[Irish Rover]

Don't forget the snowbirds don't really worry about the cost of golf on the championship courses. Our group of about 25 - 30 families come down and play mostly off campus. Most of us book a week in advance and hope we get something. It is what it is.

[billethkid]

Wow listen to the negative drum beat when someone who waits till the last minute and does not get their druthers!

Doing it the recommended way of three days ahead and there is no problem getting a tee time.
And the last couple of weeks we have been able to get a tee time a couple of days out and a couple day before attempts that got us mid afternoon times.

No complaints about getting a tee time in 10" years.
Of course it is busier this time of year and the developer has pretty much figured the ratio right.

Let's work on promoting ready golf and fixing ball marks on the greens if we really want to see some improvement.

btk

[alemorkam]

Thanks you billethkid. I also have been here 10 and never had a problem with tee times any time of year.

[murray607]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I would also love to know what this means

Me too.

Snowbirds pay the ammenity fee every month, even though they are not here. Then when they arrive is it too much to expect them to be on a level footing with everyone else?

Too much blaming of the Snowbirds, next we will be hearing they are accountable for bad weather and the lovebugs!!!!

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Please explain what this means?

From what I see golfing on the courses in the past week they are putting new sand in the sand traps as opposed to the concrete like sand we have been playing in.....they seem to be grooming the courses more than they did in the summer, watering every day to make sure the greens are pretty. It just didn't seem like they paid that much attention to detail in the summer. The courses seem to be in better shape. Just my observation.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Happinow

From what I see golfing on the courses in the past week they are putting new sand in the sand traps as opposed to the concrete like sand we have been playing in.....they seem to be grooming the courses more than they did in the summer, watering every day to make sure the greens are pretty. It just didn't seem like they paid that much attention to detail in the summer. The courses seem to be in better shape. Just my observation.

It rains every day in the summer.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by Happinow

From what I see golfing on the courses in the past week they are putting new sand in the sand traps as opposed to the concrete like sand we have been playing in.....they seem to be grooming the courses more than they did in the summer, watering every day to make sure the greens are pretty. It just didn't seem like they paid that much attention to detail in the summer. The courses seem to be in better shape. Just my observation.

Every fall they have to begin the process to overseed the courses because the bermuda will go dormant when soil temps get below 50. The overseed needs to be done when temperatures enable germination. During that process, they need to increase watering just like you would do with a newly seeded lawn. They also need to eliminate some starting times so they can water during the day. They will close the courses while they do the overseed and that gives them the opportunity to do other work at the same time without disrupting normal play. This year they are re-doing many sand traps especially because the heavy rains this summer resulted in compacting them.

I must disagree with your assessment that they didn't pay much attention during the summer. I submit reports on executive courses to golf administration during the year. My report in April was positive, but I was disappointed at the conditions in July. My report in October was very positive. That only happens when the contractors are paying a lot of attention to the courses. They were hampered by the rains, yet course conditions improved markedly.

There is no comspiracy, no favoritism.

[murray607]

Originally Posted by Happinow

From what I see golfing on the courses in the past week they are putting new sand in the sand traps as opposed to the concrete like sand we have been playing in.....they seem to be grooming the courses more than they did in the summer, watering every day to make sure the greens are pretty. It just didn't seem like they paid that much attention to detail in the summer. The courses seem to be in better shape. Just my observation.

So, you don't want them to be in better shape? I would be thankful that they are being improved.

I doubt very much that there is a conspiracy, time to put it to rest.

[murray607]

Originally Posted by mikeod

Every fall they have to begin the process to overseed the courses because the bermuda will go dormant when soil temps get below 50. The overseed needs to be done when temperatures enable germination. During that process, they need to increase watering just like you would do with a newly seeded lawn. They also need to eliminate some starting times so they can water during the day. They will close the courses while they do the overseed and that gives them the opportunity to do other work at the same time without disrupting normal play. This year they are re-doing many sand traps especially because the heavy rains this summer resulted in compacting them.

I must disagree with your assessment that they didn't pay much attention during the summer. I submit reports on executive courses to golf administration during the year. My report in April was positive, but I was disappointed at the conditions in July. My report in October was very positive. That only happens when the contractors are paying a lot of attention to the courses. They were hampered by the rains, yet course conditions improved markedly.

