GOLF OPERATIONS
DRIVING
CART DECISIONS By Brett Gilmore • Head Golf Professional Oro Valley (Ariz.) Country Club
BRETT GILMORE, HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL at Oro Valley (Ariz.) Country Club since March 2021, has been in the golf industry for more than 20 years. When it comes to committing on a major expenditure like golf carts, he carefully weighs all options.
Club + Resort Business: When considering a new fleet of golf carts, where do you begin? Brett Gilmore: I look at our current lease. If it’s coming to an end and I have enjoyed the partnership with that company, I look to get a new one going. C+RB: Both gas and electric have advantages/disadvantages. How do you decide between the two? Gilmore: For us, it’s electric. Electric, in my mind, does provide a better experience when playing and our course is not too hilly where gas carts would be needed. C+RB: What percentage of golfers walk vs. ride at your club? Gilmore: 30% walk and 70% ride. C+RB: Do you offer caddies? Gilmore: No, we do not have any at our facility.
USB ports are a nice touch, “ since more and more golfers are
bringing speakers and phones on the course. But most important to me is sand-bottle holders and coolers. Being in Arizona, the coolers are a necessity.
”
www.clubandresortbusiness.com
C+RB: Do you allow push carts? Gilmore: We do. Most members have their own. C+RB: How do you calculate the correct number of golf carts to have on hand? Is there a formula? Gilmore: The PGA recommends 80 carts for an 18-hole facility. We do not have that many, as we have a lot of members who have their own private carts. Our cart barn is also smaller in size, so we get as many carts as possible that fit, to give us flexibility. C+RB: What “extras” do you consider important (GPS/ navigation screen, on-board USB ports for charging devices, sand-bottle holder, on-cart coolers, etc.)? Gilmore: USB ports are a nice touch, since more and more golfers are bringing speakers and phones on the course. But most important to me is sand-bottle holders and coolers. Being in Arizona, the coolers are a necessity. C+RB: Do you offer golfers an on-board opportunity to order drinks and food? Gilmore: We do not have GPS and do not have that capability. C+RB: Do you utilize software that tracks usage and paths taken by golfers? Gilmore: We do. Our carts have geofencing capability. It helps a lot to protect the course from cart traffic in areas that shouldn’t have any. C+RB: What advice would you give a colleague who’s looking to replace an entire fleet of golf carts? Gilmore: Look at the manufacturer’s warranty closely and if you could afford it, the maintenance plans they offer. Having the regular service from the company helps to extend the life of the carts.
December 2021
l Club + Resort Business l 9
