Wind Knocks Over Golf Course Trees

High winds toppled poles and trees at the Lake Lindero Country Club’s golf course and driving range Tuesday night. The greens were empty and no one was injured.

“The winds hit at such a force . . . that we lost trees on the golf course, golf course furniture and four of our wooden support poles that hold the barrier netting” on the driving range, said David V. Smith, president of the club’s operator, Golf Projects International.

He estimated the cost of repairing damage at $50,000.

The fallen poles and netting are on the far end of the driving range, about 250 yards from where golfers tee off, and will not require the facility to close, Smith said.

The driving range has been the subject of numerous complaints to the city’s Planning Commission from neighboring homeowners, who say their homes and yards are hit by errant golf balls, and that the bright lights and noise of the club are disturbing.

“We’ve heard their complaints and their concerns, and the Planning Commission has directed the operator to correct those problems and that’s what [Smith’s] working on,” said David Anderson, the city’s director of community development.

Smith installed test lights that shine from the ground up Tuesday as a demonstration for nearby residents and planning commissioners, who will determine whether they are a preferable alternative to pole lights.