Tee Time Problems
 

Smalldog SEZ
I am a full time resident and having all manor of difficulty getting a excutive course Tee time that is not at the break of day or late afternoon ........ :cus:
since I am here in the summer also I feel that this is due to the dreaded snowbird renters that have arrived .. :boxing2: I feel there should be some type of amendment to the tee time system so that us frogs have an equitiable shot at getting a tee time within a desireable time frame :ohdear:
Comment ??

Tee Times
 

I, too, am full-time and we have the same situation. Thank you for not saying that you can't get a tee time, but that you just can't get the prime times. (I hear so many complain that they can't get a tee time.) Fortunately, for the most part, this is only true the first three months of the year. Not all the seasonal residents are renters, though. Some are only here 3-6 months out of the year and still pay the ammenities fees all year. The fees are not suspended just because they are not here. I don't have a problem with their being here or renting the property out for that matter since they do pay and renters also have to pay the trail fees which are not included in the ammenities. What I do have a problem with is the renters having guests who also play the executive courses. This just compounds the problem. (I am not against the resident/homeowner having guests..just the renters who don't own anything here.) Hope this isn't too rambling and/or disjointed. If so, I'll try to clarify.

Wannabe here...with questions...

1. what is a "frog." I'm sure it is a colorful name for something other than a green amphibian.

2. Do the snowbirds get some sort of preferential treatment over the year round residents when it comes to getting starting times? If so, why? If not, why can they get on at prime time, and not you?

A frog is someone who lives in TV permanently -- we're here until we croak.

Basically, priority tee times goes to those who don't use the courses as often. So, snowbirds, renters, visitors get the better times year round but it really only affects anyone during snowbird season. My guess is that the developer does it so that renters and guests want to live here even more.

Red, thanks for the explanation on frogs.

so, If I understand you correctly, whoever makes the times sets aside several hours a day, say 10AM to 2PM, for example, and no matter what time you, as a permanent year-round resident/owner, call to set up a tee-time, those times are reserved for renters who are there only for the winter months. You can't get them because they are saved for snowbirds, somehow?

I'm just an outsider here, not wanting to step on toes, but that seems wrong to me. I can see allowing the renters EQUAL opportunity, since they are paying the buck and using the owner/landlords amenities pass, but PREFERENTIAL??

MAKES no sense to this wannabe.

A "frog" is someone here till he croaks.

There is no discrimination against full-time residents, but the tee times are become less available the more you play. The system keeps track of how often you play in each 7-day period. Each time in that period that you reserve a tee time it reduces the chance of getting the next one.

The "prime-time" reservations during Jan-Mar are almost all taken by priority members, most of whom use the villages.net computer reservations system. (there are fees for both of these.) The computer opens up a new day for reservations at midnight. These folks all jump on at that time and get the times and courses they want in many cases. If there is even one member of a foursome who is not a priority member, or somebody has played several days in a row, the group request may well be rejected. It's amazing how few times are left by 12:30 am.

I really don't see it as preferential treatment. Let's face it, whether they're renters or snowbirds, they're paying for amenities. If renters, it is usually snowbirds paying those amenities. So, the snowbirds pay for 12 months of amenities and, if they're lucky, get to use TV facilities for 6 months out of the year. I think they deserve some "preferential" time. Imagine what our amenity fees would be if the froggers had to pay year round while snowbirds only paid for when they, their renters and guests were here.

As to the seasonal renters, without them, many of us couldn't live here. They pay exorbitant amounts to stay for a few months. Basically, they pay the amenity fees plus plus. And, since we don't begrudge our friends and visitors when they come to play, why should we begrudge those seasonal renters their friends?

I think we really need to get down and thank the snowbirds. They make it so at least some of the businesses survive until the next season. The keep our fees at reasonable levels. They set it up that we get to enjoy TV year round and are only inconvenienced for a short period of time. For that, I think we should quit begrudging the lines, extra traffic and loss of the "best" tee times for a few months. And, don't forget, some of our best friends are snowbirds!

Interesting.

I see I didn't really understand. Thanks for the explanations.

The term priority tends to muddy the waters regarding executive golf. Priority (paying an annual fee) only benefits golfers who use the 9 championship courses. It also covers trail fees for executive courses and access to the country club pools(included in the annual fee). It has no benefit for executive t-time requests. As someone mentioned earlier, it is strictly a points issue during any 7 day period. You get 1 point for the reservation received and if you cancel within 24 hours 2 extra for a total of 3 points. Your total points determine you ability to get a t-time. Points disappear after 7 days (a sliding 7 day window, if you will).

It balances play among all residents/renters, etc. During the busy season it is best to give yourself a large time window and not stick strictly with prime time. Try for example from 9am - 3pm.

To get more answers call the t-time office as I did. 352-750-4558. They are really very helpful in explaining your point accumulation.

Hope this helps.

