The Columbus Municipal Golf Board plans to purchase 60 news golf carts for the Columbus, Neb., golf course with $255,000 budgeted for the plan. The city also plans to begin designing a cart shed for the golf course this winter, which will need to include either electrical hookups or a new gasoline storage tank.

The Columbus (Neb.) Municipal Golf Board must decide between gas or electric before a plan to upgrade the motorized cart fleet at Quail Run Golf Course can be implemented, the Columbus (Neb.) Telegram reported.

The city has $255,000 budgeted to purchase 60 new golf carts over the next three fiscal years, the Telegram reported.

The city currently owns 50 electric models—40 for Quail Run and 10 for Van Berg Park—but 20 gas-powered carts are rented and stored at Quail, the larger, 18-hole golf course, the Telegram reported.

Board member Diane Oppliger likes electric carts because they’re quieter on the course. Golf Pro Doug Dunbar said electric carts are easier to maintain, but gas versions are more convenient for staff members, the Telegram reported.

The less expensive option would be electric carts, according to figures presented by Golf Course Superintendent Larry Hergott. He estimates the fuel costs for 60 gas-powered carts—using five gallons per week each during the golf season—would be $157,500 over a five-year period. It would cost $73,200 for electricity, batteries and chargers over the same amount of time, according to Hergott.

Manufacturers put the cost of operation at $8 per week for electric carts compared to $20 for gas, the Telegram reported.

Board member Fred Chittenden, who suggested requesting bids for both models to compare purchase prices, also preferred electric carts because of the lower operational expenses and less-complicated maintenance. Because Quail Run doesn’t have large hills, Chittenden said golfers don’t need the extra power provided by gas carts to navigate the course, the Telegram reported.

There is one variable in the golf cart decision that remains unknown. The city plans to begin designing a cart shed for Quail Run this winter and the plan will need to include either electrical hookups or a new gasoline storage tank closer to the clubhouse. Public Property Director Doug Moore said the difference in these costs hasn’t been figured, the Telegram reported.

The city budget includes $50,000 annually in fiscal years 2011-12 through 2014-15 for the approximately $250,000 cart shed project, the Telegram reported.

The golf board plans to hold its October meeting at Quail Run so members can try out golf carts brought in by a dealer and begin discussing where a storage shed could be built on the property, the Telegram reported.

A final decision on whether to pursue electric or gas carts should be made in time for the first 20-cart shipment to arrive next spring. The old golf carts will be traded in, moved to Van Berg or sold at an auction, the Telegram reported.

C&RB reported on golf car restrictions at Quail Run, its recent boost in rounds, and the successful employment of coyote decoys.