Photo of the current driving range provided by the City of Brookings.

The stifling overhead net at the Salmon Run Golf Course driving range is coming down.

The Brookings City Council unanimously approved a new deal with South Coast Lumber yesterday to extend the course’s property lines for a longer range.

South Coast Lumber, which leases the municipal course property to the city for $1 a year, has also agreed to cover half of the project’s legal and lot-adjustment fees.

Brooking Public Works and Development Services Director Jay Trost said that the extension will allow the city to remove the low-hanging net that stops balls from traveling higher than 35 feet in the air.

“We estimate that it will be 230 yards long uphill, so it will accommodate most clubs and we’ll have netting at the very back of it,” Trost said.

Per course rules, golfers are currently prohibited from using drivers on the range, making it more of a glorified chipping green.

Course Manager Val Early said the extension is expected to increase the course’s revenue.

“Many golfers feel like a better driving range would help the course,” Early said. “They’re going to extend it so people can hit longer irons and woods out there and watch the trajectory of their ball.”

While numerous companies and organizations have assisted with the maintenance of the course throughout the years, Trost said that South Coast Lumber, Rivers End Construction and Freeman Rock are specifically donating supplies and labor to help complete this project.

The new range is expected to be seeded and ready for use by Spring of 2021.

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