More UK golf courses hit by vandals
By Alistair
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Three golf courses, one as old as 155 years old, have become the latest venues to be targeted by vandals.
A golf club in Greater Manchester has found cement has been poured into its holes and greens have been dug up, costing potentially £25,000-worth of damage.
Davenport Golf Club. Image from Facebook
A spokesman for Davenport Golf Club said he believes the vandalism was premeditated.
Davenport Golf Club. Image from Facebook
On the morning of December 18 a greenkeeper discovered cement had been poured into two hole cups and the flag placed in both holes.
Greens had also been vandalised.
The club’s professional told CheshireLive that the damage could cost as much as £25,000 to repair.
He added that a vandalism incident took place in 2018, but not as extreme as this.
Davenport Golf Club. Image from Facebook
Cheshire police said they are investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to contact them.
Tony Stevens, head professional at Davenport Golf Club, said: “They’ve tried to cement two flags into the green. The cement hadn’t quite set properly so we were able to get it out as well as digging up the 15th green, but it’s difficult to say what time.
Davenport Golf Club. Image from Facebook
“It happened two years ago. It seems to happen, but nothing to this extreme. There was nothing last year, but two years ago it was bad, but not on the actual green.
“And every year for about four or five years before that. Now, nobody has got any idea who it is.
“I know the greenkeeper’s got his suspicions but you can’t prove anything can you.
“To tell you the truth, it’s quite a bit of damage on the green. You know, greens cost £25,000 to relay in the worst case scenario.
“We’re hoping that can repair it, and hoping it will knit back together. Who knows? It’s a bad time of year for grass to grow and knit together.
Davenport Golf Club. Image from Facebook
“If it dies, then you have to start relaying the green, you’re up to £25,000 at least.”
The club posted on Facebook: ‘This is premeditated vandalism and has caused a lot of damage so any help in finding the culprits would be much appreciated.’
Davenport Golf Club. Image from Facebook
A spokesperson for Cheshire police said: “Police are investigating criminal damage at a golf club in Middlewood Road, Poynton.
“Sometime between 4pm on 17 December and 8am the following morning, damage was caused to a teeing off green and a putting green by digging holes. They also poured cement into two holes on the golf course and placed flag poles in the cement.
“Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via www.cheshire.police.uk quoting IML876291. Information can be passed anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Meanwhile, a vehicle drove onto Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club in the Highlands, causing damage to two areas, including one of the greens, destroying much of the work greenkeepers had carried out in 2020. As the ground was wet at the time, tyre damage was particularly significant.
Club captain Allan Thom said: “It is very disappointing to say the least.
“After all the hard work our greenkeepers do to keep our greens in pristine condition we get some mindless people deciding to drive a vehicle over the course, causing damage on the 11th green and the area between the 10th green and 11th tee? It is infuriating for our two greenkeepers who work hard all year round to keep our course in pristine condition for members and visitors alike.”
Plus, the course at the 155-year-old Haddington Golf Club has been damaged by an off-road bike and quad bike.
Greens and fairways on holes 6, 10 and 15 have all been damaged, with tyre marks being left on the playing surface.
A spokesman said: “It is really heart-breaking.”
In recent weeks a golf club in Lancashire had a car drive at 80 miles per hours on its course and one in Gloucestershire reported significant tyre damage as well.
By Alistair
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