Home Game
Nate Smith stayed home this summer, and still won the Idaho Men’s Amateur
by Shane René, IGA Administrator of Media & Communications
In July, Nate Smith stayed home during the Idaho Men’s Amateur. But this year’s championship, hosted at Teton Reserve Golf Course in Victor, Idaho, did not go on without its 96th champion — or, by weeks end, its 98th.
Tucked in the heart of the Teton Valley, Teton Reserve has become an extension of home for the former PGA Tour player. He lives in Tetonia, a “little slice of heaven” amongst a chain of small towns that dot the valley floor, blissfully removed from the glitz, glamour and tourist traps of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He jokes that word of how good they have it here seems to be getting around.
But Smith — who grew up in California before an All-American career at Duke University and the road-warrior life as a tour pro — didn’t move here for the golf. In fact, his clubs had been collecting dust for many years. Smith moved for many of the same reasons that anyone comes to visit.
“Just the quality of life,” Smith said. “I fell in love with the community, the culture here, the access to the outdoors. It’s getting discovered more and more these days, but I’m just happy to call this place home.”
Smith is the co-owner of a general contracting company that works around the Teton Valley. And when he first moved here, living in a rental just down the road from Teton Reserve, the golf course naturally caught his eye. So, he ventured over to putt around the practice facilities and take in the views. His golf bug finally had a place to feed.
Teton Reserve positions itself as a respite from the high-dollar, ultra-private clubs that litter the Teton Valley. The course has a charming, public roughness, clearly cared for by a greens staff that works hard to make it sing after harsh winters. Long, well-bunkered holes offer a challenge for players of all abilities. And the views are as good as anywhere in Idaho.
But the culture really pops in the pro shop, which feels more like a SoCal surf or skate shop. It’s crowded by racks of Malbon swag and Puma’s fashion-forward Arnold Palmer line. Boutique handbags in the shape of golf bags just large enough to hold a bottle of wine catch your eye as you walk in the door. Look-good-play-good is certainly part of the ethos here. But feeling good, and like yourself, is all the law.
“Our Head Pro Brian James has done a phenomenal job taking over this golf course and really opening it up to the community,” Smith said. “We’ve got a great group of people who play out here.”
James — better known as “Cutter” — is the captain of the ship here at Teton Reserve. The former professional skateboarder and snowboarder turned full-time DJ and artist (he still does both), has a deep background in the game. He cut his teeth working at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida, and Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. Eventually, he found his way back into golf when Covid sent the live-entertainment world into hibernation.
Soon after taking a job in the Teton Reserve pro shop, James said he saw the writing on the wall, signed up for the PGA Professional playing test and took advantage of an opening for the Head Professional job.
“I wanted this to be somewhere where everyone feels welcome,” James said. “And it’s just a really strong golf community. Good times. Good vibes. And we’re keeping golf accessible at the same time. It’s something I really love and take a lot of pride in what we’ve created here.”
James says he first met Smith when he was still just a local golfer. New to town, Smith approached the pro at the time looking for folks to play with, and was quickly connected to James. With little knowledge of Smith’s background, and some confidence in his own game, James casually agreed to terms on a simple, $40 match. James shot 70. Smith shot 68.
“He’s a good golfer,” James said. “I’m just thinking, ‘Okay, he got me today.’”
Next time they played, James shot 70 again. Smith rolled in with 69. James says that happened a few more times before the pro at the time suggested James take out his phone and do some research on his new money-game opponent.
“So I look him up and I see two-time All-American at Duke, Web.com winner, and I’m like, ‘Alright, thanks a lot. I see how it is, buddy. Nice to meet you, Nate.’”
To the casual observer, it may seem odd that Smith plays most of his golf at a public golf course in an area studded with world-class facilities. Tributary, designed by David McLay Kidd (of Bandon Dunes fame), sits just down the road and is routinely ranked among the best courses in the region.
Even with his PGA Tour days behind him, Smith still enjoys some national recognition for his talent, sitting 265th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and 36th among Mid-Amateurs (12th among American Mid-Amateurs). He also competes in Grass League, the semi-professional par-3 tour. But James thinks Smith is too much of a “man of the people” to fall into the trappings of the ultra-private club life.
“I think it’s just one of those things where he wants to be around people who are real — just having a club where he can relax and be himself,” James said. “Having him here has been a great asset to us, it’s been a really good vibe and a big part of the community that we create and something that I think we’re all lucky to have and be a part of.”
Smith rolled around his home track this summer with relative ease, collecting a six-stroke victory and his second Idaho Amateur title. The win earned him an exemption into the U.S. Amateur and help him stay exempt for the U.S. Mid-Amateur via the World Amateur Golf Rankings. But winning in front of a community that has defined this chapter of his life might have been as sweet as anything.
“Thank you so much to this community and thank you so much to everyone who plays golf around here,” Smith said in his post-victory speech at the Idaho Amateur. “I love you all.”
Likewise, we’re sure.