Priority Pool Membership..and Havana CC!
 

I am truly not writing this to bash Havana CC...however.....

We purchased the priority pool membership when we moved to TV in August..and yesterday was the first day we had the opportunity to use it!

After a beautiful morning golfing at Bacall, we decided to continue our day by having Bloody Mary's and lunch at the pool at Havana. We chose our chaise's, got all set up and waited for the server to approach us and ask for our order. He started toward us, wished us a good afternoon and started to continue on his way. I asked him if he was taking orders for drinks and lunch and he told us that "I am no longer serving lunch out here because of issues" and that if we wanted something, we had to go inside to the bar and order ourselves. We were somewhat taken aback and VERY disappointed.

I went to the bar and the same server passed by and apologized. I told him I didn't understand why he couldn't serve us outside and he started to tell me about the "issues". It seems sometimes they can and sometimes they can't serve out at the pool, but before he could tell me why, the bartender spoke up and told him to tell everyone they just had to come inside to order. I am assuming that the order came from management and he was doing what he was told to do.

I ordered wings and nachos which were delivered by the bartender about 10 minutes later. They were brought in "to go" containers...no plates and 2 little packs of condiments (fork, knife, one napkin). It is literally impossible to eat wings and nachos and use just one napkin.

For those that might ask, no, I did not complain to management because I really didn't want to waste my precious time around the pool since it was my only day off from work and I didn't want to give up any sun time to go searching for someone in charge.

I am just wondering if the other country clubs do the same thing? If yes, then we will give up our "priority pool membership" since the reason we purchased it in the first place was to have the opportunity to enjoy lunch around the pool.

Thanks in advance for any advice and comments!

We go to Mallory pool quite a bit when warm, but more for pool and happy hour. I have never seen any service by the pool. I have always had to go in and order.

Ceejay, ask the management. They will have the answer and if it is TV wide or just at a given pool.

Sorry, I meant to add no need to get in a lengthy discussion just ask what the rules are. If you find it's TV wide and is not what you expected, then talk to someone in charge of the whole program.

Might sound dumb, but we havn't moved to TV yet. What is a priority pool membership?

Some have ZERO poolside service.

That is a secret and once you are a Villager we may or may not share that info with you...................no, no only kidding. You can go here for an explanation.
http://www.golfthevillages.com/tee-times/membership.asp

The last I checked the priority pool at Lopez (the Oasis) still had pool side service for both priority and non-priority members.

Don't shoot the messenger at Havana. The pool is under the direction of the golf division, not the management of Havana.

Havana seems to have had a bumpy road regarding service ever since its opening. I "think" there is a private contractor running the food service area. I know there have been serveral managers in a short time. My experience is that most of the staff tries to do well but the rules apparently change quite often.

BogieShooter supplied you a link with costs of a priority pool membership but it does not explain just what it is. There are many, many pools here in The Villages: neighborhood pools, adult pools, resident pools, and country club pools. Country club pools are located near many of the country clubs and usually have poolside refreshments and sometimes entertainment. All the pools in The Villages are free except for the country club pools where you either need a priority golf membership or a priority pool membership.

Thanks Bogie Shooter and Ooper, we will check it out when we arrive, good info.

It is $200 for a single and $260 for couple for one year.

Thanks for the responses!

When we were here for our LSP in June, we visited the Havana pool as guests of friends who had the "priority pool membership" and it was great!

We had a nice lunch outside with a very personable waitress...and I guess I assumed that it would be the same forever...hence, the "priority" membership.

But, then again, you know what they say about "assuming"!:ohdear:

Pools & foodservice
 

I haven't checked the "rules" in a while, but the only country club pools that I have ever known to have food service were Lopez and Hacienda Hillls. The rest of the pools required you to go inside to get your own food. Glenview's restaurant is not even near the country club pool. The priority membership is so you have access to ALL country club pools instead of just your own neighborhood country club pool. For example, if you lived in Mallory Hill or Amelia, etc., you would have access to Mallory Hill country club pool at no extra expense. But if you are not priority, you could not use Cane Garden, Havana, Glenview, etc. country club pools. To my knowledge, that has never changed.

O.B. has excellent poolside svc

Could anyone verify this? I was always under the impression that country club pools were for the exclusive use of priority members and their guests.

This part is not correct to my knowledge. Without a priority membership you do not have access to ANY country club pools.

As stated previously you can go into the poolside dining area at Lopez, but not in the pool area, not sure if Hacianda allows that...

Sorry. I mistyped -- I meant Lopez and OBH not Hacienda Hills. Spend most of my time on the south side now and pulled the "wrong name from the back of my brain." Everyone has free access to AT LEAST one country club pool -- the one for your neighborhood. There are different levels of priority memberships for other country club pools and championship golf courses. Unless the rules have changed since '03 -- and that could very well be.

This is NEWS to me.... interesting and can research, but not the way I understand it.

Maybe the priority pool pass is only good for the pools in the CC's that you have the priority pool pass to. And if you have a priority golf pass to say 3 courses, maybe the priority pool privileges is only good for those pools?

I don't have a priority anything so I am just speculating.

Not sure how I missed this :)

http://www.golfthevillages.com/pools

I think you are confusing Country Club pool with neighborhood pool? Obviously you, as a resident, can use any neighborhood, rec center or sports pool that you wish.

The pools at the golf courses are for priority members and/or those that purchased pool add-ons. See the earlier links for more info. Without these you can't use the country club pools regardless of which neighborhood they are in. At least that is my interpretation.

Russ,

Your interpretation is correct.

As to Havana, friends purchased a priority pool membership last year and would enjoy a day at the pool with poolside lunch service. Brought friends & family when they visited. They were impressed. They said it was like going to a resort for the day, without the hassle.
Then at the end of last year, they went to the pool and were told that Havana could no longer offer this service.
Developer said it wasn't allowed.

It's really a shame, I was thinking of purching the priority membership, getting away for a day in the neighborhood sounded like a good idea.

Don't think my friends are renewing.
:sad:

" Everyone has free access to AT LEAST one country club pool -- the one for your neighborhood"

Moongirl, I find this interesting. My hubby keeps telling me that he heard everyone who lives on historic side can use OB Pool (we live in Silver Lake). I didn't think that was true....but from what you say it might be??? Does anyone else know:shrug::shrug:

There's my answer....guess it was just another one of those golf course rumors:(:(

Our experience EXACTLY...which is why I am so disappointed.:sigh:

In a way, I feel like we were somewhat mislead. I had a hard time justifying spending $260 for a "pool membership", since we have 3 great pools within 3 minutes of our home. We wanted the "resort" experience and also wanted to take our guests to a nice pool and lunch when they come to visit.

I am going to fill out the "Villages Resident Survey" today. I hope there will be an opportunity to express my feelings on the subject.

Thanks again for all the comments!

imho why not call t-time office or stop at a championship course where they also have the information (application) that lists all the possibilities of priority membership and their costs. The web site mentioned is good but didn't list the prices.

Chuck - ask and you shall receive:

http://golfthevillages.com/tee-times/membership.asp

Application link is also on that page:

http://golfthevillages.com/images/pr...pplication.pdf

Thanks Russ. Good info