This past winter, the chimney from our irrigation pump station was removed in order to install a new "Z-Pipe." This is the black pipe (above) that connects the pump to the irrigation piping on the course. After the this pipe was installed, the chimney went back up along with a small addition that wasn't previously there. The small stone engraved plaque reads:
Teem's Skate House
Est. 2005
Highlands Country Club
So what's the story behind this?
Since 1988, this has been the location of our irrigation pump house. Inside this building are three, 100 horsepower pumps that draw water from Club Lake and supply it to a networking of pipe below the golf course. This building was constructed in 1988 and by 2005, it was in rough shape. The exterior was board and batten, painted battleship gray, like so many things in Highlands during that time period. I often joke that Reeve's Hardware had a big sale on battleship gray paint during the 80's and 90's. The wood was warping in places and separating from the studded walls. The roof was on its last leg as well, with shingles even missing in areas. About 6 giant shrubs, engulfed the building and if I recall, they had grown into the pump house, becoming an integral part of the structure. It was clear we needed to rehab the building in the coming year.
2005 also happened to be the wettest year on record for Highlands, NC. It was a miserably wet year! In August of 2005, we average 1" of rain per day! Everyday at 12:30-1:00PM, the storms would start again the staff was brought in out of the rain, often times being sent home.
These two dynamics presented us with an opportunity. Dr. Marty Teem was dedicated member of the Green Committee during those years and saw the potential in this structure much like I did. After all, one could argue it's the prettiest spot on the campus! We developed a game plan and proceeded with the blessing of my then Green Committee Chairman, Jimmy Watts and General Manager, Greg Crawford. We knew we could use the rainy afternoons to tarp the exterior of the building and work in the dry each afternoon, rather than send staff home. We decided we wanted a rock exterior and even a fireplace chimney. We knew we wanted covered porches, which were also added on either end of the building. The Highlands CC pump house was being modeled after a "Skate House," that sat on the edge of a lake on the Haverford College campus, outside of Philadelphia, PA. It just so happened that I was familiar with the campus after growing up near that area, and Dr. Teem just so happened to complete his undergrad education at Haverford. This building at Haverford College is where ice skates were once rented to students in the winter and concessions were sold. Skaters could come in off the ice and warm up by the fire.
That August of 2005, our idea was put to work despite the rain and the results are still enjoyed today. The only cost for the project was 7 pallets of river rock I purchased for $300 a piece at Highlands Lawn and Garden. Dr. Teem, who encouraged us along the way, allowed us to use the architectural shingles (that mimicked slate roofing) that were sitting in his basement, left over from his home renovation. Even the Chestnut Bark siding that is one the north end of the pump house, was from Dr. Teem's home on Hudson Road. That summer, he shared in our excitement and passion for fixing up this building that became such a prominent eyesore.
After the project was completed, several rumors started about what it cost to rehab that structure. $2,100 in river rock turned into $25,000 in unbudgeted expenses. Before long, the cost exceeded $50,000. In the end, all Dr. Teem and I could do was smile at the fact that the entire building cost the Club $2,100 in river rock and the rest of the materials were found in the golf course maintenance facility, along with the kind donations from Dr. Teem, himself. It turned out to be the most unique and impressive pump station ever seen on a golf course.
2005 was a memorable year to begin with, thanks to the weather. But for me, this project was one of the most fun I've been part of since coming to Highlands CC in 2000. To this day, Dr. Teem and I talk about this project and I thought this small plaque would be a fun way to remember a unique project during a unique time.
It's also worth noting that each December, Dr. Teem hangs a Christmas wreath on the chimney for all to enjoy as they drive by. It's storied like this and the people behind them, that make Highlands CC so unique and special.