Group golf scheduling problem

[k2at]

Our group of between 15 and 30 individuals plays golf regularly on Mondays when an executive course is available. Recently or more specifically, we have been shut out of the system twice in the last two months with the exclamation "The system was unable to accomodate this request". Some of the individuals have 0 points for the previous week and some have as many as 3 o 4 points. We request from 12 to 15 different courses and our window to play runs from 8 AM to 1:30 PM. Obviously, every day more demands are made on the available tee times as more and more houses are sold, but it is also a source of frustration to the group when we get shut out.

Are any other groups experiencing the same problem and what is your "take" on this situation? Your comments would be much appreciated.

[zcaveman]

I schedule for a group of 16 but we play on Saturday. My range is 8:30 to 2 PM. We usually get a 9 - 10 start. Last week it was 1:16.

My group of four is hit and miss on Monday and Wednesday. Mostly miss these days.

I think that there is a way to schedule groups. You can call the Tee Time system number and find out. I think that the only problem is that you are stuck on the same course all of the time.

[memason]

I schedule a group of 16 on Friday afternoons. My range is 2:00 ~ 4:00 and 16 executive courses (everything south of 466). My priority is always on time at 3:00. Th is is the first week I have not gotten my requested time. This week it's 3:26 for the first group out.

But, it IS getting harder. Last week, we got the 14th course out of 16. This week, it was the 2nd, but it had to be the 2nd time thru the courses, since it couldn't satisfy my time priority.

It really boggles the mind at the complexity of the software that assigns tee times in TV.

Hit 'em straight...

[graciegirl]

It is because........THE BIRDS ARE BACK!!!

[texasfal]

We discovered that if you break the group up into 2 or more groups until the snowbirds leave, you'll stand a better chance of getting a tee time. Then you just coordinate where to go afterwards for refreshments and lying about your game.

[spk7951]

My Monday exec group got shut out for this coming Monday for the 1st time this winter. We usually have 16 - 20 players, time range of 10:30 - 2:30 and list all but 2 or 3 exec courses. Play points can range from 0 to 4. Last winter I believe we got shut out two or three times but the rest of the year we never have a problem getting a tee time. January thru April is just the "busy" season.

[RichieLion]

Our regular Friday group has been turned down for the second time in 3 weeks. We're already split into two groups of 7 foursomes which always was accepted. Now we're going to split into 3 groups and see if that helps.

The "birds are back", as Gracie aptly points out, and our group is even larger because of our returning friends and the golf courses are busier with all the other birds.

A few new Executive Courses will be much welcomed.

[tpop1]

Groups here in my neighborhood are being shut out also over the past few weeks.

Lots on new houses with no new executive courses!

New executive courses not scheduled to open for 1 -1/2 years, according to an Ambassador friend of mine.

Its going to be a long 2 winters!:undecided:

[zcaveman]

It is because........THE BIRDS ARE BACK!!!



And the renters are in town using the resident priviledges.

[Bogie Shooter]

For what its worth, from thevillages.net.

Group Request Processing

A Group Request is used when you want to request a tee time for more than a foursome.

There are a couple of ways to create Group Requests. You can set up a single request if you have anywhere from 5 to 32 players. Problems arise in the winter months when tee times are tight and some of the players have lots of points. The point weight becomes a factor. With this method, all of the players' points become a factor in getting a reservation.

There is a second way to create a Group Request where you can create multiple requests of smaller groups and group the players so that the players in each request are matched so they have fewer points as a request group. The restriction on this type of group request is that you have to be a member of the first group and the remaining requests must be for the exact same day and times and the same course selections. Using this method, there is no guarantee that all of the groups will play, or play on the same courses but the groups that play will play at the same time.

[hedoman]

Our group of between 15 and 30 individuals plays golf regularly on Mondays when an executive course is available. Recently or more specifically, we have been shut out of the system twice in the last two months with the exclamation "The system was unable to accomodate this request". Some of the individuals have 0 points for the previous week and some have as many as 3 o 4 points. We request from 12 to 15 different courses and our window to play runs from 8 AM to 1:30 PM. Obviously, every day more demands are made on the available tee times as more and more houses are sold, but it is also a source of frustration to the group when we get shut out.

Are any other groups experiencing the same problem and what is your "take" on this situation? Your comments would be much appreciated.

GOOD luck with that. Our group has all priority memberships and we get whatever we want, when we want..... +/- 1/2 hour
Tis' the season..........

[784caroline]

GOOD luck with that. Our group has all priority memberships and we get whatever we want, when we want..... +/- 1/2 hour
Tis' the season..........

