PSC, INC INTRODUCES NEW MOUNTING SOLUTION
PSC, Inc has introduced a new mounting for both their fan and heater which requires no tools, and now features a single wing nut to change. Both the fan and heater have detachable plugs. They have a new location now by utilizing a cup holder adapter. This puts the air flow out to the middle of the dash, which the majority of golf car owners perfer. The same cup holder mount works for both the heater and fan and only take minute to change from one to the other.
The PSC 36 or 48 volt heater has two ranges and is 1,000 watts (3,412 BTU’s) which is twice the heat of most other heaters. Their model 1200 fan is 2 speed, and 12 volts. The fan is normally used for large trucks. If puts out 4 to 10 times CFM air flow more than other golf car fans. For cars that have 8 volt batteries, PSC offer and inexpensive ($5.00) 4 volt reducer.
For more information about the PSC product line, please visist www.golfcartheaters.biz.
CUSHMAN INTRODUCES NEW REFRESHER FS2 FOOD & BEVERAGE VEHICLE
Cushman is pleased to introduce the Refresher® FS2™, an exciting new revenue-producing addition to its Refresher food and beverage line. “There is no other product in the golf industry today with the revenue-generating power of the Refresher FS2,” said Michael R. Parkhurst, vice president, golf for E-Z-GO, which designs and manufactures Cushman vehicles. “The customizable and modular design of the Refresher FS2 combines the clubhouse, pro shop and grill into a mobile storefront that will promote sales and increase a golf club’s profitability, both on the course and for special events.”
FlexServe Technology was developed exclusively for Cushman by 19th Hole, a leader in the design and manufacture of food-and-beverage units for golf vehicles. The customizable, modular, multi-purpose design of the Refresher FS2 with FlexServe Technology features 100 percent accessible storage, 40 percent more merchandising capacity and 14 cubic feet of dry storage space.
Industry-firsts of the Refresher FS2 include a highly versatile end cap with reversible insert for serving morning coffee or afternoon drinks, and a 10-square-foot, wrap-around counter with plenty of space for preparation of drinks and meals, and for staging and exchanging merchandise. The counter is made of durable material that withstands the weather as well as daily trips on the fairways.
Beneath the hood, the Refresher FS2’s 13.5 hp, 401cc Kawasaki® engine generates plenty of power and torque to traverse steep paths. An optional limited-slip differential greatly improves traction on wet or loose terrain, while helping to protect turf from damage due to wheel slippage. A new heavy-duty suspension keeps the Refresher FS2 ride smooth and comfortable throughout the long days on the course.
For more information about Cushman’s complete line of turf utility vehicles, Shuttle personnel carriers and Refresher food and beverage vehicles, visit www.cushman.com or join Cushman’s Facebook community. More information is available at www.textron.com.
GCSAA ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE CHANGE TO FEBRUARY 2014 INDUSTRY GATHERING IN ORLANDO
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has announced slight schedule alterations to various events associated with its annual education conference and industry trade show set for February 2014 in Orlando.
The GCSAA Education Conference will be at the Orange County Convention Center, Monday through Thursday, Feb. 3-6. The trade show will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5-6, at the same venue. Unlike in recent years, there will be no activities on Friday in 2014. The USGA session moves to 8-10 a.m. Thursday, prior to the start of the second day of the trade show, and will become the General Session.
In addition, to alleviate the amount of overlap between the GCSAA Golf Championships and the education conference, the golf tournament dates have been shifted back one day from last year. The four-ball competition will be Saturday, Feb. 1, with the fun event (shamble format) being held Sunday, Feb. 2. The GCSAA National Championship and the GCSAA Golf Classic will be held Sunday through Monday, Feb. 2-3. All the golf events will be at Orlando-area golf facilities.
“The focus will remain on keeping the agenda as condensed as possible to minimize expense and time away for both attendees and exhibitors,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Our post-event surveys indicate that our efforts to shorten the week were seen as a positive, but there were a few instances where conflicts were created. We have shared the new schedule with some of our committees, and the response has been good.”
A working schedule of events is now available on the conference website – http://www.gcsaa.org/conference, with additional information added as it becomes available.
Housing reservations will open Aug. 6, and GCSAA member registration for the golf tournament, conference and trade show opens in early November.
Find GCSAA on Facebook, follow GCSAA on Twitter, and visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
NEW CLASS OF VEHICLE BEGS THE QUESTION “Are you Driving a Golf Car or an LSV?”
Once upon a time, a golf car was a golf car. Period. “But that’s no longer true,” says Mary A. Sicard, director of consumer marketing at Club Car.
Although the term “golf car” is still commonly used to refer to many types of vehicles, legally speaking a golf car is a vehicle used on golf courses for the game of golf. The speed of these vehicles is limited to 15 mph or less.