I agree. I play 4 - 5 times a week (both 9 & 18 hole courses) and have found that during this season, you must widen your window of acceptable for both courses and times. I had one request denied in Dec. but that was because I put in for 1 course and a small time window. Don't make that mistake anymore. Now, I don't always get the course I want, nor the time I want, but I always get A Tee Time. I can live with that...until "The Season" ends in a couple of months.
Actually I think the system is done pretty well considering the huge number of golfers using it. Face it there are only so many times available. The developer has created a system that is "fairer" than most I've seen elsewhere. :shrug:

Redwitch, I agree with you 100%. I've never understood why so many people dislike the snowbirds. As you stated, we couldn't have all that we have without them. All my friends seem to see is the exta traffic and longer waits at the restaurants. It is nothing compared to most cities of any size at all. I guess they have forgotten.

`

I am a snowbird renter. We took the priorty membership, got online through Villages.net to access on line tee times. Alas, we have not had requests made 7 days in advance granted and two this week have been at 4:47 and we have been unable to finish. It seems that there are too many golfers(a good thing) but not enough courses to allow us all to play. I am sure it is a seasonal thing but it does cause the snowbirds distress as well as you frogs.

I am assuming you got the priority membership to play the championship courses...if so I just looked 9:40 Tuesday evening and found the following:
For Wednesday open tee times between 7:08-8:00 29 tee times for 2 or more players,
8:00-8:43 11 tee times, 12:19-1:00 7 tee times. Thursday and Friday had about the same number of open tee times.

If,however, if you are looking for times on the executive courses there was one tee time on Friday.
I know it does not help right now, but there are 3 new executive courses being built near Cane Garden.

You may or may not know, but just in case you don't, the priority membership means nothing when it comes to the executive course tee times. The only thing it does for you is to pay the trail fees for those courses (in addition to the championship membership and trail fees). Hope this clarifies part of it for you.

I have the priority membership to all championship courses and only get to play golf a dozen times a year in TV. I am not even there during February or March. Seems like a waste of money? Not really. When you look at the cost of golf in TV compared to anywhere else, it is very cheap. I also belong to a private club in Northern Virginia. My monthly fee even in the winter when I can't play is more than the annual fee there.

There are plenty of great courses within TV and many more within a short drive. I used to play Torre Pines just North of San Diego. Public course and does not take tee times. So one member of our foursome got up at 2 AM every Saturday morning, went to the course, put our golf bags in line, and went back to sleep in the car. And yes there was a line at the ungodly hour. So why not have one member of your foursome, log on at midnight and make the tee time. Rotate who does it and enjoy the game. And if you don't get the time, drive a few miles and play some courses off the reservation. Golf there is very cheap so take advantage of it and play lots of places. When the snowbirds and renters leave, go back to the executive courses when your choices are more.

But, not really necessary at the times of the year you are in TV.

I don't care if you are a year round person or a snowbird, getting tee times on the executive courses are really a problem in the winter --- and they are just as much as a problem in the summer. Not accommodated is my usual response from a tee time request.

And before I get the " make a wide window" - I do.

My poem:

Not Accommodated

“You can play golf every day”
That is what the brochures say
But from January to May
All you get is ‘Not Accommodated”.

You put in a Request for a day to play
Then cross your fingers and sit and pray
But on the day you schedule to play
You get “Not accommodated”.

From the month of May through December
There is not a day that I remember
When I got that unwanted message
You are “Not Accommodated”.

They says it is “points”
They say that it’s fair
I think it is wrong and I really don’t care
I hate to see “Not Accommodated”.

My wife wants to play,
My groups what to play
What can I tell them? What can I say?
They don’t want to hear ‘Not Accommodated”.

I figured it out!
I take the Reservation route!
Scan all of the courses and try not to shout
When I can beat “Not Accommodated”.

Sometimes I’m lucky - Sometimes I’m not
When I am lucky my group thinks I’m hot
But when I strike out and down we are shot
All I can see is “Not Accommodated”.

So don’t get me wrong if I am not grieving
When I say “So long” as the snowbirds start leaving
Because that will be the day my Requests
Will no longer be “Not Accommodated”

I2ridehd
What course do you belong to in N Va......we are formerly from Montclair Va north of Quanitco just off of 95

Tee Times
 

Please, also remember, that those of us who are "froggers" have already paid in front for all the services rendered, either montly in amenity payments, or in trail fees. The Tee Time system will ALWAYS favor those who do not play golf on a regular basis just due to the point count, which in many ways may not be the fairest method. That being said, as previously stated the first three to four months of the year are the toughest to get the best times, just due to snowbirds and renters; however, remember that those who are still coming down for the "take a look week" here are also given priority on the golf courses and it is not until they become residents full time or not that they fully understand the truth to the system. There is much to be said for shameless self promotion good and bad.

Red, doesn't matter if you live here year round, or are a snowbird, the system is based on a 7 day play schedule, the more you play, the less chance you have of getting a requested advance time for when you want. the more points you have in a 7 day period, the slimmer the times.

bump
I recently saw an article in The Daily Sun that was touting The Villages as a great convention location, and that the bookings are on the rise because of all the amenities that The Villages has to offer.

