The River Course at Harpeth Valley is now open, bringing entrepreneur and visionary Stan Smoot one step closer to realization of his grand plan: a golfing mecca on the banks of the Harpeth River.
      Smoot owns Harpeth Valley Golf Center on Old Harding Pike (a hop, skip and jump from Bellevue Mall) with his wife, Susan, and friends and co-owners Harlan and Stacey Holmes. Stan and Stacey are the hands-on parties in the partnership; he is general manager and director of golf, she is office manager and bookkeeper. Both are jacks-of-all-trades around the bustling grounds of the 50-acre complex, which are soon to become even busier.
      Harpeth Valley, which Smoot took over four years ago and began molding as a sculptor molds a piece of clay, is known for its luxurious, sprawling driving range and a 3-acre short game practice area with pitching greens, bunkers and a 7,000-square-foot putting green. Ground was broken in July on the new 9-hole course that Smoot has envisioned for the last several years.
      "It was part of the original business plan," he says. "We're pleased to finally get it going."
      Being in a flood plain made obtaining all the necessary permits and ordeal, but now that that's done, Smoot sees nothing but smooth sailing ahead. The par-3 course will have holes ranging from 60 to 200 yards in length, with two sets of tees. The enclosed lake will present a formidable challenge, particularly on the course's signature hole, whose green will be surrounded by water on three sides.