Bad times at Southern Oak golf & the center Bar at Sawgrass…
 

We golfed today at Southern Oaks. On the back 9 today. The Misquitoes were HORRENDOUS!!!
If it was up to me I was ready to quit on hole #12 and go back to the Starter for a credit. But the other guys wanted to stick it out. It just got worse. Especially close to the water…. We passed by a white service truck off the cart path and the side was covered with hundreds of them. It truly ruined the round as we simply had to rush shots. Not fun…

We decided to drown our sorrows with a beer at the center Bar at Sawgrass. The guy buying brought 4 plastic glasses of beer and said “guess how much”. We all guessed $4 a glass. He said they don’t serve in pitchers as we typically get after rounds at other places. And they charged $7.00 per glass!!! Was like almost $30! A pitcher at other TV restaurants is about $13. What a ripoff.

So, we won’t golf at Southern Oaks until fall, and no more Sawgrass. Yikes.

Prices have been posted on here B4 Sorry you guys got taken. $7.00 for Domestic Draft is a crime. Yes I’m cheap my friends and I have already said NO!

Hell, a 6 pack costs about 7 or 8 bucks. Why not just keep some cold ones on ice in your golf cart cooler to have outside with your golf buddies after the round?

Can't say for sure what you saw, but be aware there are tons of "blind mosquitos" in that area of TV. They are midges that don't bite. They look just like the biters.

Southern Oaks motto: Three bucks more gets you all the bugs you can eat.

Absolutely correct. They did not bite, thank goodness. Honestly it was horrible. Swarms. Worse than lovebugs at their worst. When I came home, she looked at my back and I had at least 15 smashed bugs on my back. No doubt were on my shirt and I sat down in the cart.

Don’t they spray for mosquitoes down there as they do north of 44? If they are there, and known, why??? I feel sorry for the homeowners down there. As well as the Turnpike noise, but that’s another thing. Plus the $7.00 beers…. grrrrr.

And just to rub salt in the fresh wound, for that you got to pay green fees that are higher than any other course in the Villages. Ouch!!!!!

Mosquitos last week at golf up north were bad too. I just saw a hamburger for $14 with no sides today at Sawgrass. I don't know why they bought tiny butt sized metal seats for sawgrass for all the big sized crowds

golf
 

what time of day

The Misquitoes were HORRENDOUS!!!

…and it was cart path only today! Takes about 55 minutes to get there in golf cart from 466/Morse.

Why not play golf and go home, why the beer? Would save a lot of money.

And the mosquitos, that’s included in the $3 to play Southern Oaks plus the free turnpike noise and views.

Is there no golf courses outside TV south of 44? Send TV a message and patronize outside the bubble courses which are dirt cheap w a cart in August/September.

And in frigging plastic cup .

More joy coming from the”New” Villages

I live in Hawkins and have never once seen any swarms of blind mosquitoes nor do I hear traffic noise. Also, tell the guy to ask the price before ordering if price is a concern. they have the menus sitting ALL OVER THE BAR with the prices listed. I have to laugh at all you folks who post a thread about prices you paid as if they hid the price from you. As another person said, get yourself a six-pack and load up that cooler.

$6 for a cookie. $14 for a hamburger, no sides. $7 for a plastic cup beer. McGrady's very expensive. People will eventually vote with their feet and go elsewhere.

They might not bite, but they are sure annoying while standing still trying to putt.

Our only solution was to play drive up ready golf, drive up very quickly, no practice strokes, one hit, hop back in and continue driving

Yep, it never ends, those are what you call once a month nickel a hole Budget Golfers, no money left for a beer after paying the greens fees LOL. They won't be back and that will make it easier for those who enjoy and can afford what the south has to offer. Going on 6 years since all the south of 44 bashing started, it will never end nor will the continued growth and building of new amenities way down south.

Over Priced Beer
 

If I asked the price first I'd have said no thanks. If I didn't it would be a long time coming before I bought another one there. It has nothing to do with north / south but everything about getting g ripped off. Besides beer in a plastic cup belongs on the course, tailgating a football game or at a baseball stadium. Pretty low standards to serve beer in a plastic cup at the clubhouse.

For the self-serving person who said if you cannot afford it don't play or come to south villages. I'd bet that 80% of TV has more than you, especially class. If your philosophy represents that of southern population I'm glad I live in the better part. Snobs have no place in our community. We're all here to enjoy what life has to offer not count your money.

Oh no, now seat size is a topic for complaint.
As you visit various venues in TV, have a tape measure handy to get the size.
Post here, size and most important location…..thereby the bashers can pick which to respond to.
(Makes the butt size comment even more silly.)

Beer always taste better in a frosty plastic cup....

