A special effort to make Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay State Park more environmentally friendly is saving taxpayer money, garnering a national Audubon award and making the course more enjoyable for golfers, according to state and course officials.
Last week, the course was designated a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary,” given to golf courses that preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources.
The course is the seventh in Tennessee and the second within the Tennessee State Parks system to receive the honor, according to Tammy Heise, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Course Superintendent Paul L. Carter said the changes that went into achieving Audubon certification likely will save the state about $100,000 in yearlong course maintenance and has made the course a prettier, more natural and relaxing experience for golfers.
“The biggest thing we did was cut out a lot of mowing along the edges of the course and transfer those areas to more natural, native grasses. That cut down on fertilizers, mowing fuel, even manpower,” he said. “And it has provided a good habitat for wildlife.”
Course workers also put up 45 bluebird houses and 12 wood duck boxes. Three wood duck hens have roosted, and workers are watching for the 32 eggs to hatch, he said.
Mr. Carter, 38, also was honored with the designation of “certified golf course superintendent,” a rare designation given by the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America and held by fewer than 1,900 of the 20,000 members of the organization.
Ms. Heise said only 674 golf courses worldwide have been designated as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries. To achieve certification, a golf course must show environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
