Golfers Still Teed Off About Loss of Range Lights

Nearly 200 people have signed a petition asking that the lights at the and kept on until at least 9:00pm.

A University City resident submitted the 196 signatures to councilmembers at Monday's meeting. He said keeping the driving range lights off is an embarrassment to the whole community.

The lights were reportedly disabled in January after some residents near the range complained they were too bright. In May, City Manager Lehman Walker made the decision to permanently shut off the lights. The action riled some residents, who were unhappy that Walker made the decision with little community input. Even a committee of driving range neighbors and golf enthusiast formed at Walker's behest to look at the lighting complaints did not recommend eliminating the lights altogether.

Meanwhile, William Field, a vocal critic of the driving range praised the city manager's decision to turn off the lights. "It's inconceivable to think that anyone could believe that stadium lighting located adjacent to a residential neighborhood is appropriate."

Following Monday's council meeting, Walker told U City Patch that the fate of the driving range lights is under review. He said the City has hired a landscape architect that is looking into the lighting issue.

"He will be providing us (University City) with some recommendations dealing with the driving range, which will include screening and how we should address the whole issue of lights." Walker said he anticipates getting the recommendations in the next month or two.

"And then I'll make a decision with respect to the lights," said Walker. "Any decision at this time would be premature," he said.