When a customer in California needed a custom-built trailer for the US Women’s Open Golf Championship, they contacted Transport Custom Designs of Montoursville. “Although golf has played a very important role in my life for many years, never did I ever dream I’d actually have an opportunity to provide the golfing world with a very specialized and unique vehicle, let alone that it be center stage at one of the most prestigious women’s sporting events in the country,” said company president, Joe Reynolds.

The customer had been searching nationwide for a manufacturer capable and qualified to build a product that would meet rigorous standards for such a high-profile event. “We were one of several that he talked with. In addition to our outstanding customer support and referrals, I believe we were chosen based on our ability to step outside of the box and build the specialty vehicle he wanted.”

Initially, the people at Custom Transport Designs did not even know what the trailer would be used for. “It was only after we signed the deal that he enlightened us to where this trailer would be going. We designed the trailer based on information he gave us initially, but things really came to fruition after he flew into Williamsport and spent 2 1/2 full days going over his wish list,” said Reynolds.

The intention of the trailer was to introduce the golfing world to a golf “playhouse” on wheels. After the US Women’s Open, held June 3rd-6th in San Francisco, the trailer will likely be placed into a rental fleet of trailers that will be available up and down the California coast to rent for exclusive private events.

When asked why his company stood out from the rest of the competition for such as honor, Reynolds referred to his company mission statement. It is our greatest reward to provide for you, the customer, with the highest quality workmanship in any project that we do. “Basically,” Reynolds said, “we have the courage to build what others won’t dare.”

In the short term, the trailer will be used for marketing and most likely shows in the near future. It was a custom design and necessitated the assistance of a specialized electrical engineer that came on site. The entire trailer was equipped with Tesla batteries that allow it to rely upon solar power for energy. “It was quite the learning experience.”

When asked if the build was unique, Reynolds replied, “This trailer is very unique and is exactly the kind of trailer we enjoy building. There are many qualified trailer manufacturers across this great country that build really nice trailers; however, there’s only a few that do what we do and that puts us in a class of our own.”

Reynolds went on to say that since buying the business in 2016, the industry has changed significantly. “I decided after seeing quality was no longer a pre-requisite when buying a custom trailer from the majority of my competitors, I was going to hold my ground and produce the highest quality products. Even if it put a damper on sales temporarily, I had a feeling it would pay off in the end, and it has.”

Golf has always been a big part of Joe’s life, making this build extra special. “I took lessons at a young age, played every single time I had a chance, I literally ate and slept golf for years. I caddied at Williamsport Country Club; I worked in the bag room cleaning clubs, I did anything I could as long as I could be around the golf course. I played golf in both high school and college.”

When asked how he first got started in golf, Reynolds said, “My golfing career goes back to when I was young, very young. When my family moved to Loyalsock township in 1957, and I was just one year old. We lived on Blair Street extension directly across from the 4th green at the Williamsport Country Club. As I grew a little older, I just had this “need to know” what was on the other side of the street, so without hesitation, I ventured out to see. From that day on, my life changed. My first set of clubs came from the Acme grocery store. Every time my mother went to the store and bought food for the family, you got an opportunity to purchase a club for a small fee. I was always along to make sure she got the clubs I needed. Over time I didn’t have a complete set of 14, but I sure had enough to get started.”

Reynolds later began playing in tournaments and playing well. He eventually was able to partner with another talented local player by the name of WJ Choate. Over the years, they won many tournaments locally as well throughout Pennsylvania and other states. Some notable awards were winning the Hershey CC Invitational 3 years in a row in the company of senior tour player Jay Siegel and his partner Buddy Marucci. They also were invited to and won a special tournament at the Butler National Golf club in Oak Brook, Illinois. Reynolds said that the highlight of his golfing career, and his most memorable win, was at the Winged Foot Golf Club located in Mamaroneck, NY. After failing to even qualify for this tournament multiple times, the duo was able to make the cut in1985. “That was the year that we worked harder than we ever had, and in the end, our efforts were rewarded with a victory. Tell any top amateur player that played the circuit that you won the Anderson Memorial at Winged Foot, and their reaction is, wow, that’s something to be proud of. Winged Foot has and will continue to be one of the finest courses this country has to offer and has been host to the US Open numerous times.”

When asked if he is still a fan of golf after all of these years, Reynolds said, “Today, I still enjoy the game of golf; I always will. However, as I get older, priorities change, and mine have. Golf has played a very big part of my life, and I am so thankful and gracious that it has. The courses I’ve played, the people I’ve met and played with, and the friends I made for life are so much more than I ever dreamed of. For me, placing this custom trailer at a major sporting event and working with all of my employees who helped get it there is very special. All of us at Transport Custom Designs are very proud.”

For more information about Transport Custom Designs, call 570-368-1403, visit them at 240 Streigeigh Ln, Montoursville or check them out on the web at transportcustomdesigns.com.