’s. One was a “cabin” priced at $4.65 million and the other the home mentioned at the top of this story. However, the developer received commitments for more than 20 single-family homes and townhouses, most of them before the first shovel of dirt had been turned. Almost as hot was the building site market with 5 reported sales and 2 pending sales as of April. Brian Siegfried is an associate broker with Jackson Hole Sotheby’s International Realty.

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Dog Day Afternoon

The Links at Teton Peaks allows four-legged foursomes. BY MATT DEEHAN

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t was already past 3 o’clock one day last July when we decided to play some golf. In Jackson Hole it can be hard to get on a course in July on short notice and quite expensive, so we jumped in the car for the hour drive to The Links at Teton Peaks. Soon we were heading up and over Teton Pass to Driggs, Idaho, where in mid-summer you can tee off well after 5 o’clock and finish 18 before the alpenglow has faded from the western side of the Tetons. As we walked up to the clubhouse, perhaps better described as a “club cabin,” I noticed a dog bowl by the door. This was not noteworthy, but the stack of poop bags for the taking begged further questioning. Inside there was golf on the TV, the mouth-watering smell of hot dogs in the air and a one-man staff ready with a warm welcome. “What’s with the poop bags? Are we supposed to use them out on the course?” I said with a wry smile, knowing there is but a single Port-a-Potty on the entire course. “Ha! No, we welcome dogs here,” he said. Immediately I planned to come back as soon as possible with my dog. Fast forward to the fall. For a lot of us, late October around here is a favorite time of year. The sailing is wonderful, with consistent winds and Jackson Lake to ourselves. The hunt for the world’s best protein is in full swing. With the fall colors firing, whatever you’re doing outside is beautiful. Unfortunately, however, all the Wyoming golf courses have buttoned up their operations for the season by mid-October. On October 24, the freezer had some fresh meat in it and there were plenty of good sailing days left up at the lake, but our last local golf offering was about to vanish for the next six months. We rolled up to a full parking lot and were immediately greeted by several excited dogs running amuck. My playing partner, Shane, said, “I thought you were just pulling my leg, this is hilarious!” As we got our shoes on and our clubs out of the truck, Teddy and Otis joined the mayhem. Both puppies displayed the proper four-legged caddy etiquette by tending to their business before the first tee. Teeing off seems to be the hardest part of golfing with dogs. Keeping them from jumping in front of the tee shot is the responsibility of the golfer waiting his turn. If you’re not good with voice commands bring some treats to keep their attention. After all, it’s only natural for them that when you have a

The Links offers lakes and lots of native grass for dogs, challenging play for humans.

ball, they want it! It was important to watch each other’s shots as the race to scoop up your ball, or at least mark where it came to rest, was on. Thankfully the dogs tired of this game after a few holes, eventually mostly milling about in the sand traps, rough and creeks. No matter how distracted the dogs would become, however, they would always fire up again once we reconvened on the greens. Marking your ball quickly was imperative. It also helped to wield your putter overhead while screaming like Mel Gibson in “Bravehe-

Urgent Care

art,” which often bought you enough time to win the race to the ball. Another helpful tip is to keep a separate ball in your pocket for putting as it rolls much more cleanly without bite marks on it. The Links at Teton Peaks, as you might guess after hearing of its dog-friendly dog policy, is not one the region’s fanciest clubs. Nor is it maintained meticulously or offer pricy real estate along its fairways. But the layout is plenty challenging with lots of water features for your tiring, thirsty pup, amazing views of the Tetons and Big Hole Mountains

and a relaxing vibe. The price? Wicked cheap, with discounted greens fees for twilight play, nine holes (which is actually 13 holes at The Links due to the layout) and season passes. Even in the heat of the summer is but $39 per person, cart included. And if you are 11 years or under, with four legs or two, golf is free! Matt “Dizzy” Deehan is a multi-talented recreation specialist living and working in Jackson Hole. JHG

Same-Day Appointments and Walk-ins Welcome - Walk-in care clinic for acute illnesses, minor wounds and the treatment of bone, joint and other injuries - On site services: Rapid strep test Rapid flu test Blood draws X-rays Jim Little, Jr., MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine April North, MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine Jenny Fritch, PA-C Layne Lash, FNP-C Cecelia Tramburg, FNP Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm; Sat, Sun: 10am-4pm

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Highway 89 and High School Road ISSUE 8 | 2015 • JHGOLFERMAGAZINE.COM

