Mid Florida Golf Cars Announces Merger with Virginia Golf Cars to Establish a Dominant Footprint on the East Coast

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Mid Florida Golf Cars Announces Merger with Virginia Golf Cars to Establish a Dominant Footprint on the East Coast

Together, the Combined Dealerships Will Have a Year-Round Fleet of More Than 2,500 Vehicles

Virginia Golf Cars, a 23-year-old family-owned golf car dealership in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has merged with a Florida-based dealership. The sale to Mid Florida Golf Cars closed on Dec. 5 and created a combined company with the country’s largest rental fleet.

The sale is a merger of talent and assets that allows Mid Florida Golf Cars to expand its footprint along the East Coast. By consolidating two fleets, the company’s Harrisonburg branch will bolster its inventory of rental golf cars during the busy summer months. Vehicles from Florida can be repositioned for northern events from April through September, which is typically the “off season” for events in the Sunshine State. Then from October through March, Harrisonburg-based golf cars will be relocated south so the Florida branches can serve even more customers.

“With this merger, overall utilization of the fleets will increase, so cars aren’t sitting dormant for a large part of the year,” said Tom Cannon, CEO of Mid Florida Golf Cars. “We’re lucky to have a fantastic team of sales, customer service, and technical professionals in Harrisonburg, all of whom are staying with us as we bring the two companies together. Jointly, we will field a fleet of more than 2,500 golf cars for events and business needs from Florida to Maine, and as far west as Ohio.”

Cannon said Chad Dunham, vice president of Virginia Golf Cars, will join the Mid Florida Golf Cars executive team and continue to manage operations in Harrisonburg. Chad and his parents, Ron and Jeanie, founded Virginia Golf Cars in 1994.

“I don’t think you could draw up a better scenario for two companies to merge,” Chad Dunham said. “Mid Florida Golf Cars brings so many benefits to our operation with their technology, processes, and industry relationships. Joining forces positions us for tremendous growth because our rental fleet is traditionally tapped out during the summer. I’m excited about the new opportunities and what they mean for our employees.”

Mid Florida Golf Cars got its start in 1988 when Darron and Bobby Sanders bought 10 used cars from a buddy. They sold those first 10 vehicles in a week, and then bought 10 more. It didn’t take long for the Sanders brothers to realize they were onto something good. They struck a deal with the regional manager for a major golf car manufacturer; rented some warehouse space – and they were in business.

After nearly 30 years of growth at retail locations throughout Florida, the company is expanding outside the state as part of Cannon’s business strategy, which centers on efficiencies and economies of scale. The founders say Cannon’s plan is the ideal solution for challenges faced by both organizations in what is historically a seasonal business.

“We’ve been looking at new business opportunities for years,” Bobby Sanders said. “But finding the right deal and executing the vision isn’t always easy. This deal with Virginia Golf Cars aligns perfectly with our goals. It’s rewarding to see the plan come together as we take this thing to the next level.”

But even though large-scale growth is impressive to the outside world, the Sanders brothers are most proud of the fact that their reputation is second to none.

“We built this business the old-fashioned way,” Darron Sanders said. “We did it by sticking with our core values of taking care of the customer, providing courteous service, and hiring team members who look and act professional. Business trends come and go, but those values never go out of style. No matter how much we grow, they will always be part of Mid Florida Golf Cars.”

About Mid Florida Golf Cars: Mid Florida Golf Cars (MFGC) is one of the oldest and largest golf car dealers and rental fleet providers in the United States. Family-owned since 1988, the company is based in Orlando, Florida, and has branches in Tampa, Jacksonville, and DeLand, Florida, and a branch in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which operates as Virginia Golf Cars. MFGC provides golf car sales and rentals to individuals, Fortune 100 companies, and all types of customers in between. It is an authorized dealer for EZ-GO, Club Car, Yamaha, Cushman, and Carryall.

