Neighbors Irked by Golf Center Lights

The driving range at Tom Barber’s Golf Center is out of this world.

At least that’s the view of some neighbors, who say the beaming lights resemble something along the lines of a spacecraft launch pad rather than a place to work on one’s backswing.

Whatever the case, Tom Barber’s Golf Center, in county territory on Tierra Rejada Road, has caused some grumbling among Moorpark residents since it opened a couple of weeks ago.

“The lighting is totally unsatisfactory,” Moorpark resident Gary Lowenberg said. “There shouldn’t be massive stadium lighting just so they could stay open until 10 o’clock at night. It’s a poor use of open space.”

While the bright lights might not be as noticeable now because it gets dark later, in the winter the glare would be unbearable, Lowenberg added.

But Steve Carr, a Moorpark resident who often commutes back and forth on the Moorpark Freeway to meet clients, said the lights aren’t a big deal.

“You can never have any change without making someone unhappy,” Carr said. “I still intend to use the facility so that I can improve my golf game.”

City Council members are also unsatisfied with the lighting at the facility.

“My worst nightmare has come true,” Councilman John Wozniak said. “This is exactly what I complained about two years ago to the county. There is nothing there blocking the light at all. It’s going straight up.”

Tom Barber, owner of the driving range, said he has complied with the conditional use permit given to him by the county.

“We are within the boundaries of the [conditional use permit],” Barber said. “But we are aware of the lights, and we are going to do some adjusting in the next week.”