Originally Posted by swooner (Post 2185318)

This thread has digressed from the original intent of the Post. It has nothing to do with Executive Golf. It pertains only to Championship Golf where Priority Members rights are being violated by groups not adhering to the principles of the Tee Time System. I have also learned that many of these groups have less than 32 members and are still being allowed to play without using the Tee Time System. Anyone who has paid for a priority membership should complain to Golf Administration as rights you have paid good money for are being infringed on by this dubious 32 player privilege stupidity.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2185322)

Swooned, did you find out if you need a priority enhancement to participate or if this is a de facto work around for priority?

Originally Posted by Janie123 (Post 2185312)

I believe the 32+ group of golfers is for summer only and is for after 1:00PM. And it’s only for approx 2/3 of the executive courses.

Golf The Villages

Originally Posted by JGibson (Post 2185372)

Maybe they should get rid of priority/enhanced all together.

Originally Posted by swooner (Post 2185318)

This thread has digressed from the original intent of the Post. It has nothing to do with Executive Golf. It pertains only to Championship Golf where Priority Members rights are being violated by groups not adhering to the principles of the Tee Time System. I have also learned that many of these groups have less than 32 members and are still being allowed to play without using the Tee Time System. Anyone who has paid for a priority membership should complain to Golf Administration as rights you have paid good money for are being infringed on by this dubious 32 player privilege stupidity.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2185306)

As of right now, there are 16 single spots open at Palmer tomorrow, between the hours of 8 am - 2 pm.

There are 12 single spots open at Cane Garden.

There are 28 spots available at Mallory.

There are 14 spots available at Belle Glade.

By tomorrow, there'll be nary a spot available at any of those courses.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2185529)

By my count, you are WAAAAY off. There are well more than 200 open spots for tomorrow, alone...

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2185593)

Probably 100 at OBH.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2185430)

That's not going to happen. The Enhanced Membership is a huge money maker for TV.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2185529)

By my count, you are WAAAAY off. There are well more than 200 open spots for tomorrow, alone...

Originally Posted by JGibson (Post 2185732)

Sounds like a scam if what the OP is saying is true.

Could even be something challenged in the courts. It's a monetary legal agreement.

I doubt we would actually win but it would shed a big spotlight on TV business practices.

Maybe the V-N would pick up the story. lol.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2185748)

That doesn’t seem too bad. The post on revenue indicated there are 4300 tee times (I won’t audit his math). Less than 5% seems okay.

I would guess, for 9 months out of the year, there is 25% availability the day before.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2185749)

Has anyone actually read the terms and conditions of the enhanced membership? I haven’t - I base my decision to get it based on 3 sentences on the web site.
I would think, they thought about that when they designed the system.

Let me see, let’s build a multi billion industry, but not think about the legal exposure of the enhanced tee time system.

Originally Posted by swooner (Post 2184692)

It recently came to my attention that The Villages Golf Administration provides special privileges to groups of 32 or more members. This highly unadvertised practice enables groups of that size or larger to pre-establish regular recurring Tee Times at various Villages courses. At least two courses, OBH and Lopez Legacy, and possibly more, prebook these groups on a regular weekly basis to the detriment of Priority Members who compete for Tee Times through TV Tee Time System. These privileged groups include both Priority and Non-Priority Golfers.

Paying an annual Priority Membership Fee ($777) is supposed to provide certain privileges such as having priority for booking over groups that include non-Priority members. All groups in addition are supposed to be prioritized for booking purposes based on total group playing points that have been accumulated during the past 7 days. By pre booking groups of 32 or more players irrespective of these rules, Golf Administration has established a prejudicial procedure in violation of the benefits upon which they sell Priority Memberships.

After referring this issue to Golf Administration, I was essentially told, sorry, that's the way it is. It seems that they don't care if they violate the very precepts under which they sell Priority memberships to the detriment of all of us Priority members who play by the rules. If enough of you express your concerns about this to Golf Administration, perhaps they will be obliged to review and eliminate this practice that clearly violates the terms under which Priority Memberships are sold.

