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Show D2 __TheSalt Lake Tribune ARTS Sunday, April: 27, 1997 Rough Times? HistoricClub Seeks More Green This fading 20th century has war and peace, depression and prosperity, by the unfailing attention paid by manycitizens to the pursuit of a small, dimpled ball. Striking at the ball with a variety In Kage’s First Year of misshapen clubs, a multitude desperately attempts to knock said ball into flag-marked holes scattered across landscapes of well-watered greenery. BY HELENFORSBERG ‘THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Ballet West's 1997-98 season, the first under new artistic director Jonas Kage, will Onelocal result of this universal passion for golf can be seen these days at the stone-walled, feature five Utah premieres multiwindowed, gray-roofed se- and the return of two full- ries of interconnected structures knownto Salt Lakers as the Fort length ballets. The seasonwill openat Salt Lake City's Capitol Theatre Douglas Country Club. More properly, the building is the dining and social sector of the Fort Douglas-Hidden Valley Club. The reason for the attention now being paid this 70-year-old club stems from the fact that this East Bench monumentis to be sold. Sept. 19-27 with a repertory program, ‘Jonas Kage: CurFort Douglas-Hidden Valley Country Club, a Salt Lake City landmark,is up for sale. Fort Douglas Club was moreformally incorporated with Dean CITYVIEW Clubrooms, dining rooms, tennis Brayton as president. Alas, there was a new arrival — the Great Depression. Much-discussed plans for a better clubhouse weresidetracked, nor were the 18 holes completed. courts and swimming pools will Soon have a new owner — seemingly dedicated to profits, not golf. Tf you have ever enteredthe social precincts of the Fort DouglasHidden Valley Country Club, you are aware that the present buildhospital complex) is sorted levels, This is, perhaps, as it should be, since the history of this club is as uniqueasits home. Thepresent clubhouse, flanked by a large swimmingpool, tennis courts, parking terraces and neat- te landscaped terrain, achieved its present shape in 1966, when the architect, Dean L. Gustavson (AIA), and the employees of the kyline Construction Co.putold, new and medium-aged stone structures to good use and some- how producedtoday’s two-, threeandone-story melange containing 4 half-dozen dining rooms, meeting rooms, kitchens, card rooms, gbfices and sanitaryfacilities, not mention a sheltered entry-way, stairways and semi-mysterious passageways. The club began with an idea put forward circa 1920 by Gen. McAlexanderof the U.S. Army, com- mandantof the Fort Douglas Military Post. A year or two reviously, he had commanded e justly famous “Rock of the Marne” Infantry Regiment of World War I. In postwar days, McAlexander’s commandwasresponsible for housing and guarding fully 700 German and Italian prisoners of war. Some 300 German sailors were housed in barracks surrounded by two barbed- wire fences. These men wanted their existing clubhouse, on land donated sufficient land adjoining camechairman of a committee of five civilians and two military men. A committee promised ac- cess to grass seed, pipe and a quantity of Red Butte Canyon water. The committee began selling memberships for $100 each, quickly raising a $10,000 fund that was placed in the general's safekeeping. A uniformed engineer, Capt. Allum, was soon su- pervising construction of the first ed and even “serounged” until a its stone clubhouse to permit building a swimming-pool and rock structure with woodenceil- tennis-court complex, plus much Materials were purchased, donating beams and handsome wood- based light fixtures was finished by 1936 at a cost of $33,000. Old-timers three holes playable in early 1923. Before the year ended, six moreholes were seeded. By time, the general's work force had completed a small clubhouse of lumber taken from rapidly demolished temporary war-built buildings. In a short while, Dean F. Brayton replaced Tracy as club chairman. The wooden clubhouse soon becamea populargathering place where civilians met Army with members of the downtown Sen. “right” to a Red Butte supply business community. Gen. McAlexander wisely ap- soon stored in a $370,000 dam Reed Smoot, secured a and reservoir built under Army Corps of Engineers auspices. All was well — the golf club set up based on regulations being followed at the Presidio Army