IT'S been a challenging few months for most businesses in golf  - it seems everybody has been feeling the pinch.
Even the distributor of the world's leading manufactured fold cars, Club Car has faced some challenges.

So it's hardly surprising that Club Car has made some major changes to deal with the difficult economic times and also taken the opportunity to switch from one master distributor in Australia, to a matrix of four locally-focused and independent companies.
But when people notice names like Ian Baker-Finch, Steve and Rob Elkington and yes, possibly even Greg Norman either showing interest or even investing in Club Car Australia, then they will rest easy knowing that Club Car will continue to dominate golf car sales in this country. Even Club Car's Asia Pacific director, Kevin Gates is excited as the company sets up its new distributors around the different states.

Gates told Golfer Pacific that Club Car's new distribution policy now centred around utilising local people with local expertise and relationships to market and service their products.
"We've deliberately taken partnerships with companies where the man who owns the business is running the business", Gates said. "That makes us more responsive to the changing needs of the marketplace and also moved us closer to our customers."
Gates pointed out that it had now been five years since they launched the Precedent - a golf car platform that was new from the ground up.
"Along the way we've made constant refinements and improvements to the car; all driven by feedback from our customers," he said. "People who bought original original 2004 fleets from us and who have subsequently purchased second and third generation Precedent fleets are constantly reaffirming our belief in this product.
"The biggest enhancement in 2009 was the decision to equip Precedent with 6 x 8 volt batteries; the only premium model golf car on the market fitted with these batteries.

"The traditional strength and range of the 6 x 8 volt configuration is giving us greater range and durability." Still it is the new partnership that has Gates looking forward to their future;
"Golf is about relationships and we've selected some of the highest profile people and companies o represent us in Australia," he said. "In my 10 years at Club Car I can honestly say we have never been in a stronger position to exceed the expectations of our customers.
"Moving away from a one country/one distributor model has presented challenges at so many levels. We have  a large number of customers out there with fleets covered by pre-paid service contracts; contracts that our new partners were not legally bound to honour. Our existing customers are our most important asset and as a manufacturer I believe we have a responsibility to ensure they are taken care of.
"Club Car and our new partners have structured an agreement whereby we will honour all service agreements in place prior to the change of structure.
"This is a huge investment over four years, but one that we collectively felt should be the centre piece of our strategy."

"Our new guys are great."