Happy Labor Day, Villagers! 🇺🇸 Whether you’re grilling, golfing, or just soaking up a long weekend, we’ve got a packed issue for you today. From the kickoff of our new feature series on Championship Golf Courses to a fresh round of events, live music, and local business buzz, consider this your guide to wrapping up summer with style in The Villages.

On this day in 1985 – The wreck of the Titanic was discovered on the ocean floor, 73 years after it sank.

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Let’s dive in.

— Kevin Rogers, Publisher

Poll Of The Week

⛳ Today we’re teeing off a brand-new multi-part feature on The Villages’ Championship Golf Courses, the gems that define our community’s golf culture. And what better way to start than by asking you to weigh in? Which Championship course is your personal favorite, the one that keeps you coming back for more? Cast your vote below! Our software limits polls to 10 answers so we’ve broken this into two polls.

The Championship Courses of The Villages

A Villages Pulse Multi-Part Feature Series

⛳ If you ask a Villager what makes this community special, golf is always near the top of the list. But did you know the championship courses here weren’t always a given? In fact, the very first one opened back in the 1980s — Orange Blossom Hills — and it sparked a movement that would help make The Villages the largest golf community in the world.

Over the next several issues, we’ll take you on a tour through the history of our championship golf courses — from Orange Blossom Hills in the north to Southern Oaks in the south. Along the way, we’ll share stories, fun facts, and resident memories that show how golf became the heartbeat of life in The Villages.

Chapter 1 – Orange Blossom Hills: The First Championship Course

Before The Villages became the golf capital of the world, it all started here. Orange Blossom Hills Golf Club, opening in the mid-1980s, was the very first championship course in the community. Built near Spanish Springs, it featured a full 18-hole layout and, just as importantly, a country club that gave residents their first taste of “the lifestyle.”

The course quickly became a northern hub. Its Spanish-inspired architecture, complete with arches and fountains, gave it personality. And the clubhouse, topped by its iconic water tower, became a landmark still recognized today.

For many early residents, Orange Blossom Hills was their introduction to championship golf — and it proved that The Villages could deliver far more than just shuffleboard and casual recreation. It was the spark that ignited what would eventually become the largest golf community in the world.

Fun Fact: The Orange Blossom Hills water tower still stands today, a beloved symbol of The Villages’ earliest championship days.

Open House of The Week

📅 Open House: Sunday, September 7th, 12–2 pm
Presented by: Sandra Pinkley | [email protected] | 918.814.4832

5783 Zebra Longwing Path – Village of Fenney

Last weeks listing was super popular, but I think this weeks is a Villages home that truly has everything! This waterfront gem delivers space, luxury upgrades, and peace of mind with top-to-bottom improvements, with plenty of room for a POOL! Check it out and you’ll see why it’s one of Fenney’s most impressive listings (with a fresh $10,000 price reduction!):

• Expanded floorplan with 2,321 sq. ft. of living space

• Florida room with mini-split A/C and double stacking doors

• 3M UV-blocking window film (2025)

• Whole-house Generac generator (2022)

• Pegasus whole house water filtration + softener (2025)

• VersaLift attic storage system

• Screened lanai (2021) & brick patio with railing

• Lightning Rod Protection!

• Epoxy garage floor, insulated doors, cabinetry & workbench

🚨 Yamaha Issues Recalls on Popular Golf Cars

I got an early heads up from General Manager Nate Pettinato at Country Village Power Equipment and Golf Cars in Webster that Yamaha is announcing two new safety recalls covering more than 100,000 PTV Drive2 golf cars (2016–2024 models)—a lineup widely used here in The Villages.

• Brake Light Recall – I am unclear whether this one applies to many Villagers carts, but it doesn’t hurt to confirm. You can enter your cart’s serial number on your dealer’s site or directly at Country Village Power Equipment’s recall lookup.

• Drive2 Limo Recall – This one is definitely an important safety concern. All factory “Limo” (4Forward) models are affected and will require a braking system upgrade to improve stopping performance.

Repairs are performed free of charge at any authorized Yamaha dealer, including Country Village Power Equipment in Webster, just south of The Villages.

👉 If you own a Drive2 model, check your serial number today at countryvillagepower.com to see if you’re covered.

**This is NOT a sponsored post

🩺 Screening Spotlight

Sponsored By Life Line Screening

👀 Eye Exam for Glaucoma: Catching Vision Loss Early

Why pressure checks matter after 60

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness—but it often starts with no symptoms. Regular eye exams that include an intraocular pressure check and optic nerve evaluation can detect glaucoma early, when treatment is most effective.

The test is painless: your eye care provider uses a puff of air or a gentle probe to measure eye pressure, plus imaging or visual field testing to spot subtle vision loss.

👉 Who performs it: You can be screened during a comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist (doctor of optometry) or an ophthalmologist (medical doctor specializing in eye disease). Both can diagnose glaucoma; ophthalmologists can also perform surgery if needed.

Who should consider it?
✅ Everyone 60+ (even without symptoms)
✅ Anyone with a family history of glaucoma
✅ People with diabetes or high blood pressure
✅ African Americans over 40, or Hispanics over 60 (higher risk)

💡 Takeaway: A yearly comprehensive eye exam can save your sight. Book with your optometrist or ophthalmologist before vision changes occur—by the time you notice, damage may already be permanent.

Business News

Harry and the Natives Opens Strong in The Villages

The brand-new Harry and the Natives restaurant at Lake Okahumpka made a splash with its sudden soft opening last week, bringing Old-Florida charm, live music, and scratch-made food to Villagers hungry for something fresh. Early guests are raving about both the flavors and the waterfront tiki-style vibe. They even opened up the bar from Noon - 3 pm for the holiday weekend! Check out their Facebook page to keep up with expanding hours.

Upcoming Events

Want a Featured Event with a poster/image? Reach out.

Shirley’s Senior No Limit Holdem | Oxford Downs | Sept 1 | Details

V4V Quarterly Bingo Night | Lake Miona Rec | Mon Sept 1 | 6 PM | Details

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Basics of Golf | Palmer Legends | Sept 2 | 9 am | Details

🏌️ New To Golf Putting & Chipping | Palmer | Sept 2 | 11am | Details

Joaniefit Kickboxing | Sawgrass | Wed Sept 3 | 9 am | Details

🏌️‍♀️ Ladies Only Full Swing Clinic | Palmer Legends | Sept 3 | Details

⛳️ Joey’s Short Game Clinic | Sarasota | Thu Sept 4 | 7:30 am | Details

🥁 Genesis/Phil Collins Tribute | Sparacia Winery | Sept 4 | 6pm | Details

🏅 Sport Card & Collectible Show & Sale | Savannah Rec | Sept 6 | Details

Firehouse Hot Glass Fusion Show/Sale | Rohan Rec | Sept 6 | Details

🎸 Tribute To Van Halen | Whispering Oaks | Sept 11 | Details

🎹 Dueling Pianos Uncensored | Reilly Center Ocala | Sept 12 | Details

🎤 Donna Moor Diva Legends | Old Mill Playhouse | Sept 15 | Details

Have an event you want to announce to 6,820+ local Villagers? Email us the details and a link to [email protected]

Live Music Lowdown

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thanks!

That’s a wrap for this special Labor Day edition of Villages Pulse. Thanks for spending part of your holiday with us — we’ll keep bringing you the news, events, and stories that make life here unique. Enjoy the rest of your long weekend, and we’ll see you again Thursday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of 6,820+ local Villagers? Reach out here.