Let your shoes (or your shirt) do the talking BY DREW SIMMONS

here’s a player at my course with a gleaming smile, a joke for every occasion, and a benevolent personality somewhere between your favorite high school English teacher and Freddy Couples. Unfortunately, he golfs alone. He says he’s a 22 handicap. He has a card that backs it up. But he has a game that tells a different story. Short off the tee, razor sharp from within a nine iron of the pin, and a master of the lag putt. He starts out slow, hits his stride in the meat of the back nine, and finishes ahead. Always. The man has single-handedly decimated the net division of the club championship, sending aware and previously stung mid-handicappers fleeing to the safety of a gross scorecard. Despite the wide swath of sandbagging carnage behind him, he still likes to play for a couple bucks now and then. And since the locals are clearly off limits, that leaves the tourists, those perfect strangers whom he meets on the tee box, shakes hands with and suggests a friendly game. The little known first rule of golf betting is that if somebody with a 20+ handicap gets up and down from the sand more than twice a round, you’re gonna need to hit the ATM at the turn. The second rule is that you should always apply the same process of evaluating shots to the evaluation of partners. Because in the world of golf, there are cues, there is evidence and every little bit of information counts. 58

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SHOES: Footwear is the foundation of the game, the pillars on which a swing is built, and a window into the golfer’s soul: Saddleshoes. Imminently neutral. Reflects a commitment to safe play and traditional strategies. Look for four irons off par 5 teeboxes, layups from inside 170 yards, and a new record for three-putting. White. The only reason to buy all-white anything is when the items are 70 percent off at the Twin Falls Golf & Porn Emporium and Storage Units. An avowed discount shopper with poor judgment skills, this player will not bet on the first tee, but after they close their eyes at impact and scull one down the middle on the third hole, they’ll propose a tiny wager. Take it. Running Shoes. This sound familiar? “I haven’t played much this year. … Still searching for a swing. … Just hoping to have fun out here.” As the Lord said to Moses, thou shalt not bet against a sandbagger wearing Nike Airs and holding a carry bag full of forged irons. Black. Internal hardass. If worn with matching black gloves, be prepared for 18 holes of lectures on States rights, the travesty of Obamacare and the clear superiority of Boise State football. The immaculate F350 in the parking lot with the vanity plates? Don’t hit it while he’s around. Sandals. Either a retired veterinarian or a recovering attorney. Either way, this player logs more than 50 rounds per year, is deadly from 100 yards in, and likely to be carrying legal weed. Great scramble partner. Barefoot. On a Bachelor Party weekend with a thing for John Daly anecdotes. Avoid at all costs.

BELTS: The belt you wear is the golfer you want to be. No piece of gear on a golfer can tell you more than this simple accessory: White belt. Even though Sergio is on vacation, his belt is not. This is a clear statement of aggression, like looking a bear in the eyes or driving from Teton Village to Jackson between midnight and 2 am. Will start betting on the putting green prior to the round. Leather belt with rodeo buckle. Will tell you he’s a 14 handicap (he’s a 6). Will win the longest drive every time regardless of height, weight or BAC. Will be recognized by the beverage cart driver. Climbing belt webbing with integrated bottle opener. The Jackson Hole standard. Has a bag full of Noodles and Lady Pinnacles, and will need every single one of them. HATS: A golfer in a hat is trying to tell you something. But are you listening? U.S.S. Anything. Navy guys easily are the best golfers in the Armed Forces. While sailing the seven seas, they play 72 holes a weekend at every course in the Pacific Rim. And when they ask what the course record is, they’re serious. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they put “lower your handicap by 15, forever” in future US Navy recruiting propaganda. Broad brim straw hat. If you’re willing to rock the Tom Kite look, you’re clearly looking for any available advantage. Will also have a five-foot belly putter with an oversized grip and a mallet head the size of Mount Moran. Visor. Other than the obvious benefits to showing off your Jackson Hole Moose-ready mullet, visors are the preferred choice of club-huckers with anger management issues everywhere. While there are no

guarantees in golf, you can definitely bet on the fact that within two holes of the first visor toss, his two iron is going into the next available water hazard. Long and to the left. THE GOLF SHIRT: Prior to showing up at the club, the choice of shirt is the biggest decision a golfer makes in a day. Plaid button front. Just got off the river, knows a guy who knows a guy who started Cloudveil, and is totally stoked about the lineup at the Targhee Bluegrass Fest. See also: Webbing belt and TGR trucker hat. Obscure East Coast clubwear. Regularly paired with perfect mechanics and a bag of old school tri-metal woods. Plays less than 10 rounds per year, but knows every ridiculous bet in the book by heart, including college-calculus-level handicap adjustments, and obscure specials that make sandies seem as normal as Rocky Mountain Oysters on the halfshell. Bandon Dunes anything. Yeah, my dad went there once, too. Semi-ironic logo reference to cannabis and/or Hooters. Also rocking Game-of-Thrones jester pants. Will be wildly erratic, wavering between eagle opportunities and triple bogeys. Likely to have a girlfriend in the cart who played on a scholarship at Tulane. And that girlfriend has a friend. Need a fourth? Drew Simmons is a freelance writer living in a van parked near the 14th hole water hazard. HIs recent work can be found in The Drake, Jackson Hole Golfer and at WickedOutdoorsy.com. JHG

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