When you think of Eastern Kentucky and what makes it so unique as a region, those things are almost always a direct result of coal mining. The long and interesting history of what weknow as Eastern Kentucky, all started with the industrial revolution when coal became a highly demanded fuel for the country. The demand for the black rock brought opportunity to the impoverished mountain region and opened up possibilities for economic developments that were not yet possible. With an economy and culture that became reliant on the mineral that defined the region, it makes sense that it holds a deep significance in Eastern Kentucky even in modern times.
What does that have to do with the course?
When you think about StoneCrest you probably think about a beautiful upkept golf course with bent grass fairways and extensive water features. However, this was not always the case. Before the course opened in 2001 it was a strip mine that provided work for the miners of Floyd County. After closing, the city came together to try to develop something out of the extensive amount of land that was no longer being used. Eventually, it was decided that it was going to be a golf course, making it one of four courses in the world to have been built on a reclaimed coal mine. With the mineral being the direct connection between the history of the region as well as the golf course it only made sense to have a tee marker that reflected that.
Why the bank mule?
Before advancements in technology and equipment, miners were faced with the problem of having to remove several tons from deep underground. With no real alternative, animal labor became the standard with mules becoming the preference. At the time, they were essential and provided workers with several advantages that didn’t come with horses. The mules were stronger and had more endurance than horses, required less feed and maintenance, they were more “sure footed” and harder to startle as well as more capable of getting into tighter spaces. They formed close bonds to the miners and were able to be stabled underground, and most importantly they used in detecting any dangers in the mines. With all of these advantages, they became the clear animal of choice and a big part of the culture. Additionally, Van Lear, Kentucky which was a large exporter of number 9 coal, had become a staple in the image of the region as it started becoming more popular in mainstream mass media. Music, film, and journalism from other demographics became obsessed with Appalachia and its way of life, and with that Van Lear became a well-known area. The rise in media presence brought new attention to the miners and photos began to surface. People who have never been to the mountains saw pictures of workers pulling lines of carts with these animals and so it became part of image tied to eastern Kentucky. Even the name is tied to these mountains, as a “bank” was what exposed seams of coal were called. With the history, culture, and media all reflecting the importance of the bank mule, as well as the history of the golf course, it was only fitting that it became the tee marker and by making it a part of our image we preserve a large part of our culture, history, and overall significance.