Post in San Francisco. In 1928, the report rather shamefacedly in their club history, an “unwritten policy” during the 1930s stressing that the club was for male members only. Meanwhile, when strapped for money, the club housed slot ma- chinesin its social room. This columnist should add this was not unusual — the Country Club, Alta Club, Ambassador Club and University Club all had “‘slots”at various times. Soon, as one might guess, there nine holes of a proposed 18-hole course. Ground was plowed, pipe laid and greens seeded, making well with residents nearby, nor a dwindling numberofprisoners), At the same time, Fort Douglas clubbers were made aware that structure its rough-hewn style. As years passed, the water supply proved inadequate — but Brayton, meeting with Utah's work project.” The commandant had a readylabor force (including pensive sprinkler system, nor its fairways, traps or greens. military image, the general proposed building a modest golf course on the military reservation opento the playofinterested citizens. His suggestion was heartily seconded by a leading citizenbanker, Russel L. Tracy, who be- and even tried explosive charges proached some Salt Lake City friends and proposed a “make- maintenance of the still-existing golf course on what had been federal land. The takeover date was April 1959 — and the university, while gaining a golf course, would not reimburse the club forits ex- horses, an engineer or two, and a modest supply of construction equipment. To improve the local men, and golfers glowed. uation understandably did notsit wouldtakeoverall operation and at the edgeofthe old fort property, lacked room for the amenities needed fora viable social club. A solution came in the person of Salt Laker James A. Hogle, who out. They dug tunnels, cut wire as they sought to escape. This sit- tainUp.” This will feature two sion or no, member S.A. Roberts secured the services of a draftsman — andsoon Roberts and the draftsman designed the initial rock building that gave today’s a maze of linked stone structures built at assorted times and on as- Golf had becomea national pastime — with Bobby Jones and Gene Sarazen appearing in newsreels and newspapers. Depres- JACK GOODMAN ing (opposite the University of Utah's Ballet West Steps Up With 5 Premieres been marked, through periods of was a new source of revenue — World WarII brought many new officers to Fort Douglas military post, and they were welcomedat the clubhouse and onits links. The war’s end brought new problems. The golf-club land was included in the 299 acres the Army deeded to the university in 1948. Temporarily, the U. only needed two holes of the playable course for construction, so the other holes were redesigned — but that solution was temporary. the golf course was on public land that could not be leased nor operated as a private club. Members soon were studying the Oakridge Club at Farmington, Willow Creek land until they finally hit upon a Hidden Valley site for their new course. Shortly after club members beganto play at the The program features three Ballet West premieres: Hans Van Manen’s “In and Out,” reographed in 1975 on Kage choreographer, created the work, set io songs of Laurie Anderson and Nina Hagen, and Gelsey Kirkiand and was Tudor’s last major work.“The quality of the work is extraordinary,” Kage said. “It is demandingin its simplicity and is a wonderful display of mood, slightly melancholy in its romanticism.” Compieting the program is AndrewsSisters. It was given existing today with a new north entrance lobby, enlarged dining and meeting rooms, a lower lounge and a popular grill room. Problems with the university were resolved, and a south right- of-way into the clubhouse was provided. Women were welcomed, and children soon took swimming and tennis lessons — one seasonal improvement being the “bubble” for the winter tennis play. Thereis, of course, no remaining Fort Douglas Clubgolf facility on the club property now, although the university still maintains a few holes of the old club links. Times change, social clubs seem to have become surplus — for example, the University Club, Club members became aware “Balanchine’s work with Stravinsky was a very important part of his choreographic membershipswere at a premium, and the facility gained status as a “family club.” and danceareas, private dining Ambassador Club and Elks Club on South Temple have vanished. Paul Taylor’s ‘Company‘B,’” set to recorded music by the its premiere by the Houston Ballet in 1991 and was presented by Ballet Westthe fol- reflect Kage’s style and taste Ted Brandsen’s “Bach Moves” and Lila York’s “Rapture.” Van Manen,a leading Dutch for the Netherlands Dans Theatre 1. “Although long established, van Manen’s choreography remains of the cutting edge,” Kage said. “In and Out” suggests the subtle tensions between the sexes. The premiere of “Bach Moves”will mark the American debut of up-and-coming Dutch choreographer Brandsen. “He has been influenced « by Hans,” Kage said. “But he lowing year. Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times wrote has his own distinct style.” . Dutch critic R. Van de Graff wrote of the work:‘It is touch- of the piece: “Company ‘B’” hits us deep in the gut as it ing becauseofits beauty and . the inevitable relationship the dazzles the eye with its out- choreography maintains with > pouring of spiritual choreog- Bach. Andre Prokovsky’s “Anna Karenina,” first presented the energetic “Rapture” by ..] Lila York, a former Paul Tay- Capitol Theatre stage Nov. 715. Set to music of Tchaikovsky, it is Prokovsky’s balletie version of Toistoy’s classic celebrated current choreographers. Choreographed for 20 dancers to music from two Prokofiev piano concertos, raphy.” here in 1987, returns to the vo Completing the program is .. lor dancer and oneof the most novel.It is primarily an interpretation oftheill-fated love affair of Anna and Count Vronsky. the piece was described by Jennifer Dunning of The New York Times as “ingeniously plotted, with moments of Since it was last performed dreamlikestillness and melan- by Ballet West, Prokovsky has made several revisions and staged ‘“‘Anna Karenina” worldwide. The company will present his newest version, mostly recently performed by choly punctuating the dancers’ race across the stage.” “The surge of power [in ‘Rapture’] is amazing,” Kage said. Season-ticket prices range the Kirov Ballet. The season continues with from $34 to $242. Subscribers mayalso pre-ordertickets to phase outthe old and bring in the the company’s traditional “The Nutcracker,” which are the possibility of rumoredreal-es- holiday offering, William F. Christensen’s “The Nutcrack- not included in seasontickets, For information,call the Sub- tate development at the old military site. er.” The belovedballet, set to Tchaikovsky's magical score, scriber Services Department at 323-6920. new ownership, with, one hears, Jack Goodman has been asso- new Hidden Valleylinks, another crisis developed. U. officials noti- ciated with The Salt Lake Trib- fied the Fort Douglas Club it for 50 years. une as a staff or free-lance writer eis SCHOOL OTS Lyle Archibald, director tn with Utah State University Combined Choirs and Orchestra hh tle different things,” he said. The program thatwill most Apparently the time has come to Salt Lake Community College historian, Program includes: nel? Was author, Magnificat PR eal ody actress, John Rutter } From the New World major changes, he will have input on the production. “There will maybebea fewlit- will be the season’s finale: ‘‘Pointe/Counterpoint,” scheduled April 17-25. more parkingarea. Soon“social” In 1966 a loan agreement with Zions Bank and Prudential Insurance made a half-million dollars available. Dean Gustavson designed the extended clubhouse runs Dec. 5-31. The first program of 1998, scheduled Feb. 6-14, will be “Sieeping Beauty” as staged by outgoing artistic director John Hart. Set to the famous Tchaikovsky score, with sets and costume designs by Peter Farmer, the ballet is a mirror of 19th-century splendor, While Kage says he plans no works newto Ballet West: Antony Tudor's “The Leaves Are Fading” and a George Balanchine piece, whose title has not yet been announced, with an Igor Stravinksy score. career,if not his mostinteresting,” Kage said. “Leaves,” set to the music of Antonin Dvorak, was cho- playwright, Yy Se Nee ce & SHAKESPEARE civil-rights Antonin Dvorak activist, Spiritual Journeys producer, A Choral Perspective director c ra a ee ker) Carol Nelson guest soprano Sunday, May 4, 1997,°7:00'p.m: aL NR COR Leto Nim c cam n eeTt i) ARTS (2787) Pent Se Students $8 C || * Department of Theatre WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY College of Education | | | Departmentof Child & Family Studies Enhancing the lives ofchildren and families NE Sees sae emer i. = INTERMOUNTAIN S 4 enon Raa] |