Arent you talking apples and oranges for "priority" membership only applies to Championship golf and this thread has been about Executive golf. Also if I remember correctly, last year, if one member of the group was NOT a priority member, it was not that easy to get your tee times on the championship courses

[Ebsmom]

Can someone explain the points mentioned? We look forward to possibly moving to TV.. and plan to enjoy golf. How difficult is it to get tee times for a twosome during the Winter Season? Is the problem of tee times just an issue with large groups getting tee times primarily?
Thanks for all input..
Ebsmom~

[captg]

:cus: It is hard to get a Tee time at any time right now and it is getting harder each week. Don't believe the sales pitch of fee golf for life. This goes for singles, couples or groups.:ohdear:

[rubicon]

Arent you talking apples and oranges for "priority" membership only applies to Championship golf and this thread has been about Executive golf. Also if I remember correctly, last year, if one member of the group was NOT a priority member, it was not that easy to get your tee times on the championship courses

Apples/oranges is correct. However as respects championships courses I am somewhat disappointed by the priority system. It really begins with lifestyle/renters first, then priority members ( I am a priority menber) then priority/guests then priority /residents then residents.
So what you have are guests who are getting better access than residents who have made a huge financial investment here, and based primarily on paying golf.


As to executive courses. It is really unfair to have one large group eat up all the good tee times . Given that the population is quickly increasing and we are getting more and more renters who are sharing expenses with two to four other couples places a real stress on the executive courses and eventually it will not matter what time of year it is occurring.

Not only is it unfair to have these groups eat upall the good tee times they also slow up play badly.

[philnpat]

Our 4some got shut out this week. We requested executive courses south of 466 from 8AM to 2PM. none of us had more than 2 pts. Today I requested ALL courses for next Friday. Let's see what happens.

[Mudder]

Personally we never have a problem getting a tee time for executive or championship in winter. We are a twosome who are flexible. We also call day we wish to play and always find an unused tee time. I think mostly it's the large groups who have problems. Actually we are part of a Sunday group and we always play at just about the same time.

[RichieLion]

Apples/oranges is correct. However as respects championships courses I am somewhat disappointed by the priority system. It really begins with lifestyle/renters first, then priority members ( I am a priority menber) then priority/guests then priority /residents then residents.
So what you have are guests who are getting better access than residents who have made a huge financial investment here, and based primarily on paying golf.


As to executive courses. It is really unfair to have one large group eat up all the good tee times . Given that the population is quickly increasing and we are getting more and more renters who are sharing expenses with two to four other couples places a real stress on the executive courses and eventually it will not matter what time of year it is occurring.

Not only is it unfair to have these groups eat upall the good tee times they also slow up play badly.

Why is it unfair for good friends to get together to enjoy our "free" amenities. We play a Scramble anyway and it's not us who are holding things up out there.

[Bogie Shooter]

Today is Friday at 6:30PM. There are 29 morning, executive course, foursome Tee Times for tommorrow Saturday. ?? If you got bumped help yourself.

[chuckster]

Apples/oranges is correct. However as respects championships courses I am somewhat disappointed by the priority system. It really begins with lifestyle/renters first, then priority members ( I am a priority menber) then priority/guests then priority /residents then residents.
So what you have are guests who are getting better access than residents who have made a huge financial investment here, and based primarily on paying golf.


.

Disagree with your ranking of statuses. lifestyles are booked by sales in life style slots (limited spots each day at championship courses) if unused go to open via t-time system. They also have priority status after freebies are used but only for the length of their lifestyle program (usually one week). Renters are resident status as many do not buy priority for one or two months as minimum priority fee is for 6 months. So the order as listed in a very informative free booklet available at championship courses is priority, resident, priority guest, resident guest, nonresident. lifestyles as mentioned are priority during their one week stay. Check it out, you might find it interesting..........jmho

This is for championship courses and has no bearing on executive golf. Play points are the key for t-times here. check it out, the booklet is very informative........as I said jmho........Hey Bill & Bogey :popcorn::popcorn:

[Mallory]

Just wondering what the folks in the tee time office said when you called them about getting shut-out. They can pretty take you thru individual by individual to explain why you didn't get a tee time.

[Yorio]

A group of 20 of us was shut out last week though we will be playing this week. We have a couple's golf once a month of about 36 and we were able to get in in January. We were surprised to hear there was a group of 90 preceding us then. Is this possible? Guess we need to pursuade the developers to build more Exexutive courses south of 466A more quickly then planned. We don't care about the scenery for now as long as we don't get shut out often.

[downeaster]

Can someone explain the points mentioned? We look forward to possibly moving to TV.. and plan to enjoy golf. How difficult is it to get tee times for a twosome during the Winter Season? Is the problem of tee times just an issue with large groups getting tee times primarily?
Thanks for all input..
Ebsmom~

Not easy to explain, Ebsmom, but i will try. Each time you play you get charged a point and that stays on for seven days. Each time you make a request the system counts your, and those playing with you, points. It will then try to accommodate your request considering the time frames and courses selected.

