Utilizing Native Plants

In the winter of 2007 we renovated the area between our first tee complex and the driving range removing the unsightly landscaping and crumbling cartpath which did not give our guests a good first impression of our golf course.  Through the aid of the Iris Fund, a program designed to provide funding to Tennessee State Parks for the protection and planting of native plants, as well as the removal of invasive exotic plants through the purchase of Tennessee State Park specialty license plates, we were able to build a raised planting bed which would be planted solely with plants native to Tennessee.  Many years have past and the plants have grown to a mature state now providing our guests with a wonderful showing of color and texture. 

Photo of the #1 teeing complex prior to the renovation.

The #1 teeing complex after the renovation.
Drainage was placed in the cartpath to remove rainfall and irrigation and the golf car path was regraded and paved by TDOT.

Some of the native plants we chose for the planting

Flame Azalea

Rhododendron austrimum

Columbine
Aquilegia canandensis

Threadleaf Blue Star
Amsonia hubrictii

Fothergilla  /  Witch-Alder
Fothergilla gardenia



Our native areas around the golf course, which we began renovation of last summer, are also beginning to show promise with the growth and bloom of some native wildflowers in the areas.  The native areas will not only provide color and beauty to the golf course but will also provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and small animals.  Foot traffic is allowed but we do ask that you please keep the golf cars out of these areas.

A Little Help...Please

For many years the biggest complaint about our golf course was the condition of the bunkers.  Well, we took the concerns of our guests and members to heart and over the past two winters have renovated most all of them.  We have spent tens of thousands of dollars rebuilding the bunkers to make them playable and enjoyable and have spent hundreds of dollars on bunker rakes so they could be maintained throughout the day by golfers. 

We have been blessed with great weather this spring and with that has come an incresed number of rounds on the golf course.  The maintenance staff does a great job of maintaining the golf course but some of the upkeep falls on the shoulders of the golfers who enjoy it.  Raking the bunkers when you have finished playing out of them is just part of the game and we would greatly appreciate a little help in keeping the golf course in the top condition that we like to see it in.

In addition to the bunkers, please keep in mind to fix your ball marks and fill your divots.  Each golf car is outfitted with two sand bottles and we have refilling stations on #6, #10, and #14 if you run out of sand. Ball marks are becoming an issue on the greens as well, if you need a ball mark repair tool just let me know and I will get you one.  I encourage every golfer to view and follow the techniques demonstrated in the United States Golf Association video on Repairing Ball Marks.

For our many members and guests who do take pride in the golf course we say THANK YOU!!!

Remember The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay is your golf course, treat it with respect.

Mallard Duck Project Update

Today was graduation day for Bill's little mallard duckies.  He moved the ducklings out of the outside shelter and released them into the irrigation lake where we have installed the mallard duck nesting tubes.  Hopefully this will be their new home and they will raise many more mallards in the future.  Catch up on the project by viewing Building Mallard Duck Nesting Tubes or by watching the  USGA Mallard Duck webcast.

Bill ordered 10 mallard duck chicks from Efowl.com and we received them on February 28.  We kept them in the maintenance building where they were fed and watered and kept warm with a small heat lamp.

After they had grown some, which did not take very long at all, Bill built an outside shelter for them where they had some more room, could get used to the outside temperatures, and quit stinking up the maintenance building.  They were very cute to look at while they were so small but they really did stink up the place.

The little ones in their outside home.  I was surprised by how much water they went through in a single day.  The watering container had to be filled up several times per day.  I guess that is why they call them water fowl.

Bill felt that they were ready to face the real world so he gathered them all up and took them over to one of the mallard duck nesting tubes and placed them inside.  The ducklings do not have their flight feathers yet but they should know the tubes are a safe place and will fly back up and use them.

After they all fell out of the nesting tube they swam back to the shore and gathered up in their normal huddle.  It was fun to watch them explore the new environment for a while and try swimming for the first time. 

We already have some new mallards on the pond using the nesting tubes so we hope these mallards will take our ducklings under their wing and show them the ropes.

