HFCC Community Service Project

Each year the HFCC maintenance staff perform some form of community service.  Past projects have included clearing land for a community park, cutting and splitting firewood for the needy, planting trees throughout the town, clearing land for the animal shelter, and many others.  Our newest project is actually an extension of another project and continues to demonstrate Highlands Falls commitment to the community and the environment.

Constructing Nesting Boxes

Constructing Nesting Boxes

Earlier this year we began a cavity nesting experiment with the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society.  This project has turned out to be very popular throughout the community as the HPAS ran out of nesting boxes.  Not to worry, the HFCC maintenance staff has come to the rescue and built 50 nesting boxes so that the project can continue to grow.

50 Nesting boxes ready for the outdoors.

The boxes will be placed throughout Highlands with the intent of attracting native bird species such as the Eastern Bluebird and Carolina Chikadee.

Projects Update

The winter weather has been kind to us this year.  While it is raining today, the majority of January has provided acceptable weather for working outside. 

We are nearly complete with the new rock wall at #18 tee.  I must say that I wish we had done this project sooner as it looks spectacular!  After we finish #18 tee, we will be doing some rock work behind #2 green and on #7 and #19 tees.

Rock wall #18 tee.

#18 tee.

In addition to rock work, the staff has been busy with installing drainage.  We have completed the drainage projects on #19 and the clubhouse and have begun a large project on #13.  Not only are we installing the "turfdrain" system on #13, but also leveling a large area of the rough and fairway.  This includes removing the sod, adding soil, and preparing a smooth grade before we install drainage and relay the sod. 

Installing turfdrain on #13.

Cleaning out a drainage trench.

Removing trench spoils the turfdrain way.

The Man Behind the Scenes

In every operation there is someone who is extremely valuable for success but who is often times not seen.  That person at HFCC is our Equipment Manager, Aaron Brown.  Aaron came to us after our previous equipment manager fell ill and retired.  Aaron started with HFCC almost 2 years ago on July 4th, our busiest time (and day) of the year. 

Aaron working on the club's truck.

Aaron is a local from Sylva where he graduated from Smokey Mountain High School.  After high school he attended and graduated from Nashville Auto/Diesel College followed by stints at Mountaintop and Trillium Country Clubs.  He has been married to his wife Jordyn for nearly four years and they have three children; Bruce, Gavin, and Lawson.  He likes to spend time hunting and fishing but mostly enjoys spending time with his family.  One thing most people do not know about Aaron is that he can play the piano.

Changing tires is a regular occurrence.

While our employees are our #1 asset, our equipment comes in 2nd and without it, we would not be able to provide the quality conditions that we do on the course.  With nearly 1.5 million dollars worth of equipment at HFCC, Aaron has his hands full.  He is responsible for the maintenance of all the equipment as well as the maintenance building.  In his short time at HFCC, he has reorganized several areas within the shop and changed procedures to improve efficiency and upgrade quality. 

Aaron records all maintenance performed on equipment.

So the next time you look out and gaze at the beautiful grounds that make up HFCC, remember there is someone behind the scenes helping to make that possible.

Winter Work On Track

As part of the 5-year course improvement plan, rock walls are to be added along the lakes at #8 green and #9 tee, and also at #18 tee.  Despite cold and rainy weather, I am happy to report that the wall at #8 green and #9 tee is finished.  This is some of the best rock work our staff has ever done and I am sure everyone will be pleased.  Since the weather is going to get VERY cold here the remainder of this week, we will be holding off on #18 tee.  As soon as it warms up a bit we will start that project.

Rock wall #8 green.

Rock wall #8 green.

In addition to the rock work, we have been working on various drainage projects. We have just completed installing Turfdrain on hole #19.  This turned out to be a major undertaking as the ground was heavily saturated and quickly became a fight in the mud.  However, in the end, we won and the area is already benefiting from the Turfdrain system.  In addition to #19, we are also working on a few smaller drainage projects on the club grounds.  Other drainage projects that we have yet to do are on #11 fairway and #13 fairway.

Drain pipe install at the clubhouse.

Drainage at the Clubhouse

As some of the crew have been working on drainage, others have been working on tree removal.  Several dead trees have been removed throughout the course along with a few not so well placed landscape trees.

Cleaning up a downed tree.

Cavity Nesting Bird Research

Highlands Falls Country Club is partnering with the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society on a community wide experiment to determine if offering identical bird boxes but with larger and smaller diameter entrance holes, may increase nesting success for native bird species in our area.

HFCC staff installing a bird box.

HFCC partnering with HPAS on bird research.

Close-up of a bird box.

Seven pairs of boxes have been placed throughout the course and will be monitored throughout the year to see which size entrance hole will be more successful.  Results will be shared with the NC Audubon Society.  Some cavity nesting birds that we hope to attract are the Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chikadee, Tree Swallow, and Carolina Wren.

Carolina Wren

Tree Swallow

Since the ecology and environment at HFCC is just as important to the beauty of the golf course as perfectly mown grass, this project will only enhance the allure of the property. 

HFCC Maintenance Shop Improvements

It is often said that one can judge the condition of a golf course by observing the condition of the maintenance facility.  While our maintenance facility is old, it is neat and organized and provides everything necessary to conduct the business of golf course maintenance.  However, it was in need of several upgrades that would improve efficiency and continue to protect the facility and the equipment inside.

The first and most important improvement was the installation of a new roof.  The old roof was rusty and leaked in many areas which also caused mold to form on the insulation.  The old roof and insulation was removed and a new "40-year" metal roof was installed.  After the installation was finished, spray foam insulation was applied to the inside.  The final part of this project was the painting of the ceiling with a fire retardant paint.  I am happy to report that after several rains and cold weather, that the new roof has performed flawlessly and the shop is much warmer now.

Removing the old roof and insulation.

New roof installation.

Foam insulation being applied to the roof.

The second major project for the maintenance facility was the repaving of the facility.  All of the old asphalt was pulled up and hauled away.  The contractor next brought in a gravel base and graded the parking lot and the staging areas so that water would flow to designated areas.  Lastly, the entire area was paved with heavy duty pavement that can withstand the weight of the many delivery trucks that frequent the facility.  The new pavement will make it easier to keep the shop clean while also reducing damage to equipment caused by broken pavement.

Removing old asphalt.

Installing a new drain

Grading the sub-grade prior to asphalt.

Laying asphalt around the wash area.

With the new pavement around the facility, we felt it was time to improve the aesthetics of the building.  We are currently in the process of constructing a new entrance to the offices, installing landscape beds and rock curbs, relocating attached equipment to improve efficiency, and installing additional drainage and conduits for future improvements.  When finished, the HFCC maintenance facility will be one that every member will be proud of.

Installing rock curbing around a future landscape bed.

Beginnings of the new entrance to the maintenance facility.

Rock curbing.

                     

HFCC Golf Course Staff Perform Community Service

Every year, the HFCC golf course maintenance staff performs a community service project aimed at helping the Highlands community.  This year our staff put its expertise to work at the Kelsey Hutchinson park.  Several large trees and many smaller ones needed removed from the park so that an old building on the property could be removed to make way for additional green space.  Park Founder chairman Nick Bazon was very thankful to all the members of Highlands Falls for donating the staff and equipment to get the work done.

In addition to removing the trees, the staff also cut and split the wood for the Emergency Council of Highlands.  The firewood will be given to needy families for heating in the winter.

Splitting firewood

Removing a fallen tree

Cutting a tree with the help of our loader

Site plans for the Kelsey Hutchinson Park