Motion Fitness – a division of Pro Range (Pty) Ltd
Pro Range (Pty) Ltd was established in 1996 by a group of entrepreneurs with the principal goal of establishing and operating premier golf driving ranges in South Africa.
By the end of 1997 Pro Range, in association with its naming rights partners (Bell’s, Telkom and Vodacom) had successfully established 7 driving ranges situated in Gauteng (Gillooly’s, Centurion, and Randpark), the Western Cape (Tygervalley, Somerset West, Wynberg, and George).
In 1999, Pro Range became a subsidiary of Southern African Investments Limited (SAIL), a JSE listed Company recognised as South Africa’s premier Sports Brand business.
By the end of 2001, Pro Range had invested over R50 million into hard golfing assets which included property, buildings for clubhouses (incorporating retail golf equipment and food & beverage tenants), new driving fairways, practice and target greens and customised tee boxes. This was a sizeable investment, indicating Pro Range’s commitment to the promotion and future growth of golf in South Africa.
In May 2005 Pro Range signed a 5 year naming rights agreement with Vodacom, granting Vodacom exclusive naming rights to all Pro Range facilities whereby all ranges would be called ‘Vodacom Golf Villages’ . This agreement culminated in the demise of the Bell’s and Telkom Business Golf Academy range names.
In April 2005 SAIL sold Pro Range to the Cullinan van Gass Family Trust. The associated Vodacom Naming Rights package was also included in the purchase. A joint venture between Moregolf and Pro Range was entered into for the George Range (administered by Moregolf in Johannesburg). While the Gauteng ranges were sold to them.
An agreement between Moregolf and Pro Range was also concluded introducing a new aggressive sales & marketing strategy that brought about a radical and innovative change from the old concept of a ‘Bucket of Balls’ to the new ’Unlimited Balls’ model using a monthly debit order membership model coupled with an improved access control system.