Rent a Golf Cart to Make Your Next Event Amazing

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Let’s say your sister is getting married in a beautiful garden gazebo that is 100 yards from the parking area. It’s your responsibility to make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time. With that in mind, here’s a quick multiple-choice question:

How will the bride get from Point A to Point B without damaging her dress or breaking a sweat?

A) Ride a skateboard
B) Hitch a ride on a lawn tractor with the groundskeeper
C) Walk with Nana
D) Cruise comfortably in a rented golf cart

There’s a good chance A and B could go viral on YouTube and help you get a guest spot on late-night TV. But D is the way to go. Besides, Nana might cut you out of the will if you make her walk all that way on a hot day. So be sure to give her a ride, too.

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Whether you need a few golf carts for transporting guests and supplies at a wedding or hundreds of carts for a major event, Mid Florida Golf Cars can meet your needs. We have more than 1,700 vehicles in our Special Events and Rental department, which gives us one of the largest golf car fleets in the country. Options include four-, six-, and eight-passenger carts, as well as utility/cargo carts. There is no event too small or too large for us.

We have deployed over a thousand golf carts at a single event. With our fully staffed mobile command unit, distribution management system, and on-site repair center, we maximize uptime to ensure the ultimate event experience for your attendees and staff.

Here are a few of the events that can be even better when you take advantage of our golf cart rental program:

  • Race weekends
  • Sports tournaments
  • Weddings
  • Parties
  • Cooperate meetings and retreats
  • Fairs and carnivals
  • Family reunions

Our event specialists have experience in all facets of rental planning. They can help you select the right type of golf cart, the correct quantity, how long you need the carts on site, and whether or not you need our staffing services.

Not only do we provide golf cars for small and large events, but Mid Florida Golf Cars even rents to individuals. If you would like to rent a golf car for Halloween, for a community event, or just to drive around the neighborhood while enjoying a long holiday weekend, then we have a solution for you.

For more information, please fill out the form below or contact us at (888) 629-5989.

And then your next call should be to Nana. She would love to hear from you!

 

Golf Cart Rental

Golf Cart Service Options

No Trailer? No Problem. Here Are 2 Easy Options for Golf Car Service

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Golf Cart Service OptionsAt one time or another, you’ve probably had that dreaded experience when your car won’t start. The good news is that you usually have the option of calling for roadside assistance. And when the family SUV is dead in the driveway and you need to get somewhere in a hurry, you can call a friend, lean on a neighbor, or launch the Uber app on your phone.

But an out-of-commission golf car is a different story. The options are pretty limited. That’s why Mid Florida Golf Cars offers two easy ways to get you back in business as soon as possible:

On-Site Service

Our service technicians come to you in a self-contained repair truck. They even carry spare parts for all major golf car brands. We perform on-site repairs for both business and residential customers. This option is available whether you have a single golf car or an entire fleet. We reduce downtime by bringing full-service golf cart repair to your location. That’s a problem for commercial customers because downtime can mean lost revenue.

Transport Service

When on-site service isn’t the best solution, we can transport your golf car to one of our repair facilities. Our technicians in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa know the ins and outs of all major golf car brands. They are experts in servicing cars from E-Z-GO, Cushman, Club Car, and Yamaha.

We provide a detailed written estimate before proceeding with any work. No surprises or unexpected charges here. Once we have your approval, our techs complete the repair, and we deliver the golf car back to you.

Whether you need us to breathe life back into your golf car, or it’s due for regular maintenance, we have you covered. Click here to request service. One of our technicians will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Golf Car Buying Guide: Windshields

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While a golf car is a great way to get around, it’s not designed to protect you from the elements the way an automobile is. Most base models are open-air, which is great on a nice day, but not when it’s windy or rainy. However, if you want to be able to use your golf car in less-than-perfect weather, you might want to consider installing a windshield on the front.

