MGMT 254 Business Communication Business Proposal – First Draft

Golf Operations Department

Letter of Transmittal

Don Booth Golf Attendant 32 Castle Down Drive Huntsville AL 35802 June 26, 2021 Mr. John Smith Director of Golf Operations Huntsville AL 35802 Dear Mr. Smith, Please review and consider the following business proposal designed to make positive changes to enhance the safety of golf operations at The Ledges. The proposal explains golf cart safety problems and a proposed solution to increase vehicle safety for approxi- mately $1000.00. If you have questions regarding this proposal, please contact me, don.alabama@hot- mail.com or by phone, 256-777-0000.

Sincerely, Don Booth

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Golf Operations BUSINESS PROPOSAL Prepared For: CREATED John Smith 06/16/2021 Director of Golf Operations 32 Castle Down Drive VALID UNTIL Huntsville, Al 35802 06/16/2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter of Transmittal Pg. 1 Title Page Pg. 2 Executive Summary Pg. 4 Background of Problem/Cart Safety Pg. 5

Figure 3.1 Pg. 5 Figure 3.2 Pg. 6 Figure 3.3. Pg. 7

Proposed Plan Pg. 8 Equipment & Budget Pg. 8, 9 Conclusion Pg. 9 References Pg. 10

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Executive Summary The Ledges Country Club is located two miles from the Jones Valley Shopping Center, on Cecil Ashburn Drive. Located in the expanding Southeast Huntsville area, this top two ranked 18-hole golf course in Alabama offers a challenging layout and beautiful mountain views. The property includes a pro shop, driving range, cart barn, mainte- nance buildings, and excellent country club amenities. The Ledges recently hosted the prestigious PGA Korn Ferry Tour, the developmental tour for professional golfers.

This business proposal describes improvements that will enhance the safety of golf op- erations. It specifically explains the safety issues currently associated with the process of golf cart vehicles. A small investment in the proposed changes outlined in this busi- ness plan will create a safer environment for golf members, guests, and employees. The Director of Golf Operations is encouraged to review and consider the operational improvements in the proposed plan. In my view, these positive changes will add value and safety while improving The Ledges' overall golf experience.

Background of Problem Three recent cart accidents involving golf attendants were due to backing carts blindly in addition to the blurred parking lines in the barn. One could decrease potential bodily in- jury or cart damage from driving vehicles by making a small investment to purchase and install rearview mirrors; additionally, restripe the cart barn parking lines. Cart Safety According to Technology Associate Engineering Experts, in the U.S., there are approxi- mately 15,000 golf cart-related accidents yearly that require emergency room treatment. The primary contributor of cart accidents is improper braking, cart rollover, or passenger ejection. Aggravating these common problems are golf carts' open design, lack of mir- rors, seatbelts, poor braking capabilities, and driving on uneven ground. Industry stand- ards prohibit golf vehicles from speeds more than the maximum speed of 15 mph; how- ever, rollovers and ejections still happen because of sharp turns, steep inclines, me- chanical breakdowns, and driver error. Additionally, most golf carts are equipped with only mechanical rear brakes, significantly reducing their stopping power (staff writer, n.d). Previous Accidents While riding through a golf course parking lot, the driver made a sudden left turn and was ejected from the vehicle, sustaining a severe head injury. An investigation deter- mined the driver turned sharply at maximum speed; the g forces were enough to unseat the driver. In addition, the cart manufacturer failed to provide safety handholds and the required golf cart American National Standards Institute (ANSI) warning labels.

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A golfer rolled over, traveling down a steep golf course path, when his cart accelerated uncontrollably. When the vehicle left the cart path, the driver fell out, and the cart top- pled on the driver. Safety engineers determined even properly functioning brakes could not have slowed the cart based on the degree of the incline. Additionally, the speed governor malfunctioned because the golf cart could not have turned over unless it reached speeds well over the design maximum set forth by the ANSI (staff writer, n.d.).

Figure 3.1

Golf Cart Turnover Accident

Could Mirrors have Prevented this Accident?

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Figure 3.2

Golf Carts with Mirrors Installed Prevent Accidents

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Figure 3.3

Proposed Installation of Universal Golf Cart Mirrors

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Proposed Plan My proposal recommends installing rearview mirrors on all golf carts and repainting the existing storage barn parking lines. Installing rear view mirrors would quickly solve sev- eral problems.

▪ Safety mirrors will provide drivers a clear line of sight that allows them to safely and efficiently back up without turning their head.

▪ The safety device will reduce the amount of time spent parking carts at closing. ▪ The possibility of injury will decrease to anyone standing behind a cart if a driver

fails to look behind them. ▪ Drivers will reduce tire damage by backing up over sharp borders with mirrors. ▪ Operators striking and damaging other closely parked carts will be alleviated.

My solution is to install a small universal lightweight golf cart mirror that integrates with our existing display monitors or attaches to the left canopy support rod and repaint all the current parking space lines in the cart storage barn. The labor involved to install uni- versal golf cart mirrors and repainting the parking space lines could easily be performed in-house by The Ledges employees. Provided are the following rearview mirror and re- stripping wand product information details for your review and consideration. Equipment and Budget Universal Moveland Mirror Specifications Amazon Price $ 10.99 ea. Plus Shipping According to the product description, the Moveland Universal Golf Cart Mirror fits all golf carts. This small, lightweight convex mirror is universal and will work on any golf cart. Locate the mirror in any spot you deem appropriate, with an easy mounting kit that comes with the purchase. Listed below are advantages of the Moveland Universal Golf Cart Mirror:

▪ The mirror will provide drivers excellent visibility and quality. ▪ It can fit on all golf carts and easily mount using two self-tapping screws. In addi-

tion, the high-impact plastic construction resists weather damage. ▪ A flat-bar mount with two small holes and two self-tapping machine screws will

secure the mirror to the front roof support. ▪ The mirror allows an excellent wide-angle field of view behind for driver visibility.

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Home Depot Rust-Oleum 8 oz. Flat White Inverted Striping Spray Paint Paint and Marking Wand Specifications PRICE $6.48 ea.

▪ The paint allows for fast dry striping paint for outdoor use and one-coat coverage. ▪ The spray in a can will work upside down and is easy to use in parking lots. ▪ The paint will mark and cover up to 400 square ft. per can with two-inch lines.

Home Depot Rust-Oleum Professional Marking Wand Model # 255640 PRICE $22.97 ea.

▪ The single-wheel striping tool will provide easy control and comfort. ▪ It will ensure quicker project completion with increased accuracy and ease. ▪ The easy-to-use sprayer will reduce finger fatigue during application.

Total Projected Costs The estimated project costs below are for the Ledges staff to install rearview mirrors on 55 golf carts and restripe parking lines (http://www.homedepot.com).

▪ Universal rearview mirrors - $11ea + $4 shipping ea. x 55 = $ 825.00 ▪ Rust-Oleum flat white striping paint $6.48 ea. x 20 = $ 129.00 ▪ Rust-Oleum professional marking wand $22.97 ea. = $ 22.97

$ 976.00 TOTAL Conclusion

The approval and implementation of this business proposal will provide a safer environ- ment for all golf cart operators. The rearview mirror permits you to see behind the cart without turning to look behind and enables a more alert driving experience. Driver's reg- ularly checking the rearview mirror can avoid potential obstacles and make timely ad- justments in advance. The mirror will be an excellent asset when parking in the back-up only cart storage barn. Additionally, restriping the parking spaces will give the driver clear visual lines to follow, reducing the chances of golf cart incidents. This inexpensive business proposal will be well worth the time, effort, and investment to improve the safety of golf operations. The Ledges Golf Operations will continue to grow and exceed other golf course competition with continuous improvements. The Director of Golf Operations' consideration of this proposal is appreciated.

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References Mirror Product Information. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Golf-Cart-Rear- Mirror-Yamaha/dp/B00FADRAI2 Guffey M. E., & Loewy D. (2018). Essentials of Business Communication. [Columbia College]. Retrieved from https://ccis.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781337670791/ Paint/Marking Wand Product Information. Retrieved from https://www.homedepot.com Staff Writer (n.d.), Golf Carts, Technology Associates Engineering Experts. Retrieved from http://www.technology-assoc.com/expertise/mechanical-engineering/product-liabil- ity/golfcart.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwqvyFBhB7EAER786eIrN7SXR6Ttd7TXwx1fxdO7NLXt PFtnrU3AvXf-kdAr1KarOHtXxBoCQ8QQAvD_BwE