Hunt - Who are the private clubs? Are you referring to the leagues and beg/structured play and neighborhood groups who reserve the time? I don't understand why they feel offended. These schedules are well publicized in the rec news every month:
http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/c...s/actsched.pdf
It still looks like there are plenty of open times. It's not just Colony and Odell that have the reserved times. It looks like many of the 'northern' courts have reserved time as well.
I think you need these structured leagues and clubs to keep interest alive. Having all open courts would not work. Have you tried to get into any of these leagues/groups? Maybe hang on the waiting list for awhile? Or serve as an alternate in the beginning. I've run many golf leagues and we always try to maintain a alternate/sub list as a means of keeping the numbers up. I would love it when alternates could fill in and then eventually become a permanent member of the league.
Just my view/opinion from afar.