Wasatch Peaks Ranch Golf Tournament Dispute Sparks $30 Million Lawsuit Over Expulsion
Two of the club’s earliest members of the ultra-wealthy Wasatch Peaks Ranch in Morgan County filed a $30 million lawsuit in Utah’s 2nd District Court after the club revoked their membership following complaints about a women’s golf tournament, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Jane and Mark Fields claim they were expelled without a disciplinary hearing to conceal gender discrimination after Jane Fields questioned why her tournament foursome was rushed off the course.
The dispute centers on events from July 24, 2024, during the second day of the Wasatch Peaks Ranch Bluebird Women’s Golf Tournament. According to the lawsuit, a caddy instructed Jane Fields and her three-part playing group to finish early, play quickly, and forfeit shots if necessary. The couple alleges in court filings that the urgency was intended to clear the course for afternoon play by male members, pointing out that no comparable restrictions occurred during the club’s two annual men’s tournaments.
Golf Tournament Confrontation Leads to Swift Membership Revocation
Following the July 24 tournament, Jane Fields approached a ranch manager near a parking lot to express her concerns about what she described as unfair and sexually discriminating treatment between the men’s and women’s events. Four days after that private conversation, the ranch notified the couple that their membership was revoked.
The lawsuit names Wasatch Peaks Ranch Club, CEO Tiger Shaw (former president and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard), members of the disciplinary committee, and other associated parties. In its notice of expulsion, the ranch characterized the parking lot exchange as a public incident and accused the couple of using abusive and profane language toward staff, engaging in aggressive conduct, and violating the club’s written-complaint procedure.
The Fields requested a hearing and asked for supporting reports in August, but received no documents prior to a disciplinary hearing where the ranch reaffirmed its expulsion decision. Larry Laycock, an attorney for the couple with Kirton McConkie, stated that the plaintiffs tried to resolve the matter privately before turning to litigation.
Financial Stakes and Real Estate Impact at the Luxury Mountain Community
The more than 12,000-acre private ranch community along the Wasatch Front features private skiing with a vertical drop, a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, and exclusive residential properties. The Fields completed one of the community’s first homes in 2024 and invested significant resources into their membership, which includes a $500,000 deposit and contractual refund rights.
Because the expulsion removed the couple from membership listings and triggered an 18-month clock to transfer their membership, the Fields state they were forced to pursue an expedited sale of their home, risking a loss in market value. The development previously faced local scrutiny when county residents filed a multi-year zoning lawsuit that concluded in 2024 with a $4 million foundation payout and a 2,300-acre conservation easement.
Resort Response and Current Legal Standing
Wasatch Peaks Ranch issued a written statement disputing the lawsuit’s allegations and declaring readiness to defend the club in court while declining to discuss specific details due to member privacy. “We stand by our decision and remain committed to maintaining a positive and respectful environment for both our members and employees,” the ranch’s statement read.
As of Thursday, none of the named defendants had filed a formal response in court. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $30 million in damages while their legal counsel maintains that the couple remains open to a fair resolution that holds the ranch accountable for financial losses and contractual rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Wasatch Peaks Ranch Lawsuit
What specific allegations are the plaintiffs making against Wasatch Peaks Ranch?
Jane and Mark Fields allege that the club revoked their membership to conceal gender discrimination after Jane Fields raised concerns about female golfers being rushed off the course during the Bluebird Women’s Golf Tournament on July 24, 2024. They claim the expulsion violated their contractual rights and occurred without a proper pre-expulsion hearing.
How has Wasatch Peaks Ranch responded to the legal action?
In a written statement, a ranch spokesperson disputed the lawsuit’s allegations and stated that the club is prepared to defend itself in court. The ranch cited privacy reasons for declining to discuss specific details of the case while affirming its commitment to a respectful environment.
What financial damages and property impacts are involved in the case?
The lawsuit seeks at least $30 million in damages. The plaintiffs state that their expulsion put a $500,000 membership deposit at risk and forced an expedited sale of their home—one of the first completed in the community in 2024—due to an 18-month deadline to transfer their membership.
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