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Ancient 3 Creek Secret ......
When entertaining prospects for Memberships or Real Estate purchases, I am repeatedly asked the question, "What separates 3 Creek Ranch from your competitors?" I often reply that we are Jackson's first and only private golf and fly fishing community and that we have a no-tee time policy and average only 28 players daily. I mention our proximity to the town, our unsurpassed views of the Tetons and that our Award-winning 18-hole golf course was designed by Rees Jones. I add that we offer world-class spring creek fishing, we have the best chef and food in the valley and, of course, our nature programs are world-renowned. However, it is our "Ancient 3 Creek Secret" that separates us from all others.
On the 4th of July, our Camp 3 Creek staff setup a camp information table by the pool. They brought along some of their favorite camp activities, including field guides and bug nets. It just so happens one of the 3 Creek Junior Campers was spending the morning with his father by the pool. He wandered around the table, checking out the various pieces displayed, and asked if he could use the insect net around the pool. Of course, the staff obliged. He immediately proceeded to the back bushes, where he knew from past experience, he would encounter a few flying locals to inhabit his net. Sure enough, in a matter of minutes, he had netted his first insect. He proudly returned to his father's chair, eager to share his latest conquest. "Hey Dad, check this out." "What have you got there? Did you catch one of those dragonflies?" "Actually, Dad, this is a damselfly. You can tell because damselflies hold their wings back behind them when they land and dragonflies keep their wings out to the side." He explained this as he demonstrated, to the best of his ability, the insects' wing positions. With raised eyebrows, and a sideways glance towards our table, Dad nodded his head and responded, "Wow, that's really cool." Keep it quiet, like an "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
There is a wildly fun set of triplets living in Kentucky who just started kindergarten this year. They can tell you the difference between a caddis fly, a mayfly and a stonefly. They know this because they saw pictures of them, held them and then created their own replicas at Camp 3 Creek! Wow, "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
Dune, a member's son at the ripe age of 15 months, scooted down the catwalk of the 2008 Ladies' Invitational. The room erupted as the youngster was sporting an argyle sweater vest, knickers and black and white rah rah's. As he lowered his glasses, in baby talk he stated, ";Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
As the "3 Creek Invitational" players and spouses gathered for the Annual Awards and cocktail dinner, they were stunned by the start of the song, Hotel California. They were even more stunned by the appearance of the General Manager playing a guitar wearing, yes; you guessed it, a full Eagle costume! And as he strummed the first chords, his white brow raised and he said, "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
As the couple celebrated their "43rd" Wedding Anniversary, they were overwhelmed by the special setting and the reading of an Anniversary poem prepared by the staff. As they left the building they softly replied, "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
A tear came to his eye as he spoke of his family's involvement in the Walker Cup. 3 Creek's own spoke to standing-room-only crowds, on four entertaining evenings, as part of the new 3 Creek Speaker Series. As the tear fell to the carpet, he winked, and said, "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
The sun began to set, and a small herd of Elk seemed to join in the fun as the Jackson Hole Jazz Foundation performed its rendition of "In the Mood". This was one of many special entertainment nights at The Ranch. As the group played its last set, the trombone player twirled his instrument and said, "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
We met Emma for the first time by the pool. Her grandmother had contacted 3 Creek earlier in the summer and signed Emma up for our weekly nature program, but now, Emma was unsure if she wanted to attend camp alone, as her brother was too young to partake. The coordinator had a quick chat with Emma and she agreed to check it out for a day and see how she felt. After a day of exploring the Swan Ponds at the Teton Science Schools' Conservation Research Center, Emma was hooked. She returned the next day to an adventure at Ditch Creek where the group identified local wildflowers, tracks, scat, a full bison carcass,and finally a working beaver dam. Emma left at the end of the week, giving us big hugs and wishing that she could stay longer. It wasn't until the following week that 3 Creek realized the impact of those two days on Emma's vacation. Our Camp 3 Creek Director ran into her grandmother by the pool. She reiterated what a great time Emma had had at camp, recounting how she'd spent the entire weekend "bugging (play on words) her parents to buy her Jackson Hole field guides." Imagine that: a six year old, whose souvenir of choice is an educational book about local plants and animals! The guide must have provided the "Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
LOTOJA is a European-style road classic that is unparalleled in distance and beauty. At 206 miles, LOTOJA is the longest one-day USCF-sanctioned event in the United States. Participants come from all over the United States to test their physical and mental stamina. This year 3 Creek Ranch was represented by a 4-person team that rode the challenging race in relay fashion. Each participant rode approximately 51 miles to successfully complete the 206-mile adventure. Even with some physical limitations, as one team member was dealing with a serious knee injury, the team rose to the occasion. There was even a sprint to the finish by the final team participant that left the rest of the teams in the dust! Each 3 Creek team member gave 100% and was pleasantly surprised to finish in sixth place for their race division. And as the final member crossed the finish line, I think I saw "Ancient 3 Creek Secret" across the back of his jersey.
Is there really an "Ancient 3 Creek Secret"? No, not really. The secret can best be summed up by the spoken words of one of our members. "We are not special people at 3 Creek; we are simply people that get treated special." All clubs can have all the facilities, but, it is the people and the experiences that truly separate us from the rest. That is our &";Ancient 3 Creek Secret."
Billy Cleveland
General Manager & Director of Golf
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