Exquisite by Nature
Even without the breathtaking setting that surrounds it, Snake River Sporting Club would provide an exceptional experience for golfers and outdoor adventure lovers. But its prime setting alongside its namesake river creates a world-class environment that man simply cannot replicate.
Just 27 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming — home to the largest intact ecosystem in the continental U.S. — Snake River Sporting Club is a play- ground designed for those who love the great outdoors. Surrounded by 3.5 million acres of protected land, it is part wilderness and pure adventure: a natural choice for a resort and residential community that can provide year-round entertainment for those who choose not to spend their leisure time with a roof overhead.
Nature has provided a stunning backdrop for the club, starting with the 1,078-mile Snake River that runs alongside the area. Breathtaking views of the Tetons, Teton Valley, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest provide a complete immersion into nature and offer views of protected bald eagles, moose and native Jackson Hole plants and grasses. Although it seems to be a natural choice for creating an exceptional golfing experience, it is a vision that has taken decades to fully come to fruition. It has, however, proven worth the wait.
RICH HISTORY
The land on which Snake River Sporting Club is built originally served as fertile hunting grounds for Native American tribes. Eventually, it caught the attention of mountain men who began trapping along the river’s shores. Then, as the 1800s ended, a homesteader laid claim to the land, building a cabin which still stands near what is now hole 3 on the golf course.
For decades, the land served as a working ranch until developers saw the potential for a world-class golf course. In 2006, the Snake River Sporting Club unveiled the stunning Tom Weiskopf-designed course, along with a clubhouse and plans for townhouses and residences. Spanning more than 7,500 yards and leveraging every bit of nature’s beauty, the course was named one of Golf Digest‘s Best New Private Golf Courses of 2007.
But the crash of the real estate market in 2008 brought a swift end to the dreams at Snake River. Home sales stalled, liens against the property began stacking up, and the club went into foreclosure in 2010. By the time an investment company bought the property in 2013, it was badly in need of some TLC — and, as evidenced by the club’s turnaround, that’s exactly what it received.
BACK IN THE GAME
Today, Snake River Sporting Club has built upon the original vision and created a rustic yet upscale environment for adventurers. It includes a fully functional ranch, skiing and tubing in the winter, whitewater rafting in the summer, and activities such as archery, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. And, of course, there’s golf.
The revived course maintains Weiskopf’s original vision, providing a unique experience at each hole: At hole 3, there’s a small stream to avoid; hole 7 is one of the best greens on the course, with a long par 5 that includes a challenging cross bunker shot. The signature hole, No. 15, is a par-3 that plays like an island green — except that it is surrounded by native grasses instead of water. And, just beyond those grasses, there’s an incredible view of the Snake River.
Every tee honors the wilderness that plays host to this rich golfing experience, and it’s only enhanced by the many different forms of wildlife
that will be seen as players make their way through the course. From native red squirrels to forest-dwelling birds of prey to red-tail hawks and osprey, every hole extends another invitation to pause, take a breath, and enjoy nature.
The revived course and its surrounding community are now thriving, landing at the No. 1 spot of Golf Digest’s top private golf course in Wyoming from 2015 to 2018, and taking the No. 2 spot from 2019 to 2023.
A STRONG FINISH
At the end of a round, players can unwind at the Clubhouse, which Architectural Digest named the “No. 1 Clubhouse in Wyoming.” Overlooking Snake River, it combines the Rocky Mountain lodge aesthetic with a luxury vibe, and sprawls across 26,000 square feet.
From intimate seating areas designed to make you feel at home to an outdoor deck that’s ideal for meeting and mingling, it offers a variety of ways to end the day and, quite likely, kick off a great night. The River Room provides the perfect space for enjoying a signature cocktail and casual food in a bar setting or exploring the extensive wine list and taking in a fine dining experience. Like the course itself, how you play it is up to you, but it promises to be exceptional either way.
Snake River Sporting Club, 14885 Sporting Club Road, Jackson, Wyoming, (307) 733-3444, snakeriversportingclub.com