Originally Posted by John Mayes (Post 2185890)

It’s explained on Golfthevillages.com.

Golf The Villages

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2185984)

The only description I could find, is attached. It says you get "priority access to Tee Times .... "

I guess it's a little deceptive

Originally Posted by John Mayes (Post 2186036)

This is on the website;

Championship Course Group Day Information
Do you have a group of 8 - 32 players that would like to play together once a week?

We have created Group Days on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for you! This simply means that groups of 8 - 32 will have preference for Tee Times from 7:28 to 9:28 at Tierra Del Sol, Hacienda, Cane Garden, Mallory Hill, Evans Prairie and Belle Glade opposite the courses scheduled for Men's and Ladies' Day. The window of request should be that of the entire morning wave (7:28 - 9:28), and should include any / all of the following courses: Tierra Del Sol, Hacienda Hills, Cane Garden, and Mallory Hill, Evans Prairie, and Belle Glade and should have a minimum of 8 players. For further information please call the Tee Time Office at 750-4558.

Group Day Course Schedule

February 14 and 15 - Hacienda Hills, Cane Garden and Evans Prairie
February 21 and 22 - Hacienda Hills, Mallory Hill and Belle Glade
February 28 - Tierra Del Sol, Cane Garden and Evans Prairie

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2185593)

Probably 100 at OBH.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2186053)

I thought you were kidding, until I looked at open tee times tomorrow (SUNDAY) at Orange Blossom Hills, it’s easier to count the tee times taken than the ones available.

Is it the course or the location?

Originally Posted by swooner (Post 2186074)

All the courses are virtually empty every Sunday. Not so busy Saturdays either.

Originally Posted by John Mayes (Post 2186036)

This is on the website;

Championship Course Group Day Information
Do you have a group of 8 - 32 players that would like to play together once a week?

We have created Group Days on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for you! This simply means that groups of 8 - 32 will have preference for Tee Times from 7:28 to 9:28 at Tierra Del Sol, Hacienda, Cane Garden, Mallory Hill, Evans Prairie and Belle Glade opposite the courses scheduled for Men's and Ladies' Day. The window of request should be that of the entire morning wave (7:28 - 9:28), and should include any / all of the following courses: Tierra Del Sol, Hacienda Hills, Cane Garden, and Mallory Hill, Evans Prairie, and Belle Glade and should have a minimum of 8 players. For further information please call the Tee Time Office at 750-4558.

Group Day Course Schedule

February 14 and 15 - Hacienda Hills, Cane Garden and Evans Prairie
February 21 and 22 - Hacienda Hills, Mallory Hill and Belle Glade
February 28 - Tierra Del Sol, Cane Garden and Evans Prairie

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2186231)

Thank you. I couldn't find that ... sort of like the Tee Ball I hit yesterday, on the 3rd hole at TDS.

Originally Posted by John Mayes (Post 2186234)

LOL. First time, I tried posting the link but it didn’t work. So, second time I did a copy and paste.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2186087)

Fair point. Belle Glade was pretty open Sunday too

I looked at Tuesday, OBS, 40 tee times taken, 33 by groups of 6 or 9

Originally Posted by Debra.t.robinson (Post 2184942)

It seems as if this practice also protects long term residents from losing established routines.

Having a neighborhood or local group allows for a stronger community. Whether the group plays 1 or 2 times a month, or weekly, what a great way to meet and maintain connections with your neighbors.

Anyone can start a group, therefore, if this practice bothers you, start a group, establish a routine, meet more than 1 - 3 other people who share your interests.

Originally Posted by Tyson (Post 2184965)

This has been going on for more than 20 years. These groups support golf in TV all year long and all players must be priority. In peak season TV gives the leader around 4 courses to chose from. You'll never get TV to stop this.Get a group of 32 and you can join the fun.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2186231)

Thank you. I couldn't find that ... sort of like the Tee Ball I hit yesterday, on the 3rd hole at TDS.

Originally Posted by kkingston57 (Post 2186243)

Bet there are a lot of substitutes. Sign up a priority(enhanced) player, that player cancels and a non priority person plays.

