Why walk when you can breeze through the country’s most scenically beautiful golf course at Stellenbosch Golf Club on its high-tech new Lithium-Ion electric golf carts that have all the creature comforts expected from a premium cart.
Although walking Stellenbosch Golf Club’s magnificent 18-hole course is still the main means of getting around and experiencing the course firsthand, more than 27% of members now use carts and the number is growing. Busy lifestyles and a younger generation more attuned to modern golfing practices are leading the shift and their high-net-worth membership also drives the investment in premium quality with the selection of plush new ClubCar carts.
Being a relatively flat course with long summer days the choice to walk is not surprising although even the most die-hard traditionalists will be looking at the slick and silent new carts with more than a glimmer of anticipation when the famous Cape sun beats down and an ice-cold drink beckons.
Business driven
But beyond the niceties and the comfort it provides players, the new carts are a sound business investment for the club and helps it to collect much needed revenues that can be ploughed back into maintaining the world-class course. Selection of the right cart is therefore critical and needs to match requirements and infrastructure of the club. It is also the reason club managers like Stellenbosch Golf Club general manager, Chris van der Merwe, spend countless hours every year evaluating carts from different suppliers.
“Our selection was made based on the business case to purchase 40 premium quality carts that are comfortable and capable for the golfer, as well as being trouble-free and easy to operate for the club over the next 5-10 years. With the current state of load shedding we wanted to go with Lithium batteries as they require shorter charging times and can easily complete 36-holes on a single charge.
“The ClubCar solution offers all this in a single package and we benefit from other features like its light weight construction and rust-resistant all-aluminium chassis which is important for courses like ours that are near the coast. They are also kinder on grassed surfaces and have a better power-to-mass ratio for improved power and efficiency.
Plush quality
“Our golfers notice these qualities and with more than 30% of our 1500 members being under the age of 30 years-of-age and an average age of just 45 overall, they embrace technology and help form our clubs decisions. While many of our older members still like to walk, the ClubCar carts are comfortable and good looking and we are seeing a definite shift towards the carts as a result.
“Lithium-Ion batteries also make sense for long summer days here in Cape Town where they can be hired twice a day and effectively generate twice the income of a lead acid equivalent cart. For a club like ours that relies solely on golf for an income that is a huge advantage and an important contributor to our annual revenue,” says Chris.
He adds that overall the carts complement the club’s 120-year history and one of the finest clubs in the country. Set amidst the most beautiful scenery and beautiful winelands the carts give players a chance to enjoy the game with a glass of wine in comfort.
Maintenance free
Simon Woodman, national sales manager for ClubCar of Smith Power Equipment, distributors of ClubCar golf carts in South Africa agrees, adding that ClubCar has a proud golfing heritage which stems from the manufacturing plant in Augusta, USA. Quality craftsmanship means all the carts are supplied with a full 5-year warranty which allows golf courses, Like Stellenbosch Golf Club, to pay less attention to fixing carts and more attention to managing the everyday tasks of maintaining the courses in pristine condition.
In the case of Lithium-Ion battery carts this extends to completely minimising maintenance to a visual check as there are no water fills or any other checks required. Even charging can be carried out on-the-fly due to the charging time of just 3 ½ hours to full, and unlike lead acid that requires a full charge at a time, Lithium batteries can be topped up or part charged as required without damaging the batteries. This is particularly handy in periods of intense load shedding,” he says.
Simon sums up Stellenbosch Golf Club’s decision to purchase ClubCar carts as the right one considering the smart looks, performance and exceptionally high availability of the Lithium-Ion carts. The quality construction, durability and corrosion resistance of the bodywork means that the club has made a smart long-term decision. This is underscored by the brand’s high resale value which means a healthy resale price and substantial deposit will be available when these carts reach the end of their service somewhere in the future.
