Great Shotgun Golf
 

Before I left TV a couple of weeks ago I played several rounds of golf at the Spruce Creek Preserve on Rt 200, and the Continental on Rt. 44 just east of Wildwood. We got a foursome together and signed up for their weekly shotgun rounds. Continental advertises it in the Sun, 1:00 pm on Wednesday for $24 a person. The Preserve did theirs at 8:00 am ($24), and 12:45 pm ($20), also on Wednesdays.

Both courses are excellent and we were surprised that things were so efficiently run. No waiting on tees despite 2 foursomes starting at each hole. It was really worth it!

Continental..EXCELLENT?!?!?!?1 It's a cow pasture, I'm sorry. The layout would be ok, the condition is horrible. A friend who doesn't live in The Villages didn't want to pay the higher non-resident rate to play here, so I agreed to go somewhere else. He picked Continental. Not only was the place in terrible shape, the ranger was rude, the members were rude. At one point, the ranger came up and said four lady members behind us would have to play thru. I asked him where were they going to go? We couldn't be playing any faster, because the people in front of us, and the people in front of them, etc.etc. He said well, members have preference. I said what, you going to have them play thru everyone, until they catch up to other members?? He finally agreed, after taking a couple more swigs out of his flask. You would NEVER see this happen at any course in The Villages. Other people I have talked to have had similar expieriences there, also. Now, haven't been to Spruce Creek yet, but have friends there, and have heard many people say it is very nice, and a good experience.

Call me old fashioned but I still think you should use clubs instead of shotguns to play golf.

We played Pennbrooke Fairways and Harbor Hills last week. Pennbrooke was a little out of shape with some weeds in the fairways and the greens were a bit shaggy in late afternoon. We went around the Sanctuary course twice for a regulation 18 and were nearly alone on the second loop. Harbor Hills was in much better shape. The greens are very true there. They don't tolerate slow play. Fortunately our group plays at pace. According to the posted rules, after two warnings, slow players are asked to leave the course. No refund.

I would love to see what would happen if we were "asked to leave the course" and responded, "sure, after we finish our round which we paid for". Now there's "shotgun golf". Can you see the Sheriff being called.... "we got a slow 4-some here sheriff.... come an get em":police: