BOSTON- (Jan. 10, 2006) Stewart Golf USA, the new North America division of Stewart Golf Limited, the UK-based international company that has taken the remote caddie (motorized golf cart) to a new level of quality and design, has arrived on U.S. shores with the same tenet as its parent firm.
It believes in challenging the status quo.
Stewart Golf USA’s mindset is that it sells products comparable in quality on its level to the finest sports cars, like BMW and Jaguar. The remote caddies are sleek, powerful and so, so good. They are unlike any other remote caddie in the U.S. market.
That’s what happens when you think outside the box.
"We always try to start every idea with a blank sheet of paper," says Chip Anderson, President of Stewart Golf USA. "Whereas every other manufacturer uses metal tubes, we use composites. When all other products are discounting and becoming cheaper, we enter the market at the high-end of our competitors and subsequently plan to introduce premium versions."
But, at $1,995, they’re well worth the cost.
At Stewart Golf USA, as well as Stewart Golf Limited, you get what you pay for. It all starts with the X1R, a remote caddie made with the best materials available and crafted with experience and preciseness.
"Remote caddies have been sold in the U.S. market for the past several years, but the new X1R is positioned to become the best-in-class product and clear brand leader," says Anderson. "It intends to take advantage of the projected major demographic growth in senior golf and the attendant focus on related lifestyle and health and fitness products, as well as establish a new interest on the part of high end consumers.
"Design, styling and performance are more important to our customers than price alone," adds Anderson. "They can always find a cheaper solution."
The X1R is already getting recognized among an elite class of must-have products. GQ Magazine’s British Edition, in its December 2005 issue, ranked the X1R 35th on its annual list of "The 100 best things in the world." The X1R ranked ahead of such products as the Odyssey 2-ball putter (39th) and the Range Rover Sport (72nd).
"For the golfer who has everything, the Special Edition X1R is a remotely controlled caddie that looks after your clubs so that you can concentrate on swearing when you miss that straightforward three-foot putt," wrote the magazine.
But the only swearing you’ll do about the X1R is to swear how good it is.
First, there’s form. The X1R includes many features required by serious golfers. There’s purposely-designed places for balls and tees. The one-piece scorecard and pencil holder – which is removable — ensures that your card will remain dry and safe. An innovative gimbal mounted drink holder adjusts to fit long bottles and standard cans perfectly. There’s even places to hold sunglasses and towels.
Then, there’s function. As a fully remote controlled caddie that relies on extensive use of solid state electronics to provide extremely high reliability, the X1R gives you the on-course freedom of an impressive range more than 50 yards. The compact handset allows you to move the X1R forward, backward, faster, slower, left and right. The ‘off’ button cuts the power to the X1R’s powerful twin motors and slows the caddie to a gradual stop. The emergency brake brings the X1R to an immediate stop. No other powered cadde offers such freedom and flexibility. The X1R’s innovative cruise control system is an important first for the powered caddie industry. To top things off, the reliable solid state microprocessor driven electronics system has 65,000 unique codes, ensuring that no other handset will control your X1R.
And that’s not all. The X1R has many other features discerning golfers want. The integrated anti-tip wheel allows the remote caddie to negotiate hills with ease, while exclusive 5 spoke quick release rear wheels have high grip tires to reduce wheel spin and protect the course.
The high performance, 12-volt 30 Ah Sonnenschein battery supplies all the power and durability you need. In the unlikely event the battery runs out of power, the wheels have a ‘free-wheel’ position so that you can finish your round easily.
"It’s state of the art battery technology," says Anderson. "It will last at least 18 holes, and likely 27 holes or more under all conditions."
The X1R is complimented in Stewart Golf USA’s product line by the X1R SE (for Special Edition), an eye-catcher if ever there was one. Designed for the golfer who feels the X1R isn’t exclusive enough, the X1R SE – as an elite item — is the first product in the Stewart Golf line that can be specially customized to meet your needs and desires. By using a specially made multi-tone material, Stewart Golf can paint the X1R SE with something like a club’s colors – including its logo – or the colors of someone’s favorite high-powered sports car. They can even customize the X1R SE with the same wheels as that sports car. The possibilities are endless. With the X1R SE, a little imagination can go a long, long way. The price depends upon the degree of customization.
"Some customers just want something a little more special and exclusive," says Anderson. "The material is made for us and will not be used by anyone else in the golf industry. From a marketing viewpoint, it’s just another thing that differentiates us from our competitors. >From a sales viewpoint, it makes the X1R SE a great incentive item, holiday gift, or something out of the ordinary that’s guaranteed to garner loads of attention."
Both the X1R SE and X1R share similar mechanical components. At 26 pounds for the unit, the remote caddies fold easily and fit into virtually any car trunk. Most importantly, Stewart Golf is the only company in the powered caddie industry to offer a 3-year warranty (except on the battery, which has a 1-year warranty.)
"This is the best warranty for the best built product in the industry. Period," says Anderson.
While Stewart Golf is famous for its remote caddies, the company continues to offer excellent accessories in several other categories.
The Stewart Golf Tour Bag has a full bag shape that makes it extremely compatible with the X1R and X1R SE. The bag comes with a 9 -inch, 14-way fabric organizer and full-length fabric dividers. The top is divided into four levels to help keep the bag organized and golf clubs protected. The large rear pocket, which is accessible from both sides of the bag, has 10 other storage pockets, including a fur lined valuables pocket. The Tour Bag also features tee holders and a special-insulated bottle holder to keep drinks cool. The bag’s tough fabric is complemented by silver embroidery of the stylish Stewart Golf and X1 logos. A padded shoulder strap is available. MSRP is $200.
Stewart Golf USA’s umbrella has a wind resistant, 32-inch vented double canopy design to make it withstand blustery conditions. A lightweight 16mm fiberglass shaft and fiberglass ribs make the umbrella tough and durable. An ergonomically designed rubberized handle ensures that your grip stays firm even when your hands are wet. A spring adjustable tip cup helps store the umbrella neatly. MSRP is $50.
The tri-fold Stewart Golf towel is made from a luxury velour material and has a brass hook and grommet make it easy to fit on the remote caddies. MSRP is $15.
Products are only available on line at www.stewartgolfusa.com or by calling Stewart Golf USA direct at (877) STEWUSA. Delivery is usually in approximately one week. The company is not planning to sell its wares in any golf retailers, although they may become available through select course and club pro shops.
For more information on Stewart Golf, go to the company’s web site at http://www.stewartgolfusa.com or contact Chip Anderson, President of Stewart Golf USA via email at chip@stewartgolfusa.com or call the company at (877) STEWUSA.
Contact:
Mary Deatrick
(407) 332-5212
mdeatrick@cfl.rr.com
