By Louise Bolger
sun staff writer

Everyone loves golf carts, even those of us who don’t have a clue what a five iron looks like. In fact, I think the popularity of Florida golf carts has less to do with golf and more to do with recapturing our inner child. If you’re tired of carrying your golf clubs, or just want to pretend you a kid again, I know just the place that can help you out.

Walking in the door at Golf Cart Mart is like walking into the showroom of a car dealership. Rows of shiny golf carts are lined up in a variety of sizes and colors, and you’ll probably want every one of them.

Greg Wakeman and Michael Arkin opened Golf Cart Mart in July of last year to provide not only sales of pre-owned quality golf carts, but also servicing and customizing. The partners met while driving tractor trailers after retiring from previous careers, Wakeman as a firefighter and Arkin as a marine mechanic. They decided to combine their interest and ability in mechanics and desire to own their own business.

Located on 15th Street East off 53rd Avenue (State Road 70), Golf Cart Mart is convenient to both the barrier islands and the golf course communities. Their customer base consists of sales and service to individual golf cart owners and commercial accounts.

Wakeman and Arkin set themselves apart by providing dependable and expeditious service. Usually they can diagnosis and make repairs overnight and provide a pickup and delivery service. For their commercial accounts, they can also arrange for a loaner cart until the repairs are completed.

And if you want your golf cart to look like your first 1952 Chevy or have special requests or detailing, Golf Cart Mart can accommodate. The neat as a pin workshop also has an impressive inventory of parts to help get your golf cart running like new.

Golf carts have become an import mode of transportation in Florida’s mild climate. Providing a long life (over 10 years), low maintenance and rapid recharging (generally overnight), golf carts are now used not only on golf courses, but also as transportation around private communities and on some public roads

Visit Greg Wakeman and Michael Arkin at the Golf Cart Mart. They’ll find you the golf cart of your dreams, and keep it running smoothly.