One of the big amenities mentioned was the availability of so many golf courses.....I wonder if this has an impact on availability of tee times, particularly on Championship Courses. I'll be it does. And I wonder how many tee times are "set aside" by the Developer for Conventions, Lifestyle Visits (scheduled or not), etc. Does anyone on this forum know?

(If this is considered Hi Jacking, sorry about that...:wave:)

I am not liking that whole idea.:cus:

Tee time Reprise
 

Smalldog Sez
I never intended this thread as a rant against snowbirds and Snowflakes ....... they are a fact of life here in Florida ..........:bowdown: But it seems unfair that full time residents should be treated so cavalierly with repect to tee times .............. but I have since found out the problem is not only the annual winter visitors but our lovely developer who having most of what they are going to get from me and you, has reserved LARGE blocks of tee times for the renters here on Lifestyle visits :ohdear: ........... no unable to accomodate for those people ya know ......
at least not till they sign something:faint:

Another part of the problem is that with the recent lawsuit settlement for north side residents (CDD's north of rte 466), the developer was limited as to the number of tee times he could use for executive golf courses in that area. Subsequently, he INCREASED the number of tee times that he blocks out on the south side executive courses, making it more difficult to get tee times for these courses.

With Creekside Landing opening in February, it is only going to get worse for the next two months.

Rather than give full timers some sort of favored position in the winter I think we should have a system in place to give homeowners who don't occupy their dwelling for an extended period a discount on their amenity fee, since they pay taxes and amenity fees 12 months a year.

iaudit can you give more insight to the lawsuit for the residents north of 466 you referred to. Is there an article somewhere that we can read about this golf course restriction, this is the first time I've heard about this.....GN

I'm not absolutely positive about this, but I believe the above statement is incorrect. Yes, part of the settlement was a reduction in tee time reservations set aside for the sales dept, but it applied to both exec and adult courses. And I believe it applied to all courses in TV, not just those north of 466. I could be wrong. It happened one time back in the 90's. But I doubt it. :shrug:

What is an adult course????

Adult courses are for those over 30.

Here is a summary of the lawsuit settlement:

http://www.thevillagesfl.us/classactionsettlement.htm

It indicates that there are approximately 26,000 tee times monthly.

I figured it was calculated as follows:

Tee times between 7 AM - 5 PM = 10 hours
times 60 minutes/hour = 600 minutes
Divided by tee time every 9 minutes = 67 tee times per course per day
Times 13 courses on the North Side = 867 tee times per day
times 30 days per month = 26,010 tee times per month.


The settlement only applied to CDD's on the north side, Muncie, therefore I am pretty sure that the tee times only applies to these courses. I have sent an email to Joe Gorman, president of the POA. I will let you know what he says if he answers this questions.

I also do not believe the settlement applied to the championship courses (adult courses?) since our amenity fees do not support these facilities.

At some point in the future, the residents south of 466 will probably have to file their own lawsuit against the developer in order to get him to contribute some money towards the maintenance requirements of the facilities that he sells to the CDD's on an ongoing basis.

Not sure why, but I've referred to the Championship courses by that name since my first day on campus. I always thought that "Championship" in the title or reference was a tad presumptuous.

[QUOTE=Fourpar;185990]bump

One of the big amenities mentioned was the availability of so many golf courses.....I wonder if this has an impact on availability of tee times, particularly on Championship Courses. I'll be it does. And I wonder how many tee times are "set aside" by the Developer for Conventions, Lifestyle Visits (scheduled or not), etc. Does anyone on this forum know?

[QUOTE]

T-times (championship courses) in the years I have been associated with the courses have been set aside only for "Life Style visitors" and the slots (times) have never changed. If there are no "Life Style" golfers the slots are released by late afternoon into the reservation system for villagers to reserve for the next day. NEVER EVER have seen them for conventions, etc. Just another unsubstantiated rumor.

Hope this helps.

Like I said, there is as always the ever so slight possibility that I could be wrong. The odds are very, very slim, something on the order of a minuscule asteroid hitting the head of a pin or the Cubs winning the World Series, but it could happen Stranger things have occurred, like Al Gore & Jimmy Carter winning Nobel Peace Prizes. Bottom line, I - c o u l d - b e - w r o n g.

I prefer the term regulation size courses. Executive is an accepted term for a 'short' course. I use the phrase CC on this site when discussing the regulation courses since it could also mean Country Club course.

Muncie said:

Like I said, there is as always the ever so slight possibility that I could be wrong. The odds are very, very slim, something on the order of a minuscule asteroid hitting the head of a pin or the Cubs winning the World Series, but it could happen Stranger things have occurred, like Al Gore & Jimmy Carter winning Nobel Peace Prizes. Bottom line, I - c o u l d - b e - w r o n g.
'

Just received a email from Joe Gorman, who was involved in the lawsuit, who told me:

"The lawsuit settlement only applies to the VCCDD area north of 466. There is no comparable limit on tee times south of 466."

Guess you know now what the real bottom line is..............the Cubs are going to win the World Series...........NOT.

'