[pooh]

Originally Posted by schotzyb

..................... In other words we are at the mercy of the weather. Not a very good scenario if you ask me.

We ARE at the mercy of the weather, here and in just about all locations across the US. Where the heck do you get more water if it doesn't rain? Florida doesn't buy water from others, salt water isn't desalinated for use here. The past few summers have been hot and dry. Haven't you ever lived in an area with water restrictions? Would you prefer that potable water be used to irrigate the courses instead of non-potable water? Maybe that's what could be happening in other locations.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by Taj44

The problem is, what we are seeing as far as conditions, doesn't compute with age of courses as far as turf depth. For example, Havana has been in pretty good shape compared to Mallory and Cane, and its much newer. Palmer and Lopez have been in good shape, and they're newer than Hacienda. We all know there are water restrictions, but it is not entirely clear why some courses are consistently in better shape, have more water to put on, than other courses; Palmer, Lopez, and Havana being chief examples. I watched them water Havana and Palmer almost every day a couple months ago, while Mallory was getting almost no water.

It has to do with water allocation.

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by pooh

We ARE at the mercy of the weather, here and in just about all locations across the US. Where the heck do you get more water if it doesn't rain? Florida doesn't buy water from others, salt water isn't desalinated for use here. The past few summers have been hot and dry. Haven't you ever lived in an area with water restrictions? Would you prefer that potable water be used to irrigate the courses instead of non-potable water? Maybe that's what could be happening in other locations.

No, what i would prefer is to receive what is being advertised, that being Championship Golf Courses not courses that resemble Municipal Golf Courses. Even with a priority membership here in The Villages you pay more for 18 holes of golf in the summer months with the courses in their present condition than you do playing at many courses outside The Villages in much better condition. You can only blame the weather so long before people tire of hearing it. Knowing that rain is so vital to the conditions of the courses , is anything being done to offset the lack of it? More retention ponds being built to store more water for times like these.? I don't see them if they are.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by schotzyb

No, what i would prefer is to receive what is being advertised, that being Championship Golf Courses not courses that resemble Municipal Golf Courses. Even with a priority membership here in The Villages you pay more for 18 holes of golf in the summer months with the courses in their present condition than you do playing at many courses outside The Villages in much better condition. You can only blame the weather so long before people tire of hearing it. Knowing that rain is so vital to the conditions of the courses , is anything being done to offset the lack of it? More retention ponds being built to store more water for times like these.? I don't see them if they are.

I'm not sure that additional retention ponds can be built without permits or enviromental impact reports. The master plan presented to counties is what it is. You can't just "dig a hole" somewhere....as logical as that might seem to you...and remember "plumbing" has to be installed also to get that water from one location to another. There are houses, golf course, marsh land, that are all impacted if someone just starts digging.

One does have the option of playing other courses outside TV if they feel the courses are better. It will get better when it rains....the golf course, our yards, the retention ponds. The first year I was here, you needed a hammer to get the tees into the ground, it had been a hot, dry summer before our arrival. It got better...got rain during the rainy season. Florida goes through climate cycles, sometimes expected and many times, unexpected. Weather has been unpredictable without a doubt and the weather here is no exception.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by pooh

It has to do with water allocation.

If that is the case, then Havana would be allocated more water than Mallory why????? Makes no sense.

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by pooh

I'm not sure that additional retention ponds can be built without permits or enviromental impact reports. The master plan presented to counties is what it is. You can't just "dig a hole" somewhere....as logical as that might seem to you...and remember "plumbing" has to be installed also to get that water from one location to another. There are houses, golf course, marsh land, land where homes are situated...that are all impacted if someone just starts digging.

I understand that but the question I am asking is what is being done now to prevent this from being an every dry summer occurrance. Like I said, I don't see any measures being taken to alleviate the problem but I do see more and more houses being built which will only worsen not help the problem

[pooh]

Originally Posted by Taj44

If that is the case, then Havana would be allocated more water than Mallory why????? Makes no sense.

It could be that one course has more storage than another. I'm not sure how much "storage" Havana has vs Mallory.