From the OP to address a few comments here. Our tee time was 1pm. The Starter told us they just cancelled the cart path only on ALL holes, guess the course dried out enough. That made the round ok. But those mosquitoes again were horrendous. Swarms of hundreds if not 1000s. We could not believe it. Again I would have bailed after 2 holes. The 3 others, let’s go on…. And as for asking beer prices at the Bar… really??? Each week one of us buys the pitcher of beer. Typically $13 or so. Frosty mug and works out to about 1.5 beers each. Would never go back… I guess it’s a captive audience thing. What other options in the area???

The primary issue is the lack of amenities in the southern section of The Villages and that will continue. The business model for the south, is different than the older sections of The Villages and shows no sign of changing. There's only 1 reasonably accessible golf course and it's glorified pit. When you're the only game in town, you can be unreasonable with pricing, quality and playability.

In my opinion, the southern areas of The Villages are marketed with smoke & mirrors. It's nothing like northern area and never will be. It doesn't look like The Villages, it doesn't "feel" like The Villages and the demographic is different.

I think the reason for serving beer in a plastic cup is because the seating in the area is also used by other restaurants. So, some people are only picking up a beer to take to a table and eat. I guess they could use glass mugs at the bar only, but it may be difficult to control. If you are just going there to drink it doesn't seem to be a comfortable bar atmosphere.

Seems the OP was just stating the facts about his experience. Then the usual protectors of the land South of 44 came out in attack mode.

It's Florida and this place was a swamp.. bring repellant with you and spray it on before you leave... can't say much about the price of beer.

Imagine that bugs and inflated prices in the villages. Who knew!!!! Lol

The blind mosquitos, like the love bugs, are a short-lived seasonal appearance. They'll be gone soon enough. The land that has been developed south of SR44 is still very wild, whereas northern areas pushed the wildlife and insects out many years ago. Plus, there is a much higher ratio of wetlands and preserves down south. This is all part of the growing pain. Now, the price of beer at Sawgrass & McGrady's...I agree that is straight up gouging. Then again, the prices are not a secret. Vote with your wallet. I do.

By the way, I saw two pairs of love bugs on my front porch yesterday. They're making an early appearance.

I play golf 3X week, all over TV. Swamp or not, NEVER had issues as yesterday at Southern Oaks. Sometimes Love Bugs when they are active, but seldom if ever, flies, ants, or mosquitoes. I’m not a complainer. Just wanted to share re our experience yesterday. Take it or leave it. Simply FYI.

Yup very typical

Southern Oaks
 

Not to pile on BUT, Pizzas can not be changed from menu, side salads are exactly the same salad at Willey and pizza place both served in a plastic container at that price. $14 burger with sides served in paper. $16 fried shrimp no side served on paper. $7 beers served in plastic. $4 mini desserts. I do like the Village Green store. The price of golf is more that other established courses. The prices at the Irish pub are over the top. Southern Oaks is set up to fail. The prices are set up like it is an upscale country club but served like it is a cheap food court in the mall. I Love The Villages but totally disagree with how Southern Oaks is set up.

Boycott Sawgrass then they may lower prices. Not a fan of Southern Oaks — boring and no shade.

That’s how I always like to play, mosquitoes or not. It’s the easiest way to get into and stay in a good rhythm.

I agree. But, basically, it is a food court with shared seating. That is why they need to use paper and plastic containers.

Agree, one of the better suggestions.

That, and with the labor shortage it eliminates the need for a full time dishwasher.

The OP again. Did not want to “pile on”, but since it was brought up…. Southern Oaks can be classified as boring. IMO. The fairways are quite wide, mainly because there are few trees around, esp OAKS. Hardly any areas of shade. And yes, kind of a boring course. Would not call it pretty. Yesterday was the 2nd time we played there, and honestly the last for a while as we enjoy other Champ courses so much more - mosquitoes or not. Not worth the trip.

:a20:

And those of us that live here wouldn't have it any other way. Amenities are not lacking in the south, there are lots of new ones that aren't available in the north and several new premier golf courses have been announced. The north was built over a 30 year time period, south of 44 started 5-1/2 years ago, I think we have quite a lot down her in such a short time and we are getting the new hospital too. The developers are working hard to keep us all happy and happy we are with very few exceptions.

Played Harbor Hills a couple of Sundays ago and the blind mosquitos on the back nine were over the top ! Beer prices there are also over the top !

McGrady’s has a “happy hour” from 3-5 pm when you can get domestic drafts for $3 bucks . And their glasses are a full pint. Don’t know if that applies on weekends.

Best price for beer is at Mallory. $8 (or so) for a pitcher $2 and some change for a glass.

Worst for beer prices are Fenney Grill and Havana where they get you for $15/$16 + for a pitcher.