Fortunately, there are several types of windshields available. Determining which one is best for you will be based on your driving conditions, preferences and budget. Here are a few choices to keep in mind:

Original manufacturer or after-market. You’ll have to decide if you’re willing to spend a little more to get an original manufacturer (or OEM) windshield, or if you want to save a little money with an after-market product. Naturally, because the OEM windshield is designed specifically for the manufacturer’s models, they fit perfectly and install fairly easily. That said, you can find cheaper options without giving up much quality from other companies. So if that’s your choice, be sure to do your research to make sure  you’re getting the quality you want.

Acrylic, polycarbonate, or both. Windshields for golf cars are usually made from acrylic or polycarbonate, or sometimes a blend of the two. Figuring out which one works best for you will depend mainly on your driving conditions. The main advantage of acrylic is that it withstands scratching better than polycarbonate. However, acrylic is more susceptible to cracking or breaking if it’s hit by a projectile, like a golf ball. This might also be a concern if you drive your golf car in a construction area or on gravel roads. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, can better withstand getting hit by something without cracking, but is more likely to get scratched. Over time, hundreds of tiny scratches can give the windshield a dull look and make it more difficult to see through. There are also some windshields that are made from a blend of acrylic and polycarbonate, so it’s more impact resistant than acrylic and more scratch resistant than polycarbonate.

Full window or hinged window. You might decide that, while you want to protect yourself from the elements, you’d like the option of opening it up on a nice day. If that sounds good, you’ll prefer a windshield designed as two pieces that folds down on a hinge to open the golf car up a little. When purchasing a fold-down windshield, look for one with hinges that are UV-protected. Over time, constant exposure to the sun can make the hinges brittle and they can start to crack and disintegrate if they aren’t protected.

As for installation, we can take care of that at Mid Florida Golf Cars for you. However, if you’re more of a do-it-yourselfer, this is probably something you can handle. Just make sure that you’ve purchased the correct installation kit and that you follow the instructions carefully. You might even want to go online and look up an instructional video on golf car windshield installation. Remember, you’re talking about a moving vehicle that will have to withstand some bouncing around. If you don’t install it correctly, the windshield might start to rattle loudly or even sustain some damage.

Protecting Your Car From Theft

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Face it… when you purchase a golf car, especially for residential use, you’re purchasing a luxury item that makes your life more convenient. That makes it an item that a lot of people want, which makes it a potential target for thieves. For many new golf car owners, it might seem unlikely that someone from inside your own community would stoop to do such a thing, and you may be right. But it only takes one person to turn an envious eye toward your prized possession. Either that, or someone from outside the neighborhood with sticky fingers.

 

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep your new golf car safe and secure when you’re not using it:

Keep it out of sight from the street. The best place to keep your golf car is in a locked garage when you’re not out riding it around. If you don’t have room in your garage, the best thing to do is make room. Move some things around and throw some away or donate some of it to charity. Look at it this way… what’s more valuable to you, your brand new golf car or that treadmill you haven’t used in over a year? If you still can’t find room in the garage, at least keep it behind your house where it can’t be easily seen. And if you won’t be using it for more than a few days, put a cover over it to reduce the temptation of thieves.

Use theft deterrents. There are a lot of products available specifically designed to prevent golf cars from being stolen. Ask your dealer about electronic theft deterrents powered by your golf car’s battery. There are even options that allow you to arm the device remotely with a key fob. Or, you could get a non-electronic device that locks the pedal so it can’t be used or locks the steering wheel in place and can only be removed with a separate key. There are also products that act like a boot, locking the wheel in place.

Have a new key cylinder installed. Many golf cars come from the factory with interchangeable keys, which means your key may not be the only one that will start it. Ask your dealer about installing a unique key switch to ensure that only your key will start the car. These can also be installed by a reputable golf car service shop.

 

If your golf car should be stolen, you’ll want to make sure that you give the police the best opportunity possible to catch the thief and return it to you. Make sure you have photos of the golf car from several different angles so you can provide them to the police. Also, keep your purchase paperwork in a safe place where you can get to them easily. These will have the model and serial numbers, which will help the police in their investigation.