When making a request you specify choice of course(s), preferred tee time, and acceptable "window" time.

Example 1: You and your partners have played frequently in the previous seven days. You request a tee time of 10:00AM. You request a "window" of 9:00AM and 11:00AM. You request only one course. Your chance of acceptance is nil.

Example 2: You and your partners have not played during the prior seven days. You request a tee time of 10:00AM. You request a window of 9:00AM and 3:00PM. You request your preferred courses plus "any other course". Your chances are excellent.

The examples are the extremes as most of us will fall somewhere in between. They refer to up to four players on executive courses during the busy months.

I am of the opinion the tee time system is very fair in the distribution of tee times.

Hope this helps. Comments by other residents welcome as I always fear I may mistakenly lead someone astray.

[NotGolfer]

Not easy to explain, Ebsmom, but i will try. Each time you play you get charged a point and that stays on for seven days. Each time you make a request the system counts your, and those playing with you, points. It will then try to accommodate your request considering the time frames and courses selected.

When making a request you specify choice of course(s), preferred tee time, and acceptable "window" time.

Example 1: You and your partners have played frequently in the previous seven days. You request a tee time of 10:00AM. You request a "window" of 9:00AM and 11:00AM. You request only one course. Your chance of acceptance is nil.

Example 2: You and your partners have not played during the prior seven days. You request a tee time of 10:00AM. You request a window of 9:00AM and 3:00PM. You request your preferred courses plus "any other course". Your chances are excellent.

The examples are the extremes as most of us will fall somewhere in between. They refer to up to four players on executive courses during the busy months.

I am of the opinion the tee time system is very fair in the distribution of tee times.

Hope this helps. Comments by other residents welcome as I always fear I may mistakenly lead someone astray.

I don't golf! But the other person who lives in our house does...and frequently. This explanation has been given to me...and I would say it's quite clear and factual. I've been told that if a person is flexible with times and courses...they will get a T-time!

[Mikeod]

For groups of residents only on the executive courses, the system ranks the groups by the average points per player. (Total points divided by the number of players.) Then groups are assigned tee times according to their preferences. However, if a large group is looking for highly desirable times, they may wind up being shut out because small groups with lower average points may be assigned in that time slot prior to the larger groups' turn. IOW, if the large group is looking for a time around 10AM and needs 7 times, they cannot be assigned that time because there is a foursome at 10:15 already assigned. So, if there are no courses with 7 consecutive times open within the time range the large group has selected, they will be shut out, even though smaller groups with higher average points get times.

Best advice is to list a large number of courses and as wide a time frame as possible. Also, consider whether or not you want to include players with high point totals. In some of the groups I play with, during the high season we exclude players with 4 or more executive points. These players have the choice to either cut out playing at other times or not play with us. During the late spring and summer, we include everyone as tee times are more available.

I have been told that three new executive courses south of 466A are slated to open late 2012/early 2013 near the Saratoga range. 18 holes of Eden Prairie championship course are scheduled to open about the same time.

[aln]

I've been making ressies for 12 guys for 4-5 years now and every winter it's the same thing. We get shut out about 1 in 3 or 2 out of 4 weeks.

My parameters are much the same as most of you.

Not pleased but only about 10 weeks left.

[gage405]

I did not get a tee time on an exec course for this Wed.
I put in for myself and for two guests.

Since I dont have any points for the exec courses, I didnt
think I would have any problem getting a tee time.

I put in a time range from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. and put in for
6 or 8 courses, I forget now exactly how many.

But, with no points and only wanting one tee time, I wasnt
that concerned.

I was very surprised to read that the system could not
accommodate this request.

Were there that many before me who had no points?

[aln]

I got one for Wed for 12 guys - all of which had 1-3 points.
But, I had 19 courses as an option and a 6 hour window (8-2).

You might want to widen your time and choose more courses.

[k2at]

If a guest is one of the players u r trying to schedule, you can forget getting a tee time. A group with even one guest goes to the end of the line meaning you might just as well go out and play tennis, because u won't be playing golf.

[gage405]

I guess a guest is the problem. And I had two guests in the
request.

It looks like we have to play at 4:00 p.m. or later. Or we will
just bite the financial bullet and play the 18-hole courses.

[villages07]

Any request with guests is evaluated after all requests that are Village residents only, regardless of how many points the collective residents might have, are satisfied. So, yep, unless you open your window up to before 8am or after 3:30 pm any request with guests will likely be rejected.