The Golfdom Files: Small fleet for a small club
Most golf courses, no matter the size, keep a fleet of golf cars available to their members. In the 1950s and ’60s they were a luxury that some courses could not afford, let alone profit from. ¶ In 1958, Doylestown (Pa.) Country Club invested in their first two cars and saw an increase in the amount of rounds played and revenue. The cars allowed members who could not walk nine or 18 holes to play again, and pairs were paying what would be more than $55 today to use them. When this article was printed in the April 1961 issue of Golfdom, the income brought in from the cars allowed the club of 200 golfers to expand their fleet to five. ¶ New ideas or technologies can make a difference on any golf course; maybe the next golf car will be seen at this year’s Golf Industry Show. For now, enjoy this month’s Golfdom Files and to read the full version of this article, visit golfdom.com/category/exclusive.
Three summers ago two golf cars began making occasional trips up “Cardiac Hill” at the Doylestown Country Club course near Philadelphia. Today, five cars make this trip regularly. Doylestown has found that the cars pay off.
They pay the pro, Charlie Schneider, Jr., for watching over them. They have brought new members into the club and revived the interest of some persons who had given up golf.
The actual statistics of the Doylestown CC’s use of cars may be interesting to clubs that are not yet using them — or to clubs that are not making a profit from their vehicles.
Doylestown is a nine-hole course. The No. 2 hole is a long gradual slope that has been nicknamed Cardiac Hill by members. Players completing an 18-hole circuit must climb this formidable slope twice. The club has 200 golfers. In 1958 Doylestown bought its first two cars, Cushman Golfsters. These units paid for themselves during the first year’s operation and also brought in enough additional funds to buy another car in 1959. The 1959 income from three vehicles made it possible for Doylestown to purchase two more Golfsters to bring the present total to five. All cars were purchased entirely from money made from rentals.
The cars are owned by the club. A percentage of the rental income is paid to Schneider for taking care of the vehicles.
Schneider estimates that during a six-day week his cars are used an average of 35 18-hole rounds. Since the rental rate is $7.00 for 18 holes for two people, this means that the vehicles produce about $245.00 gross income per week. The Doylestown club limits the use of vehicles by permitting only club owned cars on the course. Anyone can use a car, however, as long as the course is playable.
Schneider reports that maintenance of the Golfsters is practically nil. At least two years of operation are realized from batteries and in some case, three. The cars can be used up to 45 holes before recharging is necessary.
The Doylestown pro is another who subscribes to the idea that cars are necessary conveniences on a golf course. He sums up his views by saying: “Fishermen don’t row very much anymore. They use outboards.”
Possibly the best thing about the golf car operation at Doylestown is that it proves even small clubs can profitably run small fleets on a pay-as-you-go purchasing agreement.