News Release IMSA News Roundup:

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News Release IMSA News Roundup: February 10, 2016

Notebook Items Include Quick Start for Black Swan, MINI Shines in Super Bowl Ad, IMSA Adds Golf Car Provider, Schedule for Upcoming Sebring Test

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2016) – Coming up short by a mere 3.048 seconds in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Black Swan Racing is looking to carry that momentum into the remainder of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in a bid to capture GT Daytona (GTD) class honors.

Tim Pappas, Nicky Catsburg, Andy Pilgrim and Patrick Long took second in the new No. 540 Papent.com/Fine Arts Enterprises/Champion Porsche/Boston Athletic Club Porsche 911 GT3 R.

“Obviously, it’s hard to call the season after one race, but it’s certainly better to start the year off with a strong finish,” said Pappas, owner of the Boston-based team. “We didn’t get the win, but we’re happy with the points, and we’re real happy with the quality of the competition.”

Pappas won GTC titles in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón in 2010 and 2011, co-driving a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with Jeroen Bleekemolen. This year’s Rolex 24 was Pappas’ first since co-driving the No. 45 Flying Lizard Motorsports Audi in the race in 2014, and he experienced a new phenomenon in the 2016 rendition.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a race like Daytona before, where on every single lap of every single stint for all four of us was absolutely flat out,” Pappas said. “We didn’t have the opportunity to be conservative on fuel or any other strategy, because the performance of so many cars was so high.”

Now, Pappas is looking forward to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida on Saturday, March 19.

“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Sebring,” said Pappas, who won the GTC class in 2011 among several strong finishes. “I think it will be interesting to be into the season with the rest of our competitors and see where people stack up now that we’ve had a couple of months with the new cars. “Our goal is on winning the championship; we’re not going to get totally fixated on individual race wins. It’s going to be a real fight for the whole season, although I think everybody has a pretty strong feeling that this championship will come down to the last lap of the last race because it’s so competitive.”

IMSA Official Automotive Partner MINI Showcased In Popular Super Bowl Commercial

MINI John Cooper Works team owner Luis Perocarpi had a good reason for missing the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Speedway in January. Perocarpi took one of his race cars to Los Angeles for filming a commercial that was shown during Sunday’s Super Bowl 50.

The finished product, #DefyLabels, had sports celebrities including Serena Williams, Abby Wambach, Randy Johnson and Tony Hawk, plus two glimpses of the No. 73 MINI John Cooper Works race car.

“We’re getting a lot of buzz from our fans,” Perocarpi said. “It was pretty cool seeing our car on the commercial. MINI is real happy with what we’re doing, and MINI owners love it.”

The No. 73 car now carries an autograph from Hawk next to the drivers’ names, after the skateboarding legend signed the car during the filming. The drivers in the commercial were Robbie Davis and Michai Stephens, who both hope to drive for the team later this season in IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition.

IMSA Names Golf Car Provider

Mid Florida Golf Cars has been named a Proud Partner for IMSA, and will provide golf cars for use at all IMSA events. This continues the company’s strategic initiative to expand awareness of its products and services.

Already one of the largest and best established golf car providers in the U.S., the company expects the new partnership to increase awareness of its golf car sales and fleet rentals within key markets by building awareness among IMSA’s business partners and fans, who align closely with their target market.

“The IMSA fan base has, on average, high annual household income and their fans are very loyal to companies that support the sport,” said Mid Florida Golf Cars CEO Tom Cannon. “For an individual or family, a golf car is a luxury purchase, so we need to be in front of customers who understand the value and are willing to spend money on our products. Plus, IMSA has established partnerships with many well respected brands, so we are able to showcase our product to decision makers within those companies as well.”

IMSA Teams Set For Four-Day Sebring Test

Competitors in the WeatherTech Championship return to action on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 25-26, as part of the official four-day Sebring February Test at Sebring International Raceway. Three weeks later, they return to the historic circuit for the 64th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida.

