First Fairway is an expansive, restful house set on open land above the first fairway of the members-only 3 Creek Golf Course. The front door opens to a foyer, and then the house expands upward and outward as you enter the living room – the core of First Fairway. Soaring, two-story ceilings braced with exposed beams arch over a freestanding, two-sided central stone fireplace. Capacious armchairs and an inviting sofa are grouped around a huge coffee table before the fire. Big windows and two sets of French doors around the living room open to the wide stone terrace, and from here the Western views roll away to a stunning panorama of the Grand Tetons.
At the southern end of the house, a kitchen, dining and family room share an airy, welcoming space. At its heart is the stone fireplace, surrounded by couch and armchairs and overhung with a flat screen television. The long wood dining table is set in a windowed alcove, and out on the stone terrace is a plein-air dining area. Inside, the kitchen is luxuriously outfitted with a stainless steel, six-burner Wolf gas range, a countertop TV, and a Miele espresso machine to jumpstart the morning. A deep sink is set into a long green granite island ringed with bar stools, for casual breakfasts or evening cocktails. Just off the kitchen is a mudroom that leads to a laundry room and garage.
From the double-height living room, a short hallway leads to the master suite and library. Built-in cabinets in the ruby-walled library contain a fine collection of books and movies, a wide flat screen TV, and a vintage wooden Scrabble set. A three-sided sectional suede couch unfolds into two beds for extra sleeping space. Steps away, the master bedroom has a deep king bed, a tall, hand-painted antique armoire, and a walk-in closet with built-in shelves and drawers. The master bath is a redoubt of indulgence: a jetted oval soaking tub, double sinks set in a stretch of polished stone and a separate, glass-walled shower.
At the top of the stairs, is a game room with a TV and pool table. There are four guest bedrooms on the second floor, as well as a laundry centre. Each bedroom is sunny and quiet, simple and pretty, with a private bath and long views of the golf course or the Tetons. The guest room on the southern end of the house has a king bed and double doors that open to a private step-out balcony; on the northern end there is a guest room with a king bed and its own large balcony with a sitting area.
First Fairway stands at the crossroads of the ski slopes but it is as welcoming in winter as it is in summer. The big outdoor fireplace can host tall tales and marshmallow roasts all throughout the year. In warm weather, the terrace dining table and the cushioned chairs make a natural gathering spot.
First Fairway is stocked with fishing poles and mountain bikes and gear for just about any outdoor adventure, and 3 Creek’s trails and streams are all close by. Out on the terrace, a large stone hot tub is set into the ground, surrounded by flowers and young trees. Close enough to the house to run to even in the middle of January, it has huge views of the golf course, the sunset, and the mountains, and is absolutely magical on a starry – or snowy – evening.
The renowned 3 Creek Golf Course, its soft emerald sweeps and folds intercut by wild creeks and native grasses, was designed by Rees Jones. For members, playing 18 holes against the mighty backdrop of the Tetons, Rendezvous Mountain, the Glory Bowl and the Pass is one of golf’s great experiences, and one that will not soon leave the heart. When the snow falls, the same course becomes fabulous, rolling cross-country ski terrain. On the course or off, this is Wyoming at its best.
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