Put-in-Bay Rentals

The History Of Put-in-Bay Rentals & Golf Carts

It’s uncertain for sure the date the first golf cart arrived at Put-in-Bay, Ohio, but circa 1971, Ralph & Joan Zickafoose started the first commercially ran Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals store on the Lake Erie islands. Their rentals consisted of about 18 Yamaha Golf Carts with no frills such as roofs or lighting and over 200 Schwinn Bicycles.

 The Put-in-Bay rentals were located on a gravel & dirt lot in the middle of downtown Put-in-Bay. They rented their golf carts from 10 AM to 6 PM every day, along with over 200 Schwinn bikes. Those who vacationed at Put-in-Bay in the ’70s may recall the old blue lean-to building that occupied the property where today’s popular Edgewater Hotel is located.

 Shortly after that, the State Of Ohio authorized the licensing of Golf Carts for “Island Use Only” at Put-in-Bay and Kellys Island, also found in Lake Erie. Soon at Put-in-Bay, several other businesses began to operate, including one at each of the Ferry docks serving Put-in-Bay. Most purchased electric golf carts for rent but soon learned that the electric golf cart was impractical for use as a vehicle due to the batteries wearing down quickly.

 Chan Stevens was one of the first to proffer gas-powered golf carts for rent at his Bay Carts establishment in downtown Put-in-Bay, and his son was the first to rent Mopeds at Put-in-Bay, Ohio.

 In 1996 Mark Mathys, a cutting-edge forward-thinking businessman, bought Ralph & Joan Zickafoose’s operation when they retired and resettled to Florida. The following year he began building the Edgewater Hotel, which became one of the first modern Put-in-Bay Hotels with private baths located on the main strip of downtown.

Mathys kept the golf cart rental and grew it to over 400 golf cart rentals. Put-in-Bay Golf Carts was the first golf cart rental to pioneer overnight golf cart rental with modern gas-powered golf carts that included headlights, seat belts, taillights, and modern safety features. People who could not find the preferred downtown lodging were often stuck at the Put In Bay Island Club Rentals, and the golf carts were a handy way to avoid waiting for taxi cabs. As a few more Put In Bay Home Rentals were opened, more and more people rated carts for their Put-in-Bay Vacation Rentals. 

1. • Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rentals Grow In Size

As the number of Put-in-Bay Rentals grew, so did the size of golf carts. From 2 passenger carts came the proliferation of rear seats to many carts, which increased seating to 4 people. Soon after that, Mathys introduced stretch carts, seating 6 and 8 people began to emerge at Put-in-Bay and were an ideal fit for families to enjoy. Windshields and even enclosures became popular.

 As the popularity of golf cart rentals increased, many Put-in-Bay Locals were soon seen driving highly custom versions that featured modern stereo systems, customized paint schemes and seats, lift kits, and fancy wheels. Today, golf cart rentals are quieter, smoother, and the safest they have ever been and are one of the most widespread ways to see the Put-in-Bay Attractions at your own pace. Many neighborhoods have embraced Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Rental practices and policies to permit operation in other regions of Ohio and the United States.