The test opens on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 23-24, with testing for the Continental Tire Challenge, IMSA Mazda Prototype Lites Presented by Cooper Tire, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, and Ultra94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama.

Sessions will be held each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The test will be open to the public at $10 per day, or free to ticket holders for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. There will be no overnight camping.

End Quote: Chris Miller, Driver of the No. 85 JDC/Miller Motorsports ORECA FLM09, after winning the Prototype Challenge class in the Rolex 24:

“It was an incredible effort from the team, getting their first victory in such an historic event. We persevered. We had a couple moments when it could have gotten away from us, but we had the quickest car and were running the fastest laps most of the time. We were controlling the pace from midway through the finish, just trying not to make any mistakes.”

Contact:
Nate Siebens Senior Manager,
IMSA Communications
(386) 310-6568
nsiebens@imsa.com

Golf Car Buying Guide: Stereo Systems

Golf Car Buying Guide: Stereo Systems

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What to look for. What to look out for.

There are a lot of ways to upgrade a golf car and customize it to your needs. After all, the main reason to have one for your personal use is simply to have a comfortable and convenient way to get around your neighborhood. You might as well enjoy some of your favorite tunes when you’re behind the wheel.

There are plenty of ways to upgrade your golf car, depending on your preferences and the type of golf car you own. That said, when shopping for a stereo system, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, golf cars are sometimes exposed to the elements, especially rain and humidity. So it’s important to choose a system that can withstand a little moisture, similar to the equipment you might install on a boat. Second, if you have an electric golf car, you should pay attention to the amount of electricity the stereo draws from the battery and what the limits of your battery are. You would hate to install a new system and find out that it drastically cuts your battery life. If your golf car is gas powered, however, you obviously don’t have to worry about this.

“If you’re not experienced with doing these types of installations, it’s a good idea to see a professional,” said VP of Parts & Service Tom Bledsoe, who has been with Mid Florida Golf Cars since 1991. “Every now and then, I see someone who tried to do it themselves and ended up not being happy with the results, both in how the system sounded and how it looked.”

Here are a few important things to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a system:

Amplifier – This is the main component of your stereo system and its performance will largely determine how good the system sounds, so look for quality. You’ll also want to think about some of the options that are available. For example, if the amplifier is Bluetooth compatible, you won’t need to plug a wire from your MP3 player or smartphone into it. Also, you’ll see quite a few options in the control panel, so consider the driving conditions. A simple, intuitive layout is always better than one with too many buttons. Finally, as with any stereo system, the more wattage the amplifier has, the better it sounds. But more watts also means more of a draw on your battery, so you’ll need to find the right balance, or consider upgrading your battery, too.

Speakers – Quality speakers deliver quality sound, so this is not a good area to skimp. For a golf car, it’s a good idea that your speakers are also durable and can withstand the elements. Look for a speaker that uses rustproof hardware and sealed components. It’s also important that the speaker has some flexibility in how it’s mounted so that you can have them installed in the best location that works with your model of golf car. And if you want to show off a little flair, some speakers come with multi-color LED lighting and a highly stylized design!

Power Source – In addition to the amount of electricity your stereo requires, it’s also important to make sure that the electricity used by the stereo (and any other electrical accessories) is evenly drawn from your batteries. If it’s drawing off of just one or two batteries, it will run those down quickly, forcing the rest of your batteries to work harder, potentially leading to battery failure. Installing a voltage reducer or DC converter is a good idea if you plan to install a stereo system on your golf car.

Choosing the Best Golf Course Near You

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Whether you’re new to golf or you’re an avid golfer who has recently moved to a new area, you might be looking for a place to play and wondering how to make the best decision. Depending on where you live, there’s a good chance that you have plenty of options. In fact, in some warm-weather locations, you might find five or six golf courses within a ten-minute drive from your house.

