Because of the course's tough terrain, I personally prefer a gas-powered vehicle to an electric one. With all the hills and valleys on this course, an electric vehicle would have difficulty pulling two passengers and a light load of equipment. Mike Kelly, club manager of The Boulders Club in Carefree, AZ, said his club couldn't function without their fleet of utility vehicles. Right now we have about 140 passenger vehicles in service including the golf fleet. The Boulders Club is laid out horizontally rather than vertically with no parking near the guest rooms or 'casitas' as they're called.
Members travel by golf cart to and from their casitas which are spread out all over the golf course.
The vehicles get used extensively, and in many different applications around the club. Not too long ago, the club changed out the golf fleet which was 110 vehicles. We also purchased six or eight more to transport guests. David Nicholls is a golf course superintendent who, like virtually all others, relies heavily on light-duty utility vehicles to conduct his daily business. Nicholls works at Forest Hills Country Club in Chesterfield, MO, an upscale bedroom community about 30 minutes west of downtown St. Louis.