[Sjshanl]

Played spectacular greens at Havana today. They were over seeded in December and are the best I’ve played in the Villages in my 8 years here. So good it almost makes the exorbitant winter rate seem reasonable. They were actually green with no paint and incredibly smooth and consistent. Over seeding used to be a standard here, I guess $ made them change. Between now and April when they close the course for replacement of fairways and greens Havana will be my first choice for golf. After that who knows.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Sjshanl

Played spectacular greens at Havana today. They were over seeded in December and are the best I’ve played in the Villages in my 8 years here. So good it almost makes the exorbitant winter rate seem reasonable. They were actually green with no paint and incredibly smooth and consistent. Over seeding used to be a standard here, I guess $ made them change. Between now and April when they close the course for replacement of fairways and greens Havana will be my first choice for golf. After that who knows.

Havana is the only course that's been over-seeded, because it was in such desperate condition.

As you said, Havana is scheduled to go under renovation in Mid-April and it will (I've heard), one of the few times the Developer does an entire course, in one shot.

Next in line is Cane Garden, but I've been told that will go back to being done 9 Holes at a time.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Sjshanl

Played spectacular greens at Havana today. They were over seeded in December and are the best I’ve played in the Villages in my 8 years here. So good it almost makes the exorbitant winter rate seem reasonable. They were actually green with no paint and incredibly smooth and consistent. Over seeding used to be a standard here, I guess $ made them change. Between now and April when they close the course for replacement of fairways and greens Havana will be my first choice for golf. After that who knows.

Havana is the only course that's been over-seeded, because it was in such desperate condition.

As you said, Havana is scheduled to go under renovation in Mid-April and it will be (I've heard), one of the few times the Developer does an entire course, in one shot.

Next in line is Cane Garden, but I've been told that will go back to being done 9 Holes at a time.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Havana is the only course that's been over-seeded, because it was in such desperate condition.

As you said, Havana is scheduled to go under renovation in Mid-April and it will be (I've heard), one of the few times the Developer does an entire course, in one shot.

Next in line is Cane Garden, but I've been told that will go back to being done 9 Holes at a time.

Brian, didnt the video say the course will be open again in the fall 2025? Did I hear that correct? Can the grass grow and root that quickly?

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Brian, didnt the video say the course will be open again in the fall 2025? Did I hear that correct? Can the grass grow and root that quickly?

I didn't see a video.

Seems like a very ambitious schedule. All 3 of the Palmer renovations, took a close to full year before they re-opened. If I'm not mistaken, all the scheduled renovations at the Executive courses took about 9 months to complete.

I know if it was a Bent Grass golf course, you'd be looking at a minimum of 9 months-year before you'd be playing on it. I don't know much about Bermuda and how long it takes, but I wouldn't make any pre-paid reservations to play it next October ������

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Sjshanl

Played spectacular greens at Havana today. They were over seeded in December and are the best I’ve played in the Villages in my 8 years here. So good it almost makes the exorbitant winter rate seem reasonable. They were actually green with no paint and incredibly smooth and consistent. Over seeding used to be a standard here, I guess $ made them change. Between now and April when they close the course for replacement of fairways and greens Havana will be my first choice for golf. After that who knows.

Exorbitant fees. Munis in S. Florida are over $100 and some close to $200. In addition, they get more play time. Bet they had a lot of golfers this past week when we most of the TV courses were empty. Bet a lot of the reason for the winter grass was due to fact that since they are re building the course and they will not have the transition problems when the winter grass dies

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Exorbitant fees. Munis in S. Florida are over $100 and some close to $200. In addition, they get more play time. Bet they had a lot of golfers this past week when we most of the TV courses were empty. Bet a lot of the reason for the winter grass was due to fact that since they are re building the course and they will not have the transition problems when the winter grass dies

Given the condition Havana was in, over-seeding was a semi-genius idea in my opinion. Not only do they end up with a course that's looking good for the in-season players, it probably didn't cost any more to over-seed, than it would have cost to kill the Bermuda, in preparation for restoration.

[Mrmean58]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Brian, didnt the video say the course will be open again in the fall 2025? Did I hear that correct? Can the grass grow and root that quickly?

Yes it can. As long as the seed or sod is in place before the end of the summer growing season. Only 18 of the 27 holes will open this fall as the remaining 9 has more extensive renovations.

[barbnick]

Originally Posted by Sjshanl

Played spectacular greens at Havana today. They were over seeded in December and are the best I’ve played in the Villages in my 8 years here. So good it almost makes the exorbitant winter rate seem reasonable. They were actually green with no paint and incredibly smooth and consistent. Over seeding used to be a standard here, I guess $ made them change. Between now and April when they close the course for replacement of fairways and greens Havana will be my first choice for golf. After that who knows.

Enjoy it while you can. All Havana Champ courses will be shut down April to November

[Bay Kid]

Glad they are keeping our courses updated.

[Golden Domer]

Thanks for taking the time to update us all on current course conditions ….I really appreciate it …. I try to do the same when I’m in the bubble … back now …. So will add my reviews as appropriate….

[Lowcap]

I know a little about golf construction. These types of grasses cannot be seeded. All flat level surfaces will be sprigged and usually only slopes will be sodded. The champion greens will definitely be sprigged. These all take a 3-4 months to grow in enough to play. We all appreciate the course updates. Except of course the ones that tell us the bunkers need to raked (happens 3 days a week) or the course is wet after it rains. We all know Belle Glade and Evans Prairie hold water. Bonifay, Havana, Cane, Mallory and all the courses North drain better. If there are cart restrictions don't play. Good golfing to all!