The most important thing to remember is that, no matter how seriously you take your golf game, it should be fun. Every day you spend on a golf course should be the most enjoyable experience you can make it. So, for example, if you’re a beginner or have only been playing for a short time, look for courses with wider fairways, fewer hazards and more even greens. On a difficult course, you’ll spend a lot of time searching for your ball in the woods. Or, even more frustrating, watching a putt that barely misses the cup just keep rolling and rolling… right off the green!

On the other hand, if you’re a skilled golfer who’s been playing for a long time, you’ll probably find an easy course too boring to really enjoy. Every time you play, you yearn for a challenge! To the skilled golfer, standing at the tee box looking down a narrow corridor of a fairway with dense woods on both sides presents a test of your skills and you want to win! (You beginners will get there someday with enough practice.)

So how do you figure all this out?

  1. It’s simple… Play! Ask a few golfers in your area which courses they like and do some online research. Then, get out there and try a few courses. Eventually, most players settle into one that they consider their “home course,” and the best way to figure out which one you enjoy the most is to play as many of them as you can.
  1. Look closely at the amenities. Most clubs treat their course like a rock star, as they should. They want the grounds to be as beautiful and enjoyable as possible and so do you. However, pay attention to details like the condition of the cart paths. In the excitement of playing a new course, it’s easy to overlook a bumpy ride in the golf cart, but will it make playing there less enjoyable when you’re bouncing along that path every week? Are the golf cars well maintained and operating smoothly? Does the pro shop have everything you need and can you get a decent bite to eat at the restaurant? Sometimes, the little things make a big difference.
  1. Talk to other players. While you’re playing, don’t be shy about talking to other players in the clubhouse. And while you can ask them what they like or don’t like about the course, it’s also important to ask yourself if you genuinely like the people there and enjoy their company. If you do, that’s probably a good indication that you’ll enjoy playing there.
  1. Location. Is the course easy to get to? As you drive from your home to a new course, pay attention to traffic. If you have to drive past a huge shopping area and you like to play on Saturdays, will it be a pain to get to, especially around the holidays? Is there a lot of construction along your route, or are any new construction projects planned? Again, it’s easy to overlook this on your first visit to a course, but if you deal with it repeatedly, it might wear on you.

So get out there and explore the golf courses. And, most of all, enjoy yourself! Eventually, you’ll figure out where you like to play the most!

Electric Cars vs Gas powered Golf Cars

Golf Car Buying Guide: Electric vs. Gas

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There are plenty of things to consider when you buy a golf car, but two decisions seem to stress out buyers the most:

  • Selecting the power source
  • New vs. used

In this post we will tackle the first one. The bottom line in the electric vs. gas debate is that it’s all about choosing the type that best suits your needs. Let’s go over some points that will help you make the best decision for your particular situation:

The Good – Gas

  • Longer range: Depending on the engine, you can get between 100 and 200 miles out of one tank of gas
  • More powerful: This is especially important if you plan on using the car off-road, for hunting, on a farm, etc.
  • No charging required: Just fill the tank, and off you go.

The Bad – Gas

  • Maintenance: Gas golf cars require tune-ups, oil changes, exhaust and muffler service, and all the other maintenance that goes along with an internal combustion engine.
  • More systems and moving parts mean more things can go wrong.
  • Repairs are more costly
  • Difficult to run at slow speeds

The Good: – Electric

  • Quiet
  • Smoother starts
  • Not as much maintenance
  • Fewer moving parts means fewer things can go wrong
  • Acceptable for indoor use

The Bad – Electric

  • Shorter range: A properly maintained set of batteries will take you about 20 miles
  • Needs electrical outlet to re-charge
  • Batteries must be replaced every 4 to 6 years

Think about where and how you plan on using your golf car, and let those requirements guide your decision. Talk to friends and neighbors who own golf cars, and get their recommendations. Then visit a dealership and get some professional input before making your final decision.