With the recent introduction of cars such as the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model S (Motor Trend's 2013 car of the year and Consumer Reports' highest-rated car in the publication's history) the nascent all electric car market looks to grow into the mainstream.
Golf Course equipment vendors have also introduced battery powered mowers and equipment but face skepticism on the part of Golf Course Superintendents, worries about battery life and power outages are often cited.
The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay is part of the Tennessee State Park system & has recently made a purchase of all electric golf course equipment that may be one of the largest purchases of its kind in the industry.
Superintendent Paul Carter demonstrates the Jacobsen Eclipse 322 electric mower while Jeff Hollister of Chattanooga Golf and Country Club looks on. Photo Credit: Turfnet.
The project, which includes what Jacobsen's Adam Slick says is the largest single Eclipse purchase to date, was made possible through a grant from the Tennessee Department and Environment and Conservation. Brock Hill, deputy director for parks and conservation for TDEC jokingly referred to Harrison Bay as "the quietest golf course in the state of Tennessee, maybe even the entire Southeast."
From Turfnet
The purchase of the 18 pieces of equipment was made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Department and Environment and Conservation (400k). Golf Course Superintendent Paul Carter expects to soon have solar panels installed on the roof of the maintenance facility.
The only sound heard is the buzz of the blades as they cut the grass.
Bear Trace at Harrison Bay is ranked #1 by Audubon International out of 765 golf courses certified by Audubon International, and has twice been awarded the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has awarded Harrison Bay the Environmental Leaders in Golf Award for four consecutive years (2009-2012) and won the prestigious national TurfNet Superintendent of the Year award in 2011.
45 nesting houses have been installed at Harrison Bay and they have an Eagle cam that is very popular. About 40 acres on the golf course have been naturalized, using over 200 plant types that are native to the Tennessee area.
In just 60 days those measurable results include a reduction of 317 gallons of diesel fuel. Meanwhile, the electric bill at Harrison Bay has gone up just $47 in that same period. Carter says the new mowers are expected to pay for themselves in three years.
“Their recognized efforts include a number of improvements on the environmental front, such as water quality and conservation, wildlife and habitat management, and reduction in chemical usage.”
From chattanoogan.com
Naturalized areas next to ponds and streams act as a buffer area from pesticide applications and vastly reduce the chances of spray drifting into the water. Some areas in the US require monitoring of the water, testing for pesticide levels. Best practices allow Golf Course Superintendents to reduce nitrogen applications. Deep and infrequent irrigation creates deeper root growth and reduces water usage by 20-40%. Healthier putting green turf requires less pesticide use. There is simply no good reason not to do these things that are save money, resources and limit pesticide use.
I used to work in the golf course business & know some of the good and the bad. I found out about this golf course and its recent move to electric equipment and wanted to share the story.