Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau and Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill will unveil the new electric golf course equipment at the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Golf Course on Tuesday, beginning at noon. The event is designed to showcase the new maintenance equipment, while demonstrating its positive environmental impacts and energy savings, among other benefits. Attendees will include members of the community, golfing enthusiasts, power industry representatives, equipment manufacturers and local park supporters.
Using funds provided by the Clean Tennessee Energy Grant program, the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay replaced gasoline-powered golf course equipment with battery-powered options including greens and approach mowers, bunker rakes, greens rollers, and utility vehicles. Equipment manufacturers represented at the event will include Jacobsen, Smithco, Tru Turf, Toro Workman and Club Car.
Overall, the new equipment will provide an estimated 300 percent decrease in annual operating expenses and a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Coupled with the overall economic and environmental benefits, the electric equipment is virtually silent when it operates, minimizing noise that could disturb both golfers and wildlife. Additionally, there are no fluids to manage, such as hydraulic or other automotive fluids, reducing potential impacts to vegetation and ground water, while also reducing staff resources.
"This initiative is the first of its kind at a Tennessee State Parks golf course and we are thrilled to support the electric equipment initiative with funds from the Clean Tennessee Energy Grant program," said Commissioner Martineau. "The project exemplifies the environmental protection, fiscal soundness, and community benefits that are at the heart of sustainability."