Originally Posted by kkingston57 (Post 2186240)

We do not pay +/- $900 a year so that others can establish a routine(and get preferred tee times). I chose to buy a priority (now called enhanced membership) to bet better tee times. If I did not have so many good friends who I play with would leave TV in a heartbeat. Courses(except Glenview) are courses that should cost no more than $35 a round.

Originally Posted by JGibson (Post 2186538)

Do that enough times and you will get a very disturbing phone call.

My buddy got that call.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2186053)

I thought you were kidding, until I looked at open tee times tomorrow (SUNDAY) at Orange Blossom Hills, it’s easier to count the tee times taken than the ones available.

Is it the course or the location?

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2186558)

Should be more than a call - i.e. additional points stick to your account for 2 or 3 weeks

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2185232)

You're welcome to check my math, I did it this morning before coffee:

There are approximately 90 Tee Times per 27 Hole Golf Course in Prime Time (1st/2nd Wave). That equals 360 Players per course. There are (10) 27 Hole courses. That equals 3600 players.

Between 8 a.m. & 3:00 PM there are 57 Tee Times at the 18 hole courses. 228 Players/course/per day. That totals 684 Players

Total Play = 4300/day. I calculated the Average Greens Fee Yield = $70. Multiply 4300 players at $70 and you get $301,000.00

Not every Tee Time has a foursome and there are some 9 holers. That said, the cheapest 18 Hole Rate is OBH at $34 + the fees paid for "Enhanced Membership". The lowest rate at most course is $67 (or $49 + Enhanced Membership"). Guest & Non-Resident is substantially higher. Again, I estimated the yield at $70. It could be $62 or even $59. That doesn't change the equation very much.

How much does the "average" golfer spend when he plays golf? Some % take carts. Guests take carts. Many have a beer or lunch ... or, 12 beers and no lunch. How many people take "practice balls"? I figured about $20 a person. It could be less.

If the actually yield is only $50/Person for Greens Fees and the average player spends only $10, the daily total is still $275,000/Day. That's nearly $2,000,000 per week. I'd say that's a significant Cash Cow for the Developer.

Just to give you some basis for comparison, there were 2,562,000 rounds of golf played on The Villages 42 Executive Courses in 2022. That's 167 (9 Hole) Rounds per day. An 18 Hole Championship Course can handle upwards of 250 Players per day and a 27 Hole facility can handle over 375 per day.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2186667)

If I'm not mistaken, Points are reset every Sunday.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2186236)

It's like that at every golf course I know. The other quirk about Sundays, are afternoons are typical "teach your wife/girlfriend to play golf" day. Those days can be painfully slow.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2186558)

Should be more than a call - i.e. additional points stick to your account for 2 or 3 weeks

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2186664)

Add in "course design" and you have the trifecta!

Originally Posted by swooner (Post 2184692)

It recently came to my attention that The Villages Golf Administration provides special privileges to groups of 32 or more members. This highly unadvertised practice enables groups of that size or larger to pre-establish regular recurring Tee Times at various Villages courses. At least two courses, OBH and Lopez Legacy, and possibly more, prebook these groups on a regular weekly basis to the detriment of Priority Members who compete for Tee Times through TV Tee Time System. These privileged groups include both Priority and Non-Priority Golfers.

Paying an annual Priority Membership Fee ($777) is supposed to provide certain privileges such as having priority for booking over groups that include non-Priority members. All groups in addition are supposed to be prioritized for booking purposes based on total group playing points that have been accumulated during the past 7 days. By pre booking groups of 32 or more players irrespective of these rules, Golf Administration has established a prejudicial procedure in violation of the benefits upon which they sell Priority Memberships.

After referring this issue to Golf Administration, I was essentially told, sorry, that's the way it is. It seems that they don't care if they violate the very precepts under which they sell Priority memberships to the detriment of all of us Priority members who play by the rules. If enough of you express your concerns about this to Golf Administration, perhaps they will be obliged to review and eliminate this practice that clearly violates the terms under which Priority Memberships are sold.