Jane Fields, the wife of former Ford Motor Company chief executive Mark Fields, is suing an ultra-exclusive Utah mountain community after alleging that she and a friend were removed from a women’s golf competition to make way for male members.
Mrs Fields, 65, claims the incident at Wasatch Peaks Ranch led to the couple’s expulsion from the private development and left them unable to use its amenities. The couple are seeking 30 million dollars in damages and are trying to sell the home they built there.
The allegations centre on a golf contest in July, for which Mrs Fields and her playing partner had each paid 900 dollars. According to the lawsuit, a caddy approached the women before they teed off and told them to play quickly, finish early and forfeit shots if necessary.
Mrs Fields alleges that the women were asked to leave the course so male members could play that afternoon without women present. Her lawyers also claim that female golfers were offered a hat-making class after coming off the course.
They allege that the male tournament winner received a Rolex Daytona watch, while the women were given participation trophies. The watch is said to cost between 15,100 and 56,400 dollars.
Wasatch Peaks Ranch management has vehemently denied the allegations. In a statement, the organisation said it disputed the claims and was prepared to defend the lawsuit.
Wasatch Peaks Ranch expulsion
Mrs Fields’s lawsuit says she complained to the member services manager, describing the treatment of women golfers as “unfair, disrespectful, derogatory and sexually discriminating”. She urged him to pass her concerns to senior staff.
Four days later, the couple were told by the ranch’s disciplinary committee that they had been expelled with immediate effect, according to the claim.
The notice allegedly accused Mrs Fields of using “abusive and profane” language towards staff and behaving in a way that was “unbecoming” of the club. The couple dispute those characterisations and say the expulsion was intended to conceal alleged gender discrimination and silence criticism.
They requested a hearing and asked to see further details, but the lawsuit alleges that the ranch did not provide reports or witness statements. At a hearing in August, the couple claim they were not allowed to ask questions or properly challenge the allegations.
They read prepared statements, apologised and asked for probation or a temporary suspension instead of being expelled, while maintaining that they had not breached the club’s rules. Their expulsion was nevertheless reaffirmed in early August, the lawsuit alleges.
The couple claim that losing their membership has put their 500,000-dollar deposit and contractual refund rights at risk. Their expulsion also began an 18-month period in which they must transfer their membership, according to the suit.
Their lawyers say the loss of access to the facilities has seriously devalued the property. They also claim that snow is not cleared from the driveway, making the mansion difficult to reach during Utah’s winters.
Membership privileges may be restored for whoever buys the property, the lawsuit says.
A private mountain community
Wasatch Peaks Ranch describes itself as a private mountain community spread across more than 12,000 acres. Its facilities include a golf course, 3,000 acres of private skiing, fly-fishing areas and hiking trails.
Residents must be recommended by two existing members and undergo extensive vetting before being allowed to view the development’s property listings, according to the claim.
The Fields became founder members in 2021 and completed one of the community’s first homes in 2024. Their lawyer has described the property as a “legacy property” intended to be passed down to their children.
Mark Fields was president and chief executive of Ford from 2014 to 2017, having previously served as the company’s chief operating officer. The couple first met while both were working at IBM.
The lawsuit names Tiger Shaw, the ranch’s chief executive and former president and chief executive of US Ski and Snowboard, as well as members of the disciplinary committee.
In its statement, Wasatch Peaks Ranch said: “Wasatch Peaks Ranch strongly believes in respecting the privacy of its members and employees.”
“While WPR will not discuss the specific details of this matter, WPR disputes the allegations in the Fields’ complaint and is prepared to defend against the lawsuit,” it said.
“WPR stands by its decision and remains committed to maintaining a positive and respectful environment for both its members and employees.”
Lawyers representing the ranch have entered an appearance in court, but had not filed a response to the Fields’ lawsuit.