It still boils down to just how much water there is available and without much rain, retention ponds are low.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by schotzyb

I understand that but the question I am asking is what is being done now to prevent this from being an every dry summer occurrance. Like I said, I don't see any measures being taken to alleviate the problem but I do see more and more houses being built which will only worsen not help the problem

Then the next step should be to stop building houses? Remember, TV is in two parts, the part that's already built and the part that exists on paper. Climatic conditions probably weren't generally a huge consideration when planning this community...heck Florida usually gets sufficient rain in the summer and even some in the winter to keep the state green. Hasn't happened for a couple of summers and we have yet no clue if this summer is going to be wet or dry.

The new homes have to be built, plans are approved and must and will move forward. Not all who live in TV play golf and some might not understand your angst about dry courses. I understand, I've been playing at golf for many years and do enjoy it more when the grass is lush and green....however, I can also understand that water shortages do present difficulties in keeping courses in that type of playing condition.

[katezbox]

Pooh, Taj and Schotzy,

Thank you for a civil discourse - where you disagree with each other, without snide, rude comments!

kate

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by pooh

Then the next step should be to stop building houses? Remember, TV is in two parts, the part that's already built and the part that exists on paper. Climatic conditions probably weren't generally a huge consideration when planning this community...heck Florida usually gets sufficient rain in the summer and even some in the winter to keep the state green. Hasn't happened for a couple of summers and we have yet no clue if this summer is going to be wet or dry.

The new homes have to be built, plans are approved and must and will move forward. Not all who live in TV play golf and some might not understand your angst about dry courses. I understand, I've been playing at golf for many years and do enjoy it more when the grass is lush and green....however, I can also understand that water shortages do present difficulties in keeping courses in that type of playing condition.

Well we both know they are not going to quit building houses so I guess all one can do is grin and bear it . Not me, I refuse to pay another ~$1000 for a Priority Membership to play on courses in these courses conditions. I will take my chances with outside courses .

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by katezbox

Pooh, Taj and Schotzy,

Thank you for a civil discourse - where you disagree with each other, without snide, rude comments!



kate

No reason to be rude when stating ones opinion.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by schotzyb

No reason to be rude when stating ones opinion.

I agree - but some posters seem to think that rudeness is key to making their point heard...

[pooh]

Originally Posted by schotzyb

Well we both know they are not going to quit building houses so I guess all one can do is grin and bear it . Not me, I refuse to pay another ~$1000 for a Priority Membership to play on courses in these courses conditions. I will take my chances with outside courses .

I don't remember paying that much for a priority membership, but it probably was.. Personally, I don't play enough, even on the executive courses to warrant that expense. With the summer heat, the chances of playing lots of golf on championship courses for me is nill...

If you find courses off campus more to your liking, then those should be the courses you use for now.

Have you done calculations to determine if the priority membership is worth purchasing? Do you play that much golf on the larger courses? Do you save enough paying reduced greens fees to cover what you pay for membership? I didn't so it wasn't worth it.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by katezbox

I agree - but some posters seem to think that rudeness is key to making their point heard...

LOL....so true, but at least they're not typing with all CAPS!

[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by pooh

I don't remember paying that much for a priority membership, but it probably was.. Personally, I don't play enough, even on the executive courses to warrant that expense. With the summer heat, the chances of playing lots of golf on championship courses for me is nill...

If you find courses off campus more to your liking, then those should be the courses you use for now.

Have you done calculations to determine if the priority membership is worth purchasing? Do you play that much golf on the larger courses? Do you save enough paying reduced greens fees to cover what you pay for membership? I didn't so it wasn't worth it.

I have the Priority Membership for myself and my wife is the reaon it is ~$1000. I very rarely play the Executive Courses. My wife plays them when her knee allows. I play 3 times a week on the Championship Courses once on Friday morning with a group of neighbors and the other two times in the afternoon with 3 other resident/friends. The Priority is definetly worth it especially in the winter months with the higher rates and the difficulty in getting T times on specific courses. Cane to me has been unplayable ever since overseeding. The courses outside The Villages base their green fee rates on what a Priority Member would pay inside The Villages; at least that is what I have been told by those people running those courses