This past weekend, moving day was redefined at one of Utah’s top golf courses.
Salt Lake Country Club is ranked No.1 because of the snowfall in the mountains. 3. On Golfweek’s Top Private Courses in the Beehive State.
This well-maintained track is located just east of town on I-80, before the highway climbs through the mountains towards Park City. It was a welcome respite from a winter with a deeper snowpack than normal.
It’s not unusual for deer and elk to seek refuge at lower elevations in winter when food becomes scarce in the snowy mountains. However, Scott Root of Utah Division of Wildlife stated that he has never seen an elk in that area during his 32-year tenure.
Root stated, “You can tell it’s bad winter when this happens.” Root said that they don’t cross Foothill Boulevard or I-80 often and almost never enter the country club. They were hungry and wanted food so they went.
A number of agencies joined forces to stop traffic on busy interstates and move the 100-plus elk from the country club back into the mountains. The operation was successful thanks to helicopters hovering above and cameras sharpening.
“We finally had some good weather. Even though it will be raining and snowing the next few days we just said, Let’s push them up. Root stated that we got highway patrol, Department of Transportation, and a few other groups together, and it took us about an hour to accomplish this task.” Root added. Root said, “Everything went perfectly. It was better than I expected. We would have been embarrassed if things had gone south, but it was all a great success.
“We had even a Utah highway patrol helicopter fly in to push the elk higher up the mountain.”
Root, who said that nerves prevented him from sleeping the night before the surgery, is not new to the country club. Root worked as a teenager in the restaurant of the prestigious golf course. It was designed by William Watson, who is also known for designing the Interlachen and Olympic Club courses. The complex was home to the PGA Tour’s Western Open, which was won by Johnny Palmer in 1947.
Root stated that he didn’t work for the money. Root said, “I worked there because I got to play free golf Mondays.” It’s a wonderful place.
Root stated that he did not hear of any damage to the course, but he is certain that with large animals roaming on the fairways and greens, he does not expect anything to be lost.
“I haven’t been told there was major damage but I’m sure there was — they had some trees trimmed and have beautiful manicured grass out there.
“What a great place to be if you are an elk. We have not heard much from the country club but I’m certain they were eager to have them off there.”
