With a population of more than 50,000 and the expectation of another 5,000 more, one of the fastest growing “active adult communities” in the country is doing the obvious — adding a golf course.

Construction of The Villages, FL, started 25 years ago, but work hasn’t ended on the largest single-site real estate development in the United States.

Landirr Inc. of Sanford, FL, which specializes in golf courses and recreational facilities, is building the course — its fifth just within The Villages.

Landirr is in charge of finish shaping around the bunkers and greens, placing sod and installing irrigation and drainage for the 27-hole course. Another contractor will put in the grass for the fairways and greens.

The crew’s task will be assisted by an equipment fleet that includes two loaders (a John Deere and a Komatsu), five Massey-Ferguson tractors, a Vermeer trencher, a John Deere backhoe, two John Deere dozers and two JCB 718 trucks.

“The advantage of the small JCB trucks is they can run on paved roads without damaging them. The 718s are a lot more versatile in this type of work that a larger truck,” said Joe Baker, project superintendent.

The JCBs are being used on this job to haul bunker sand, a special mix for the greens, and gravel. Hauls can run up to 2 mi., both on- and off-road.

Landirr has 14 men on the project, seven of whom are installing the irrigation system, while the others work on the finishing crew. Most of the work is being done with machines, but the workers have to hand finish around the bunkers.

The general contractor for The Villages is Graham Brothers Construction Co. CEG

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