“When golf cars are used off course, they are classified as Personal Transport Vehicles, or PTVs. PTVs can be gasoline or electric-powered with a maximum speed of less than 20 mph. They may be driven on public roads as defined by state and local laws for purposes unrelated to golf,” Sicard says. Neither golf cars nor PTVs are classified as motor vehicles under federal law and neither are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but by state and local governments.
Enter the Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)
But a new class of street-legal vehicle known as low speed vehicles (LSVs) is classified as a motor vehicle and regulated by the NHTSA. These zero-emissions cars can reach speeds of between 20-25 mph. They can be driven on roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less in most states. They must have certain safety equipment, be registered and insured, and can be driven only by licensed drivers.
Here’s why that’s causing some confustion. Original manufacturers of golf cars keep the maximum speed below 15 mph. Yet owners sometimes have their vehicles modified to increase the speed when they want to use a golf car as a PTV. This can have legal ramifications. If a golf car is modified to go 20–25 mph, it becomes by definition an LSV and is subject to NHTSA regulations. “In effect, many people are driving an LSV when they think they are driving a golf car,” Sicard says. “That can leave them open to liability and litigation, especially in the event of an accident.”
Take it Slow with Speed Upgrades
Independent shops and mechanics often offer speed upgrades, but they don’t always understand or explain the ramifications.
Some suppliers market gear-set upgrade options. But these products are difficult to install, reduce torque and impair hill-climbing ability. They also void the warranty and may increase the risks of accidents. “If you want to upgrade the speed of your golf car, make sure you keep it under 20 mph,” Sicard says.
Accelerate With the Xcelerator™
“To safely meet the needs of people who want to upgrade speed without sacrificing performance or voiding the warranty, Club Car offers an affordable 19-mph upgrade for its gasoline golf cars. Known as the Xcelerator, it is the only factory-authorized upgrade for Club Car golf cars on the market,” says Sicard.
The Xcelerator can be installed on new or existing gasoline golf cars. The all-inclusive kit feature a drive clutch, driven clutch, CVT belt, accelerator cable and associated hardware.
These kits are sold only through Authorized Club Car Dealers. To find a dealer near you, visit www.clubcar.com and select “Dealer Locator.
SUPERINTENDENTS JOIN THE PROS AT THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC PRO-AM
Winning team represents US and Australia
Leading up to the John Deere Classic, PGA Tour professionals once again joined golf course superintendents and general managers for a round at TPC Deere Run. The Pro-Am, hosted by John Deere Golf, included 28 teams from around the world.
Winning bragging rights this year was a team lead by PGA Tour Pro Grand Waite. Grant’s team included Jason Manfull of Crow Valley Golf Club, Davenport, Iowa; Ben Tilley of Headland Golf Club, Queensland, Australia along with Rich Hohman, president, Kitson and Partners Clubs of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Rob Jeske, general manager, Corporate Business Division, John Deere Agriculture and Turf Division. The team finished with a net score of 54 winning after a card-back tie.
MERCEDES-BENZ ROLLS OUT RENDERING FOR NEW GOLF CAR, THE VISION GOLF CART
Golfers could soon be cruising the links in luxury.
During the British Open, Mercedes Benz released sketches of the “Vision Golf Cart,” a new, futuristic concept golf cart that brings the luxury factor in golf to a higher level.
Based on the sketches, it’s clear that the golf cart may even have features that a regular vehicle doesn’t have.
The cart is driven with a central joystick that allows people on either side to drive, and is powered by solar panels on the roof.
Among the tech gadgets included in the cart are; a state-of-the art media system accompanied by touch screen monitors, and a multimedia panel with a rotatable docking station for an iPad or iPhone, which also allows duffers to communicate with other golf carts and the clubhouse.
Heck, it even includes an “air scarf” in the seat which blows hot air on golfers’ necks in case anyone gets chilly while playing a round as well as a “Fore” button — which may, or may not, sound like Siri — which quickly warns other players on the course of a misplaced shot.
The project was overseen by Mercedes-Benz’s head of design, Gordon Wagener, along with the help of eager golf fans and car enthusiasts who submitted their ideas to the car maker regarding the amenities they think should be put in the one-of-a-kind golf cart.
The golf fans that submitted the winning ideas were awarded VIP invitations to the Open Championship in Guilane, Scotland.
Wagener said the design fits in well with the Mercedes “Sensual-Purity” design philosophy. While only a concept, there is no word on whether Mercedes-Benz may follow through with the design, further teasing anyone who may want to try the cart out in the future.
While many thought that Bubba Watson’s hover cart may have been a step above the beat-up carts at your local course, the new Mercedes concept may raise the bar when it comes to the uniqueness of golf carts on the course.
