NIVEL COMPLETES JAKE’S ACQUISITION
We are pleased to advise you that on November 25, Nivel Holdings, LLC completed an acquisition of Jake’s Carts, LLC, the leading designer and manufacturer of lift kits and related products. Effective December 1, Jake’s will operate as a subsidiary of Nivel Parts. It is our belief that this transaction will allow us to bring the strengths of these two outstanding companies together with the end result being expanded service to our customers. Here are some of the benefits that we expect to gain:
- Continued commitment to provide our customers with the best products presently available.
- Jake’s product development and manufacturing capability will allow us to expand our offering to meet the changing needs of the golf car market place.
- An on going commitment to be the engineering leader with lift kits and related products.
- Improved shipping response time as we take advantage of the Jacksonville, Tucson, Beaverton, along with Jake’s central Pennsylvania location for all of Jake’s products.
- Expanded sales coverage, as product sales from both catalogs will be made available to each of the sales organizations.
CMAA TO LEAVE PARTNERSHIP– GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW TO LAS VEGAS IN 2012
Las Vegas has been selected as the site of the 2012 Golf Industry Show as announced October 21, 2009
The dates of the show will be Wednesday, February 29, and Thursday, March 1, 2009 while presenting partners the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Education Conference and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) education Conference will be conducted February 27-28 and March 2. The Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), the National Golf Foundation (NGF) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) are all participating partners in the event.
In related news, the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) notified Golf Industry Show partners that it is leaving the partnership after the 2010 show in San Diego, which will be held February 10-11. The 2011 show will be conducted in Orlando, Florida.
The Golf Industry Show is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. The Golf Industry Show is continually ranked by Tradeshow Week magazine as among the top 100 trade shows nationally (out of more than 3,500 conducted every year).
CLUB CAR ANNOUNCES FIRST LOW-SPEED PASSENGER VEHICLE
Qualified buyers can receive Federal tax credits amounting to nearly half the cost of the energy-efficient LSV
Club Car announced that its first street-legal low-speed passenger vehicle will begin shipping the week of November 4, 2009, giving businesses and consumers time to take advantage of Federal tax credits that amount to nearly 50 percent of the suggested retail price for the new Villager 2+2.
The zero-emission LSV from Club Car carries up to four passengers and builds on the Villager’s history of providing dependable energy-efficient transportation for thousands of businesses and consumers worldwide.
LSVs are the fastest-growing segment in what is known as the small task-oriented vehicles (STOV) market, increasing by nearly 50 percent in the last year, according to International Market Solutions, a NY-based research firm.
According to a study conducted by Green Car Institute, a nonprofit California research corporation, consumers and businesses are using LSVs instead of cars or trucks with gasoline internal combustion engines for daily short-distance trips and for cargo transport. In the same survey, LSV owners said they purchased the nimble, street-legal vehicles because they offer an environmentally friendly mode of travel, save on gasoline and fit their lifestyle and business needs for economical transportation.
The Four-wheeled motor vehicles weigh less than 3,000 pounds and have a top speed between 20 and 25 mph. Currently LSVs are allowed in 47 states and the District of Columbia on many roads where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or lower.
In accordance with LSV requirements, Club Car’s Villager 2+2 features headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals and a horn. In addition, a wrap-around impact-resistant bumper system and an onboard charger are standard. Colors include white (standard), beige and black (optional), diamond white pearl, titanium silver, and desert sand (premium). Option packages are available.
“Even WHEN the purchase of an LSV does not replace a personal or commercial vehicle, it will replace many of the miles a vehicle with an internal combustion engine is used for, and that’s going to translate to fuel and energy savings as well as convenience,” said McElreath.
Club Car vehicles are sold through authorized dealers. To locate a dealer, go to clubcar.com and click on Dealer Locator.
NEW COLLEGE GOING SOLAR WITH CRUISE CAR
Cruise Car Solar Electric hybrid vehicles will transport the New College Charter Class during their 45th Anniversary celebration (October 23-24, 2009) at the New College campus. The vehicles, which transport from four to fourteen passengers, are being provided also as the debut event of the New College – Cruise Car sustainable transportation partnership.
