Family Driven
Anyone who has siblings has memories of doing things with them that resonate differently from doing things with friends and other people. In some rare cases, siblings choose to do business together, and the synergy works. That is exactly what happened in 1999, when the Gritten brothers began their business, Gritten Turf Company, later expanding into today’s GT Carts.
As Gritten Turf, Matt, Ben and Jason provided aerification
to golf courses, running the business out of their homes and storing their equipment in their grandfather’s old milking barn. After their grandpa’s passing and the sale of the farm, they purchased a building to store their equipment. In 2011, as a way to fund much-needed renovation to the building, the brothers refurbished a couple of golf carts and put them out by the road to sell.
They became an authorized E-Z-GO dealer in 2013 and opened as GT Carts. Today, GT Carts is one of the nation’s top E-Z-GO golf cart dealers, and it is still, well, grounded in its beginnings as Gritten Turf Company.
Since 2001, the Gritten Turf business has grown by word of mouth, and the list of customers ranges from golf courses and country clubs to athletic facilities, stadiums and NASCAR facilities.
Today, GT Carts sells, services and customizes golf carts at stores in Monticello, Cicero, Knox and Martinsville. The brothers choose to sell only American-made E-Z-GO carts; however, they do also service other American-made brands. They feel that the biggest key to their success is their employees. GT Carts boasts a talented team of knowledgeable, dedicated, customer-focused employees at all of their locations.
Recently named Midwest Region Dealer of the Year by E-Z-GO, GT Carts is consistently ranked in the top five in the nation for E-Z-GO golf cart sales, and currently, GT Carts is No. 2 in E-Z-GO sales nationally.
Matt notes that golf carts have “evolved dramatically in the last 10-15 years,” becoming a more mainstream mode of transportation beyond just the golf course. Today’s golf carts include more automotive features, such as touchscreen displays, geared toward efficiency, convenience and comfort.
GT Carts sells as many lithium battery-powered carts as gas-fueled carts. “The carts are built to last,” ensures Matt, “and you can’t go wrong with E-Z-GO.”
The company describes its locations as “destination dealerships,” which draw in customers who make the drive specifically to shop the extensive inventory and find just the right cart. “Customer service is our bread and butter,” says Matt, “and we stock a huge inventory to make sure we have what customers want.”
GT Carts is a full-service provider, selling new and used E-Z-GO carts, parts, service, customization and accessories. They also offer pickup and delivery. GT Carts is also an authorized dealer of Cushman Commercial vehicles, E-Z-GO’s sister company. Financing is available.
The three brothers make up the leadership of the business. While they collaborate on all major decisions, each holds a different role. Ben is the only brother who still travels with the aerification crew. You will find him around the stores when he isn’t on the road. Matt’s role is general manager, overseeing operations for all locations. Jason runs the flagship store in Monticello. The Cicero store opened second to Monticello in 2017. The Knox and Martinsville locations are new for this season.
This year, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, GT Carts is launching specials and new marketing around America’s semiquincentennial. These and other promotions, such as grand reopenings, will be listed on their website, gtcarts.com.
Looking to the future, Matt ensures, “We are going to continue to grow and keep our foot on the gas, doing the best job we know how to do to serve our customers.” When it comes to all things golf cart-related, make your way to GT Carts. Their motto is “behind the wheel, ahead of the curve” for good reason.
Visit GT Carts in Monticello at 1145 W. Broadway St., in Cicero at 7770 E. 236th St., in Knox at 3896 E. 275 South, or in Martinsville at 255 Robert Curry Drive.
Contact the locations at Monticello (574) 297-5637, Cicero (317) 606-8679, Knox (574) 207-2689, and Martinsville (765) 352-8156.
