Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 8, 2022 – A different kind of “green” kept fans moving around the 2022 PGA TimberTech Championship sustainably, safely, and in style. Guests at this year’s event received free rides in a GEM. Waev Inc., the electric mobility provider of GEM vehicles, teamed up with EFO Ventures’ LEAP Mobility, a bike-share rental and e-scooter provider shaping the future of micro-mobility via customized platforms, to offer free, safe, eco-friendly rides at the PGA tournament in Boca Raton, FL, October 31-Nov. 6. The “Official Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) partner” for the TimberTech Championship, Waev provided seven GEM electric vehicles to shuttle guests in style while promoting safety and sustainability.
“We are thrilled to partner with EFO Ventures to provide eco-friendly rides to guests at the PGA’s TimberTech Championship and to showcase what GEM has to offer,” said Keith Simon, Waev Inc. CEO. “GEMs are designed for safety, style, and comfort while being 100 percent emissions-free. Additionally, their small footprint and low speed allow them to move efficiently through crowded spaces and narrow pathways, while individual high-back seats and seatbelts make them a safe and comfortable ride for passengers around courses and communities alike.”
Setting Sustainability as a Priority
While the golfers last week focused on the course green, event organizers focused on green technology. Sustainability has been a priority for the TimberTech Championship. It’s the first tournament in PGA TOUR Champions History to become a zero-waste-to-landfill event in 2021. Partnering with GEM and LEAP provided the opportunity to expand on sustainability efforts this year. Not to mention premium shuttle experiences for golfers and guests that were cost-effective to operate and easy to charge.
“The emphasis on sustainability by the team at the TimberTech Championship should be both applauded and recognized as an example of an industry leader focused on initiatives that impact the communities where we live, work, and play,” said Sean Flood, managing partner of EFO Ventures, parent company to LEAP Mobility. ”LEAP is on a mission for change towards a sustainable future. We’re excited about our partnership with a leading organization like Waev whose perspective on safety, mobility, and environmental awareness aligns with our purpose.”
TimberTech Championship
The semi-final event in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, the TimberTech Championship is the longest-running professional tournament in Palm Beach County, taking place on the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club golf course, with the City of Boca Raton being a major sponsor of the annual event. The tournament hosted the top 54 players on the PGA TOUR Champions this year. That’s with proceeds benefiting the Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
Three GEM e6 vehicles, which seat up to 6, were on-site during the TimberTech Championship. That’s in addition to four GEM e4 vehicles, which seat up to 4. They were providing multiple ride options, shuttle efficiency, comfort, and ease guests have come to expect from the elite tournament. Vehicle drivers were provided by the PGA and EFO Ventures. And guests were able to hail a ride by downloading the LEAP App, through the LEAP website. Plus, downlowing through the GEM website. E-scooters were also provided as a transportation option to guests, courtesy of LEAP.
With roots in campus, community, and urban mobility, GEM is the leader in low-speed vehicles (LSV). It has been shuttling people and goods for more than 20 years. GEMs are engineered to exceed LSV federal safety standards and travel at a maximum speed of 25 mph. Moreover, unlike golf carts, they are street-legal on most roads at 35 mph or less. Forward-facing, they can comfortably seat up to six. They also have safety features such as seatbelts, a rear-view mirror, and turn signals.