Vehicles will be delivered to the Sudakoff Center at 10 am on Friday, October 23, 2009 and will be driven by New College faculty and staff. The Education Channel of the Sarasota County School Board will be filming this kickoff event for their show, “Going Green” that highlights leading edge, local sustainable efforts.
Cruise Car, Inc., a Sarasota company, produces solar electric hybrid vehicles locally and sells them world wide to local governments, military bases, national parks, colleges, resorts and corporate campuses. Throughout the world, these vehicles are demonstrating the ecological and economical benefits of moving from the gasoline pump to the plug.
The New College – Cruise Car sustainable transportation partnership includes an evaluation of campus fleet vehicles and usage; identification of student transportation patterns and working with campus leaders to determine further opportunities where solar can be incorporated into the campus environment. According to New College Foundation president, Andrew Walker, this partnership is an effort to “lower transportation costs, lower our transportation carbon footprint and clearly declare New College and its students’ commitment to sustainability.”
“The New College partnership with Cruise Car – Eco Trans Alliance is establishing a prototypical methodology that will help other college campuses go solar”, according to Mary Anne Bowie, FAICP, Sustainability Leader for Eco Trans Alliance, who is leading the study. Jono Miller, New College faculty member, is coordinating the study for New College. The study is expected to take several months to complete.
Cruise Car Inc. sells efficient, affordable solar electric hybrid low speed vehicles that are street legal on 35 mph streets. Cruise Car Inc. provides alternative energy transportation solutions for military bases, resorts, residential communities, and college, corporate and health care campuses.
In addition to the unique solar powered electric vehicles that transport from two passengers to more than 24 passengers, Cruise Car Inc. with its partner company, Eco Trans Alliance, offers sustainable transportation systems that include zip charging systems for rapid battery recovery, GPS tracking systems for fleet management and real time transit info, and Eco Ports that are solar powered structures providing shaded parking and vehicle recharging. Cruise Car Inc. is a GSA multiple award schedule contract holder and sells and ships to U. S. government facilities throughout the world.
Visit www.cruisecarinc.com or www.ecotransalliance.com.
PIMP MY GOLF CART
It seems that golf carts have escaped. They have shed their surrounding, dropped the dowdy image and hit the streets to become the latest must-have accessory.
Across Europe, popularity is growing and can be measured by the number of celebrities queuing up to jump on the buggy-wagon. The most recent purchase was by pop star Cheryl Cole, who bought husband and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole, a “Mini-Hummer” buggy as a gift, spending $8,000 customizing the cart with gold-plated hub caps, Swarovski crystals and a trunk for his golf clubs.
Dominik Jackson, owner of Mini-Hummer says demand for the vehicles has rocketed since 2006: “It started as a glorified golf buggy. But since adapting the look we’ve had demand from all over Europe and even from royal families in the Middle East.” The carts are already on the roads in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and the company is planning to launch a new fully enclosed Mini-Hummer in London next year.
While Europe is catching up with the trend, there has been a big market for “pimped” golf carts in the United States for some time. I’d say about 99% of our sales these days are for individual use,” says Randy Hopper, owner of Sick ‘N’ Twisted Designs, one of the largest bespoke golf cart manufacturers in California. “We build customized golf carts to the specific requirements of the customer – we pretty much do everything.”
And this really means everything. Modern carts are now built with leather seats, wooden dashboard, surround-sound systems, iPod players, lower lighting and air bags, in a variety of themes – street, lifted, off-road and even Limo carts.
Sick ‘N’ Twisted customer Dave Johnson is having his golf cart pimped and modified to match the color of his boat: “It’s going to be burgundy with 12-inch wheels, full sound system and air-bags that adjust the height of the cart.” Dave insists that in his neighborhood, golf carts are more of an everyday than a luxury item: “They’re practical, affordable and it’s nice to cruise around and see your neighbors.”
