Club Car Precedent sets new standard for golf cars

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Club Car's introduction of the 2004 Precedent represents not only the most significant product introduction in the company's history, but also the most dramatic transformation of the golf car since three wheels and a tiller gave way to the modern electric golf carmore than 30 years ago.

Precedent sets a new standard for performance, styling and comfort in a golf car that has almost as much in common with the family automobile as it does anything that ever transported golfers down a fairway.

"We asked golf professionals, course owners and all types of golfers, as well as ourselves, what we should do to make a quantum leap in golf car design andperformance," said Phil Tralies, president and CEO of Club Car. "Five yearslater, Precedent is the answer.

The 2004 Precedent is now in full production at Club Car's headquarters plant,which has been transformed with a new multi-million dollar production linefocused on ensuring consistent quality and reliability.

The immediate difference most people will notice between Precedent and previousmodels is its styling. The car has a rounded front cowl that gives it anupdated look and invites the first comparisons to an automobile.

Golfers will appreciate Precedent's long list of amenities and improvements thatmakes their ride more comfortable and enhances the golf experience. Developedusing ergonomic software, Club Car's Ergo Seat features added back support and acontoured seat bottom for comfort. There's also more room between the steeringwheel and the armrest to make it easier to enter and exit the driver's seat.

Other enhancements include the Monsoon Topä, the first golf car canopy with abuilt-in drainage system that eliminates standing water that can spill ontoplayers and into golf bags and sweater baskets. The unique design, whichchannels water off the top through the rear supports, is capable of handling 12inches of rain an hour. The car's bag well has been engineered to provide moreroom for two full-size golf bags and to hold them more securely.

FlexiDrinkä two-tiered cup holders provide a snug fit for all kinds of beverage containers.Because of the aluminum frame and reduced battery weight, the Precedent is evenlighter than the DS model, which until now has been the lightest golf car in theindustry. The weight difference - combined with steering and suspensionenhancements in a feature called SportDriveä - gives golfers an unparalleleddriving experience: more nimble with improved accelerating, turning, climbingand braking ability.

The development process started with input gathered from customer surveys andfocus groups representing more than 700 golf courses. Once prototypes weredeveloped, testing began and continued for four years at facilities in Detroitand at Club Car's nine-acre test track here to simulate all kinds of golf courseconditions.

More than 600 Precedent cars were sent to a number of golf coursesand distributors throughout the U.S. beginning in early 2003 for testing underdifferent geographic and playing conditions. Feedback from course owners andmanagers, golf pros, superintendents and technicians helped Club Car fine tunePrecedent.

Brady Godfrey, head professional at Harbor Hills in Lady Lake, Fla., said: "It'slike comparing a Mercedes to a Yugo. It just glides. You go over bumps andrough terrain and you don't feel a thing.

Guy Wimberly, head professional at Arroyo del Oso in Albuquerque, said golfersimmediately liked Precedent's updated look and began asking for one of the newcars when they checked in. He now considers the Precedent fleet a competitiveadvantage.

"This car has brought us some business. Our overall business is down this year, but cart fees are up 7 percent.

Precedent is offered in two models: the Professional and the Champion. Themodels are distinguished by different option packages and have different pricepoints, similar to the way automobiles are marketed.

Club Car, Inc. provides fleet, turf, hospitality and financing solutions forgolf, agricultural, recreational and industrial markets. Based in Augusta, Ga., ClubCar is part of worldwide Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE: IR).

January 27, 2004