There is no comspiracy, no favoritism.

Great explanation Mike, you obviously are on top of things

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Happinow

From what I see golfing on the courses in the past week they are putting new sand in the sand traps as opposed to the concrete like sand we have been playing in.....they seem to be grooming the courses more than they did in the summer, watering every day to make sure the greens are pretty. It just didn't seem like they paid that much attention to detail in the summer. The courses seem to be in better shape. Just my observation.

All the attention and watering being given to the courses right now is because of the over seeding with rye grass. Not because the snowbirds are coming back.......................

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Happinow

I know the birds are back but it seems awful strange to me when I look at open tee times the day before I want to golf, about 99% of the courses have nothing available until 5:30 or later. I think I heard that the villages saves tee time for LSV's? It kind of strikes me odd that we who live here all year get short changed in the winter. It seems that the villages really puts on the dog for the returning snow birds and we get the left overs. The courses are in very nice shape now compared to this summer. Maybe they thrive in the winter with the cooler temps. Anyhow, I'm disappointed that I will probably only be able to play golf 1-2 times a week now. I think its time to go off campus. I still love it here!!

Originally Posted by mikeod

Every fall they have to begin the process to overseed the courses because the bermuda will go dormant when soil temps get below 50. The overseed needs to be done when temperatures enable germination. During that process, they need to increase watering just like you would do with a newly seeded lawn. They also need to eliminate some starting times so they can water during the day. They will close the courses while they do the overseed and that gives them the opportunity to do other work at the same time without disrupting normal play. This year they are re-doing many sand traps especially because the heavy rains this summer resulted in compacting them.

I must disagree with your assessment that they didn't pay much attention during the summer. I submit reports on executive courses to golf administration during the year. My report in April was positive, but I was disappointed at the conditions in July. My report in October was very positive. That only happens when the contractors are paying a lot of attention to the courses. They were hampered by the rains, yet course conditions improved markedly.

There is no conspiracy, no favoritism.

Happinow, the grooming and watering of the golf courses have been explained, hopefully to your satisfaction.

However I still don't understand your statements:

"We who live here all year get shortchanged in the winter".
"We get the leftovers".

Could you please clarify exactly what you mean? I'm concerned because if all Frogs feel this way about Snowbirds, we deserve to know why. Is it something we can personally fix? Is it some problem that you see in the Golf Booking System? Please explain.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Happinow, the grooming and watering of the golf courses have been explained, hopefully to your satisfaction.

However I still don't understand your statements:

"We who live here all year get shortchanged in the winter".
"We get the leftovers".

Could you please clarify exactly what you mean? I'm concerned because if all Frogs feel this way about Snowbirds, we deserve to know why. Is it something we can personally fix? Is it some problem that you see in the Golf Booking System? Please explain.

I don't think that's gonna happen, Bare. I think that statement was something Happinow threw out there without thinking it through. The lack of response from her, to me, indicates that maybe she thinks that might not have been an accurate statement.

So we should just let it go, maybe. At least I am, but then I'm not a golfer! Shame, I know.

You are coming back soon, right? November? welcome back, snowbird.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I don't think that's gonna happen, Bare. I think that statement was something Happinow threw out there without thinking it through. The lack of response from her, to me, indicates that maybe she thinks that might not have been an accurate statement.

So we should just let it go, maybe. At least I am, but then I'm not a golfer!
You are coming back soon, right? November? welcome back, snowbird.

I guess perhaps I'm taking it personally. And I want to understand it, because I am a Snowbird and I am a golfer. And Snowbirds pay amenities happily 12 months a year in order to use the golf course for six months. So when Frogs complain about Snowbirds, I'm gob smacked!

I'll see you mid November, either at Crispers or at the Dog Park! Or perhaps Doug and Pammy will arrange a happy hour party.

[yabbadu]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Very difficult to look at the next day and expect to see openings. More likely to get a tee time by making a request.
No need to take any classes.

Better to take classes and learn the proper way than to go by heresay

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by yabbadu

Better to take classes and learn the proper way than to go by heresay

Its not that difficult. All explained in great detail here:
http://www.golfthevillages.com/golf-...heVillages.pdf