So is this a case of keeping up with the Joneses? “There’s no official competition on our street, but people take notice of things like that. It’s definitely seen as a status symbol.”
While the golf cart remains a staple on the fairways, the souped-up street version is no longer just par for the course.
MALACCA RESORT TO USE HOME-MADE GREEN BATTERIES FOR GOLF CARTS
A renowned resort in Malacca is taking the government’s call to migrate to green technology seriously.
A’Famosa Resort Hotel Sdn Bhd said all golf carts used on its 27-hole championship golf course will soon be powered by the Green Golf Car batteries developed by ETI Tech (M) Sdn Bhd.
The A’Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah, Malaccan has a full range of recreation facilities including an exclusive 326-room hotel, golf course, water theme park, equestrian, clubhouse, fishing pond, archery, cycling and jogging paths, animal world Safari, swimming pool and health center.
The resort’s director Datik Kevin Lau said it has tested ETI’s green battery over the last 8 months and was pleased with its performance and lower operating costs.
“This is the first green golf cart battery that is lead-free and environmental friendly, developed and manufactured by a Malaysian company. We are proud to announce that our golf course is the first in Malaysia to switch to green battery,” Lau said.
A’Famosa Resort has more than 100 golf carts and all of these golf carts will be converted to use WTI’s Green Battery starting in August.
Lau said as a family oriented resort, it is essential to ensure that the resort is free from pollution and contaminants such as lead and toxic fumes released by lead acid batteries.
ETI Tech, a MSC-status company, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TEI Tech Corp Bhd, which is an investment holding company listed on the ACE market of Bursa Malaysia. ETI is principally involved in the research and development of intelligent battery management systems for rechargeable energy storage solutions using polymer lithium-ion based energy cells.
ETI Tech chief technology officer Y.K. Khor said the company completed development of GGC battery early last year. He said not only were GGC batteries smaller and lighter, they also deliver longer range than the lead batteries previously used by the resort.
SatSports GPS INTORDUCES THE POCKET CADDY
For golfers, no other golf GPS application offers as many features or as much mapping flexibility as Pocket Caddy. The applications “Flyover” feature presents a 2D and 3D flyover of the holes to give the golfer a realistic visual of the hole prior to teeing off. From anywhere on the course, Pocket Caddy gives live yardages to the front, middle and back of the green. Unlike most other golf GPS systems, Pocket Caddy defines the front as the nearest point to the live position, not nearest point to the tee. Additionally, the application provides yardages (or meters) to hazards which help with club selection.
Monitoring, recording and interpreting statistics is a critical component of golf and Pocket Caddy is an invaluable tool that will help golfers improve this aspect of their game. Pocket Caddy records critical information such as club used and lie of the ball during specific shots, fairways/greens hit, putts per hole and distance of each club. Once the golfer is finished with their round, they simply sync their Satsports GPS device to their computer and the Stats Viewer program catalogues the data. Stats Viewer also has an output to Google Earth so golfers can replay their round in 3D. This feature can be used to compare two rounds from the same or different players, instantly highlighting differences in play.
Pocket Caddy currently has over 700 golf courses available but with Pocket Caddy’s free online Pocket Caddy Membership, anyone can either download new golf courses or maps, or upload new golf courses to the database. With Pocket Caddy’s DIY Course Mapping software and Google Earth, members can easily map their local courses from the comfort of their home in about 20-40 minutes. Once a member has uploaded a new course, they will receive a credit that can be exchanged for a course that another member has mapped.
- Combines true real time interactive navigation for skiing, snowboarding, golfing, running and cycling enthusiasts
- PC software syncs GPS data with Google Earth to replay data in 3D
- Optional SD card turns device into a street navigator with voice commands
- High-quality components: 2.7″ touch screen, SiRF Star III antenna, Samsung 400Mhz processor & Micro SD card slot
For more information please visit www.satsportsgps.com
