College Driving Range to Stay Open

A controversial golf driving range at Los Angeles City College ordered closed a week ago by college officials has received permission to continue operating while plans are made to cover its top.

But golfers using the Majestic Golf Land range will be prohibited from using the top level of its tee structure and must use short-distance iron clubs instead of wood drivers to lessen the chance balls will be hit out of the range, Los Angeles Community College district officials said Friday.

Range operator Hee Kyun Cho must install netting over the range and obtain a certificate of completion of construction from the state architect within 60 days or his lease of the 4.3-acre site will be terminated, said Priscilla Meckley, the district’s facilities planning director.

Last week’s shutdown was ordered after officials learned that “a substantial number of errant balls” had been hit out of the range. Terms of Cho’s $120,000-per-year lease require that no balls escape the facility.

Meckley said the shutdown order was rescinded after Cho proposed the restricted-use compromise.

“We have basically said this is his last chance,” Meckley said.