After numerous meetings with apartment complex representatives, the city hired a monitor whose goal it was to survey the driving range and find out more about the circumstances leading to this situation. Robert Walker, director of the city's parks and recreation department, said that although there are sufficient employees at the golf course, it's impractical to expect any one to watch the driving range full time when there are so many other duties to attend to.

"We wanted to see whether people using the driving range were paying attention to rules," said Walker.

Only certain clubs are allowed in the lanes closer to the apartment complex, Walker explained. He added that it was important to find out whether people were hitting the balls into the apartment complex on purpose or by accident. With the help of the monitor, they were able to ascertain that "a small number of golf balls are going over the net accidentally."

Walker said the next step is to explore the different options already discussed at past meetings.

"All our options are still on the table," he said. "We haven't completed our research on those options yet."

After an August meeting, the city determined that other options within the city's operational ability are to plant more trees along the boundary between the driving range and the apartment complex, to reposition the mats on the range and to install Mylar on apartment windows.

Installing a protective coating on the apartment windows is still a viable option, Walker said. As for planting trees along the perimeter, Walker is preparing a proposal to offer to the apartment owners on the financial responsibilities of the two involved parties.

Some trees may take anywhere from three to five years to grow to a reasonable height, but Walker said the city will look into faster-growing trees if that option works out for both parties.

According to resident Eric Lowy, a more effective solution would be to increase the height of the netting placed along the perimeter of the property from its current height of 60 feet.

But this option might prove too expensive for the city. Besides the financial aspect, there is the legal aspect to look at as well.

Since the golf course predates the apartment complex, the ordinances need to be looked into, Walker said. In addition, constitutional law prevents the use of public funds to protect private property.

Lowy noticed the errant flying objects a few months ago and decided to take up the issue with the city.

The balls are driven in at such a high rate of speed from the driving range next door that they bounce off the carport, the walls and even the parked cars, according to Lowy. A few balls have fallen into the swimming pool while children were playing in it, he said.