Club Car & GMA announce record 5-year partnership agreement
Club Car, the world’s leading manufacturer of Golf and Lightweight Utility Vehicles, has recommitted to its partnership with Golf Management Australia (GMA) for a further five years.
“This ongoing relationship is central to our success here in Australia and we are focused on providing support to the education and development programmes provided by GMA to members around the country. We have extended our traditional three year agreement to five years to allow for longer term planning and greater consistency of support across the country,” said Club Car Vice President Kevin Gates.
“The opportunity for Club Car Channel Partners throughout Australia to engage locally with GMA members is an important component of strengthening our mutually beneficial relationships.”
Better positioned than ever
This has been an exciting and dynamic time for Club Car. After more than 25 years of Ingersoll Rand ownership, the company was acquired by Platinum Equity last April in a transaction of over $US1.7 Billion.
Under the new structure, Club Car operates independently as a standalone business and as Club Car’s Vice President of Global Product Management & Marketing Jeff Tyminski commented, “Club Car is now better positioned than ever to provide support to regional associations like GMA in locations all over the world. With more than 500 distribution outlets in more than 80 countries, thinking globally and acting locally is what we do every day. GMA is one of our most effective and valued relationships that we have as a company – we are thrilled to be playing our part for another five years.”
GMA CEO, Paul Vardy, commented, “I can’t speak highly enough of the relationship we have with Club Car and the support their people provide us. Kevin and the team at Club Car Channel Partners bring unique insights to the golf industry. They are also fully invested in developing and supporting GMA members to advance the golf industry through the outcomes of professional development. To have the opportunity of a new five-year agreement is a first for our association and a credit to Club Car’s long-term commitment to GMA.”
Long standing relationship
The relationship between Club Car and GMA stretches back well over 20 years. Prior to 1998, local distribution managed the relationships on a state by state basis.
With the arrival of locally based Club Car corporate management in Australia nearly 25 years ago, combined with the subsequent incorporation of the GMA national body, the transition to an agreement aligning the two organisations soon followed.
“We take on the responsibilities of being the Exclusive Golf Car Partner of GMA very seriously.” Kevin Gates added.
“Both organisations are committed to continuing to develop industry leaders and effectively trained golf club managers. We will invest in the careers of our customers for the next five years and beyond, building strong local relationships and brand loyalty as we go. Any long term partnership at this level needs to provide benefit to all parties – and we’ll work to ensure that continues well into the future.”