Although Bill and Mitch have been the leaders of this project, I am very proud of all my staff for their hard work in completing another environmental conservation program at the golf course.  With the unsuccessful nesting of our Bald Eagles this year it is nice to turn around and have a successful nesting program of a different sort. 

Eagle Cam and Mallard Duck Webcast

As many of our faithful followers know, our environmental programs at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay are extremely important to us and the success of our golf course.  Several months ago Bill and Mitch built seven new mallard duck nesting tubes and installed them in the irrigation lake on #11 green.  We were pleased that the fine folks at the United States Golf Association Green Section saw the blog post and requested we record a webcast about the project.  Another great way to promote the environment, so I jumped on board.  Below is a copy of the USGA webcast. 

And as if the great people at TurfNet have not done enough for me and The Bear Trace already they have put together a video about the Harrison Bay Eagle Cam Project and are continuing to add informative articles to keep the TurfNet readers up to date.

A Project for the Birds--TurfNet

Eagle Cam Video--TurfNet

I do want to let everyone know that one of the eagle eggs has been discarded from the nest. Eloise moved the egg out of the nest on Friday morning.  We were all very sad and disappointed but spirits were lifted on Friday evening when the remaining egg began to crack open and our newest eagle at Harrison Bay began the hatching process which can take up to a day to complete.  We are very much looking forward to seeing the little one grow up and take flight.  As I am typing this it is raining outside and like a good mother Eloise is sitting contently on the nest keeping her little one dry and warm. 

And contrary to popular belief we do more than just take care of the "zoo".  We were able to complete the bunker renovation on the large greenside bunker on #12.  We have plans to renovate the small greenside bunker on #12 and the two rear greenside bunkers on #15 before the heavy play season begins, if it hasn't already.

The greens have come out of winter dormancy in great shape this year.  We have begun the process of lowering the heights and will begin our light topdressing program in the next few weeks.  Fairways, tees, and approaches have all been cut down and we will continue to spray the Poa in the roughs throughout the rest of March.  Hope everyone had a great winter break and are ready for some warm weather and great golf.

What an Honor to be Named TurfNet Superintendent of the Year

I just returned from the 2012 Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas where I received one of the biggest honors of my career.  It was there that I received the 2011 Superintendent of the Year Award from TurfNet and Syngenta.  I say that "I" received the award but I could not even come close to this recognition if it were not for the hard work and support of my staff and I have to give all the credit to them.  I also have to thank Robin Boyer, Harrison Bay Head Golf Professional for nominating me and to Mr. Nixon and my lovely wife Melissa for their kind words in the article below.

Hard Work Pays of for Superintendent of the Year--Paul Carter

2011 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year Video

I am humbled and honored that the judges felt that Harrison Bay was worthy of this award considering the level of talent in this years pool of finalists.

Winter is Almost Gone

Wow time is flying by.  We have had some great weather in Chattanooga this winter.  We have been blessed with warmer than usual temperatures and moderate rainfall.  All that has lead to us having the best January in our existance and putting us on pace to have our best year of golf rounds yet.  The crew has been working hard to get the remaining bunkers on the back nine renovated and we are down to only 7 more that we are planning on fixing before spring hits.  With this weather trend though it might be here sooner than we want.

Our other big project for the winter, the Harrison Bay Eagle Cam, is off and running also.  We have had a great amount of publicity about it in local and state papers and in a recent article "Eagle Eye" in GCSAA's monthly publication Golf Course Management .  I am so thankful for all our sponsors on this project and all the assistance I have gotten from fellow State of Tennessee employees and vendors in Chattanooga.  This project is going to be another great way for us to show how golf courses can be beneficial to the environment and wildlife.

Eloise has laid two eggs to date, one on Feb. 11 and one on Feb. 14.  Normal schedule will have the eggs hatching around the middle of March so stay tuned.

Cool Video of an Eagle Owl in Flight

Chris Simon of Signal Mountain Country Club sent out a link to a really cool video of an Eagle Owl this morning.  Click on the link below to see it.  Thanks, Chris.

Video of Eagle Owl in Flight