A fire at Wapicada Golf Club in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota destroyed the club's entire golf car storage facility, wiping out every car inside and forcing General Manager Brad Deyak to replace the full fleet. During the remainder of the season, the club kept operations running by renting replacement cars from outside sources — a temporary fix that made the urgency of rebuilding clear.
Wapicada is now constructing a new garage near the first tee box on the same site as the original structure, but with meaningfully more room. According to Deyak, the replacement building will be approximately 30 feet larger than its predecessor and designed to house 80 new golf cars — 50 electric and 30 gas-powered models. The expanded facility will also provide dedicated storage for around 30 privately owned member vehicles.
The mixed fleet reflects a broader industry trend. Electric golf cars continue gaining ground due to quieter operation and lower maintenance demands, while gas-powered units remain practical for demanding terrain, operational flexibility, and busy tournament days. Wapicada's 50/30 split suggests the club is modernizing without abandoning the practicality that gas power still offers at many facilities.
The rebuild carries added weight given the club's role as a longtime gathering point for players in the St. Cloud area, and the timing matters: Minnesota's short golf season means courses face immediate pressure to be fully operational the moment spring arrives. While the fire forced a painful reset, the result — a larger building, a brand-new fleet, and expanded member storage — positions Wapicada in a stronger operational stance heading into the new season. This story was originally reported by Golf Car News.
