Sunday, June 27, 2010

“Golf Carts Become Popular In Iowa's Small Towns” plus 3 more

“Golf Carts Become Popular In Iowa's Small Towns” plus 3 more

Golf Carts Become Popular In Iowa's Small Towns

Posted: 27 Jun 2010 07:35 AM PDT

FREDERIKA (AP) — Golf carts are making their way from the fairways to public roadways, with a little push from government and a lot from the motoring public's nascent attraction to battery-powered vehicles.

Local governments now are making it easier for residents to putt around in golf carts with new ordinances in place that open their streets to buggies that are powered either by battery packs or small gasoline engines.

That certainly works for Orville Duecker, a retired pharmacist and World War II veteran who uses a golf cart to run his errands around Frederika.

"I've been doing it for a couple of years," I guess, said Duecker, who has relied on a cart for health reasons. "I'd rather be able to walk."

It's becoming clear that many people wouldn't rather walk. And, they'd rather not drive their cars, either.

"It's everywhere around us," Craig Dunlap, owner of Dysart-based Young's Golf Cars Inc. said of the new trend in local transportation. "There's a lot of towns where you can now drive golf carts all over inside the city limits."

Indeed, small towns around the Cedar Valley are moving in that direction.

Dunlap said a visitor to Dysart can get a feel for the popularity of golf carts by dropping by the local cafe early most mornings or during the lunch hour.

"You'll see as many golf carts around as cars," Dunlap said.

The city of Reinbeck passed an ordinance last year allowing use of golf carts inside the city limits.

"We didn't have much usage last summer, but this year I think I have eight signed up," said Quentin Mayberry, city administrator in Reinbeck.

A permit is required, as are proof of insurance and a valid drivers license, Mayberry said, adding that carts have to carry a "Slow Moving Vehicle" warning sign and bright-orange warning flag. Drivers can't take carts on highways, which, in Reinbeck's case, precludes driving one to the local golf club.

Mayberry said Reinbeck's ordinance is inspired by Ely, near Cedar Rapids. But he also said Reinbeck was following the lead of other small towns whose residents see the practicality of running to the post office, the local grocery store or cafe without having to burn gasoline in the family car or truck.

"It's always brought up because of conservation," Mayberry said.

Dunlap, who has been selling golf carts for 25 years, said he had sold 160 carts so far this year. Full-year total sales at his dealership have been in the 250-270 range the last six or seven years, he said. He sells both electric and gas-powered carts, but the overwhelming majority are electric.

"I sell 4 to 1, electric to gas, for golf.

A cart can be had for as little as $1,000, although options — some have DVD players, custom wheels and even heaters — can push the price up to $8,000 or $9,000.

Tax credits for the electric-powered vehicles have been credited for having fueled sales, as buyers can earn a credit of 10 percent of the purchase price. Last year, the credit was 50 percent.

The surge that the small, electric-powered carts have enjoyed has led to the evolution of carts that are built primarily for transportation outside golf courses.

Rudy Busch, who has been selling carts at Denver-based Rudy's Sales & Service for 49 years, said he now sells "Neighborhood Electric Vehicles," in addition to standard golf carts.

"About 50 percent of what we sell were designed for golf but now are made for other uses," he said. "They use them for everything; they're made to run wherever you want to go. They're used to go to the store, the post office, on the farm and for transportation."

Visitors at the recent Two Cylinder Expo at the National Cattle Congress, were apt to see plenty of the little runabouts.

"They'll rent some for transportation there because people come in and are older and can't get around very well," Busch said. "It's not like a four-wheeler, which are made for one person and are dangerous. You can put a rear seat in the back and haul four to six people."

Of course, there's always an age-old use: golf.

"In Vinton, the course is in town, so a lot of people there drive their carts to the course," Dunlap said. "Dike is another place where a lot of people drive straight from garage to the course."

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Golf scramble fundraiser

Posted: 26 Jun 2010 11:28 PM PDT

Mountain news

A golf scramble fundraiser is set for July 10 at King's Mountain Golf Course. Proceeds benefit Sansom Chapel United Methodist Church.

The $45 per person fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, coffee, doughnuts and lunch.

First prize is a golf foursome at Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands; second prize is $150; and third prize is $100 for the team.

Advance deposits are required to hold a spot. Call 724-329-04264 for more information.

An indoor-outdoor flea market will be held Saturday at the Mountain Fellowship Center, Route 40, Markleysburg, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call Samantha at 724-329-0545 for information or reservations.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bontrager of Marklesyburg recently traveled to Ohio, where they visited an aunt, Amy Friend Caldwell Nickelson, for her 87th birthday on June 24. Her address is 1110 N. Market St., Galion, Ohio, 44833. She is a former Uniontown resident and was a teacher at Lafayette and Ben Franklin schools. Her daughter, Peg, and son-in-law, Jim Hoover, who also reside in Galion, celebrated their wedding anniversary June 15.

Phyllis VanSickle, wife of Ken VanSickle, minister of Meadow Run Community Church, will be a birthday celebrant July 19.

The Gospel Center Church Fellowship Hall, Main Street, Markleysburg, will be giving away shoes, clothing and toys from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Mountain citizen Action Group, Old Dinnerbell Road, Farmington, invites all senior citizens to join them for lunch, conversation and friendship each Thursday. Call the secretary at 724-329-4260 to make reservations.

Seniors who celebrated birthdays in June included Eleanor Burnworth, June 4; Steve Stupar and Margery "Toots" Liston, June 7; Joanne Weltz, June 9; Faye Humberston, June 12; Joanna Bontrager, June 22; and Paula Johnson, June 26.

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Golf tournament set to benefit Marion GOP

Posted: 27 Jun 2010 03:41 AM PDT

An invitational golf tournament will benefit the Marion County Republican Central Committee.

The tournament will start at 1 p.m. July 15 at McNary Golf Club, 155 McNary Estates Drive N, Keizer. Registration is $95 in advance or $125 at the door; go to marioncountygop.org. Registration covers lunch and an all-you-can-eat barbecue dinner, golf carts and 18 holes of golf. Information: Larry Sigurdson at (503) 559-9840.

Republican elected officials and candidates will be posted at selected tee-off spots and putting greens, and participants may use drivers or putters they may furnish.

A helicopter will drop 1,000 balls from the air, and if a ball comes closest to the hole without it dropping in, its owner will win $1,000. Participants buy chances at $5 apiece.

— Peter Wong

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Golf Tournaments

Posted: 27 Jun 2010 03:46 AM PDT

GOLF TOURNAMENTS

The Tabernacle Baptist Church will be hosting a tournament on July 13 at Ramblewood Country Club in Mount Laurel.

Cost per golfer is $125 and includes green fee, cart and awards luncheon. Cost for the luncheon is $60 per person and $100 per couple.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. The tournament begins under a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The luncheon will start at 12 p.m. For more information call (609) 386-4785.

 

The first Burlington City Football Alumni & Friends golf outing is scheduled for July 23 at Rancocas Golf Club. Shotgun start at noon. Individuals and foursomes welcome. Call 856-430-2573 or 856-905-6942.

The Willingboro High School Marching Band and honorary chairperson, Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, announce the first golf tournament to benefit the band. The event is scheduled for Aug. 12 at Rancocas Golf Club. Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Hole sponsorships and souvenir book ad spots available. Call band director Curtis Bell, (609) 835-8800, ext. 3045.

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