What began as an idyllic summer day at Utah’s most exclusive gated community has become the center of a bitter legal dispute. Wasatch Peaks Ranch is marketed as a retreat for “the one percent of the one percent.”
The conflict reportedly began in July, when Jane Fields, 65, and a female friend were preparing to play in a golf competition at the club. Each had paid $900 to enter.
Fields, whose husband Mark is the former CEO of Ford Motor Company, claims a caddie approached the pair and instructed them to speed up, finish early and forfeit shots if necessary.
She has since filed a lawsuit alleging that they were removed from the course because of gender discrimination.
According to the complaint, Fields and her friend were asked to leave so male members could use the course that afternoon without women playing alongside them.
Mark and Jane Fields, shown with model Carmen Electra, are suing the exclusive Utah ranch where they live over alleged sexist treatment
The Fields’ mansion at Wasatch Peaks Ranch is shown in an image provided by their lawyers to Our News Outlet
The allegations, which Wasatch Peaks Ranch management has strongly denied, have sparked a major controversy within the secluded community.
The Fields say they have since been barred from using the amenities surrounding their mansion. Those facilities were a major factor in their decision to become founding members in 2021 and build one of the community’s first homes, completed in 2024.
WPR is so exclusive that prospective residents must be recommended by two existing members and undergo extensive vetting before they are even allowed to view the development’s listings website.
The Fields’ wealth and professional standing appeared to make them a natural fit for the community—until the dispute turned into a lawsuit.
The couple, who met while both were working at IBM, are now trying to sell their luxury home and are seeking $30 million in damages.
Fields’ attorneys told Our News Outlet on Wednesday that she and other female golfers were offered a hat-making class after leaving the course.
They also alleged that the winner of the men’s tournament received a Rolex Daytona watch, valued at between $15,100 and $56,400, while female participants were given participation trophies.
The Fields’ lawyers further claimed that losing access to the community’s services has left snow unplowed around the family’s home, making it nearly inaccessible during Utah’s harsh winters.
Fields’ complaint described the caddie’s alleged instruction to hurry as a “disturbing and negative way to start play.”
Upset by the incident, Fields approached the member services manager and raised concerns about what she viewed as unequal treatment of male and female golfers, according to the lawsuit.
She allegedly told the male manager that the treatment was “unfair, disrespectful, derogatory and sexually discriminating” toward women, the complaint states.
Fields also claims she asked the manager to pass her concerns on to senior club officials.
Mark Fields, the former CEO of Ford Motor Company, is pictured with his wife at a gala event
The entrance gatehouse at the highly exclusive ranch is shown in a 2023 file photograph
Beyond golf, residents have access to 3,000 acres of private ski terrain, fly-fishing waters and miles of hiking trails
According to the lawsuit, the manager appears to have relayed the complaint—but the consequences for the Fields were severe.
Four days later, the couple were notified by the ranch’s disciplinary committee that their memberships had been terminated immediately, Fields’ complaint says.
The expulsion notice accused Fields of directing “abusive and profane” language at staff and engaging in conduct “unbecoming” of a club member, according to the lawsuit.
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The couple disputes those allegations and maintains that their expulsion was unjustified.
They contend that the club used the ban as a way to conceal alleged gender discrimination and remove members “whose criticism it no longer wished to hear.”
The lawsuit says the expulsion also put their $500,000 membership deposit and contractual refund rights at risk. It allegedly triggered an 18-month period in which the membership must be transferred.
The Fields claim their mansion has experienced “serious devaluation” because they can no longer access the community’s amenities.
Membership privileges could be restored for a future purchaser of the property, according to the lawsuit.
Then-Vice President Joe Biden is pictured with Mark Fields in January 2017, when Fields led the automotive giant
Tiger Shaw, the ranch’s CEO, speaks at an event in October 2019
An attorney for the family described the custom-built residence as their “legacy property,” intended to remain in the family and be passed down to their children.
Public records reviewed by Our News Outlet show that the couple also owns a $7.5 million property in Delray Beach, Florida.
After their expulsion, the Fields requested a hearing and sought additional information. The lawsuit alleges that the ranch did not provide investigative reports or witness statements.
At an August hearing, the couple claimed they were not allowed to question anyone or meaningfully challenge the allegations against them, according to the complaint.
They said they delivered prepared statements and apologized at the meeting, while continuing to maintain that they had not violated the club’s rules.
The Fields also asked for probation or a temporary suspension rather than permanent expulsion, the lawsuit says.
Nevertheless, they claim they were told in early August that the decision to expel them had been “reaffirmed.”
The lawsuit names ranch CEO Tiger Shaw, the former president and CEO of US Ski and Snowboard, along with members of the disciplinary committee.
The ranch’s website describes Wasatch Peaks as a private mountain community spanning more than 12,000 acres for residents to explore.
Its amenities include a golf course, 3,000 acres of private skiing, fly-fishing opportunities and extensive hiking trails.
Mark Fields served as Ford Motor Company’s president and CEO from 2014 to 2017, after holding the company’s chief operating officer position from 2012 to 2014.
He reached Ford’s top leadership role after spending 23 years as an executive overseeing operations across the Americas.
His LinkedIn profile lists him as a board member of Hertz and chairperson of software company Planview.
In a statement to Our News Outlet, representatives for the 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.
“WPR stands by its decision and remains committed to maintaining a positive and respectful environment for both its members and employees.”
Court filings show that the ranch has retained attorneys who have entered an appearance, although they have not yet filed a formal response to the Fields’ lawsuit.
