Update

Good morning.  We got 6-8" of snow out of the most recent storm before we warmed up overnight.  We actually had a little rain this morning before sunrise which added to the moisture content and helped the snow settle.  It should make for a decent track with the added moisture and we will have it groomed within the next hour or so.  They are calling for more snow over the weekend with fairly warm temps so we expect the snow to settle even more and continue with increasing moisture. 

These are the kind of conditions that can really damage the underlying turf if bootpacks or tracks are set and it packs all the way to the ground.  This is when it can start getting into a dangerous freeze/thaw cycle.  Thanks for sticking to the track and not setting your own tracks.

Below is a copy of a letter the club sent out to homeowners around the golf course last week and I wanted to share with everyone regarding course access and general policies:

Members and neighbors of Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club:

Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club (JHGTC) would like to take this opportunity to reach out and share some thoughts and reminders to our members, guests and neighbors that live around the golf course and/or may not be associated with the club.  We hope everyone is having a great winter season and utilizing the cross country track responsibly.  We are so excited about what the 2014 season will bring and look forward to a great summer.

As you all know, JHGTC is such a unique piece of property; we have such an abundance of wildlife, close proximity to Grand Teton National Park and land designated as Natural Resource Overlay (NRO) by Teton County.  We have a designated and recognized elk migratory route that bisects the property; we are responsible for managing the Gros Ventre watershed that runs on the south side of the property and numerous ditches that run throughout the property.  We have a huge responsibility as land managers in this unique environment and it is so important to us that we are protecting the asset that is the golf course, not only for Vail Resorts but for our members, guests, community at large and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in which we find ourselves.  We have worked very hard to develop relationships locally and regionally with the Teton Science School, JH Conservation Alliance, Wyoming Game & Fish, GTNP, Teton County Weed & Pest, Craighead BerengiaSouth Group, Department of Environmental Quality, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, and others to partner with. We use these relationships to generate ideas on how we can better manage our property with respect to wildlife interaction and habitat development, while maintaining a quality golfing experience.  These partnerships are crucial to our success in an area that is so environmentally unique.  In addition, we are designated an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International and have obtained International Standardization Organization (ISO 14001) certification for environmental stewardship.  In our mind we are “guests” here north of town and our mantra in Golf Operations is that “wildlife has the right of way”. 

There has been an increase in construction recently around the course and several residences that have changed hands.  We also have a lot of new neighbors and seasonal residents that may not be aware of our policies regarding the golf course.  For those of you who have been living around the course for a while, perhaps even before the course was built, we want to assure you that we are not creating new policies or rules, but merely enforcing the policies that have been in place but have been disregarded in recent years.  All that being said, we wanted to share with everyone some of the more important policies regarding the golf course, access and some seasonal dates that are important.

Ø  First, just as a reminder, the golf course is private property.  Membership to the club and/or property ownership around the club does not afford unrestricted access to the golf course from your residence for walking or recreating. 

Ø  According to club documents dogs are not allowed on the property at any time, unless they are assisting you in your travels.  We do make exceptions to this rule during certain times of the year, please see below.  WHEN DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY THEY MUST BE PHYSICALLY LEASHED.  ELECTRONIC LEASHES ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF RESTRAINT ON JHGTC PROPERTY.

Ø  The native areas around the course serve as a buffer for wildlife/habitat, operational activities and designate playable areas for golfers.  Mowing any of these areas down or creating trails through them from a residence to the golf course is prohibited. 

Ø  Access to the course from approximately May 1^st to October 15^th, when the golf course is open for business, is restricted to golfers only, and you must check in at the pro shop prior to accessing the course.  Golfing without being a member and/or checking in at the clubhouse is considered theft of services and will be handled accordingly.  Walking dogs, running, etc. is prohibited on the golf course at any time during this period.

Ø  From October 15^th until the first significant snowfall the property is off limits to everyone as we use this time to “winterize” the course in preparation for snowfall.  This includes activities like blowing out the irrigation system, applying chemicals to large portions of the course, tree work and other tasks using large equipment.  All of which can pose a safety risk to anyone on the property during this timeframe and affect the quality of the course going into winter.

Ø  Once we have our first significant snowfall and are able to groom the cross country track the course will be open to public access under the following conditions:

o    Access is restricted to the cross country track only and creating “boot pack” trails or establishing your own ski trail is prohibited.  Setting your own track or boot pack can damage the underlying turf. The CC track is set along the native in the rough where minimal damage can occur so we ask that you limit your travels to the track only.

o    We ask that you access the course at one of the 10 designated entrances: at road crossings and/or the clubhouse and parking lot area.  Accessing the course from your residence through native areas, other private lots and across the golf course is not only detrimental to the quality of the underlying grass/turf but it sets a dangerous precedent with respect to access and our liability exposure from a safety perspective.  There are nearly 200 lots/residences around the course and it would be irresponsible for JHGTC as property managers and representatives of Vail Resorts to allow everyone unrestricted access to the course from their homes.

o    Dogs are allowed on the course during this time of the year but MUST BE LEASHED at all times.  This is so very important for our environmental certifications and safety initiatives.  We have witnessed, numerous times, unrestrained dogs giving chase to wildlife while on the course.  This can be incredibly dangerous to surviving the winter for many of our elk, moose and deer that set up residence in the winter.  In addition, unrestrained dogs pose a safety risk to others utilizing the track and can cause tripping hazards for those on skis when not leashed.

o    The south side of Spring Gulch Rd (holes #9, 10 and 11) is designated NRO by Teton County as critical moose winter habitat and there is no access to this area between November 1^st and April 1^st.

Ø  Bicycles or other wheeled vehicles are not allowed on the course at any time.

Ø  We recently have had numerous requests for removal of trees on golf course property in order to enhance views for residences, new and old.  Because our property has stands of old growth cottonwoods on and around it, and because those areas provide habitat for wildlife we do not remove trees unless they pose a risk to life or property.  Each request is evaluated on a case by case basis.

Our goal with respect to the policies above is to responsibly manage the property while allowing limited access to surrounding homeowners and members.  We have several environmental and safety initiatives and certifications that hinge on these policies being adhered to.  In addition, there is a certain amount of exposure with respect to liability that we incur by having people on the property when we aren’t aware of your presence.   Lastly, we invest hundreds of thousands of dollars and tens of thousands of man hours per year to create a quality product and protect the asset that is the golf course.   It serves as a backdrop to many of your properties and enhances the value of residences neighboring the course when we are able to maintain it per our policies.  It is important to our members, guests, neighbors and Vail Resorts that we enforce the policies put in place to ensure quality, safety and environmental stewardship at this exceptionally rare piece of property.

We truly appreciate you as neighbors, members and guests.  We would encourage everyone to reference our maintenance blog at www.jacksonholegolf.blogspot.com for updates on the course, wildlife updates and winter activities. 

Thanks and have a great day.