Electric carts proposed for all POA golf courses

Electric golf carts are coming back to Bella Vista if the Property Owners Association Board of Directors agrees to a proposal made by Golf Operations Director Phillip Wright. Wright told the Joint Advisory Committee on Golf that he projects a savings of about $28,000 a year.

Fuel costs will go down with electric carts and so will maintenance costs, he said.

The POA leases 360 golf carts for the six golf courses. The switch was made to gas in 2014 because the price of the lease was less. Since then an above ground gas tank was installed near the Kingsdale cart barn, but at the other courses, carts have been filled from tanks in the maintenance areas.

All the courses have gas tanks in their maintenance area where mowers and other equipment is stored, Wright said after the meeting. The staff uses a trailer behind a cart to haul about 50 gallons of gas at a time and refill the carts.

Batteries for the new carts will be guaranteed to last 36 holes, Wright told the committee. If there’s a problem, the company will switch out the batteries. The guarantee is good for three years.

Because the gas carts make more noise, Wright said the electric carts will improve the golf experience.

Committee chairman Tom Stephens told the group that he’s still waiting on a team from the USGA to come and rate the Bella Vista golf courses, but he believes the work will be done this month. Five of the six courses have already been remeasured and handicaps will be adjusted using score cards from two of the large golf groups, he said.

Marketing Director Kim Carlson said her department has been working closely with the Golf Department.

Golf promotions will continue to focus on nonpeak times, committee member Susan Nuttall told the committee. A variety of specials and promotional prices are planned, she said.

Darryl Muldon, Golf Operations manager, told the committee that February was a good month with green fees over budget. So far, 286 annual green fees have been sold and he expects more when residents who winter in Florida return.

General Manager Tom Judson agreed, reporting that overall the POA is staying within its budget.

Muldon had the dates for the POA’s summer golf program for young people. There will be two sessions. One starts May 30 and concludes June 2. The next session begins Aug. 8 and ends Aug. 11. The Golf Department has more information on the program and can be reached at 479-855-5079.