Cranbourne Golf Club general manager Sean Constable (left) said vandals have attacked the course four times in the past week, leaving the course in ruins. By Alison Noonan
JOYRIDING vandals have wreaked havoc at Cranbourne Golf Club, damaging golf buggies, defecating on the greens and spray-painting the pro-shop.
General Manager Sean Constable said the course had been attacked four times in the past week, leaving the club with a hefty clean-up bill.
Mr Constable said vandals hot-wired one of the club’s golf carts and took the $10,000 vehicle on the practice fairway overnight on Tuesday 24 January.
The cart was found dumped on the green with the window kicked out and the seat torn off.
“They came back again on Thursday night and tried to take the carts but this time they were locked up correctly,” he said.
Mr Constable said the wiring on five buggies was again tampered with and black shoe polish smeared over the machines.
“They tried to hotwire the carts but because they were chained up properly they couldn’t remove the seats.
“After that we thought this is ridiculous, we can’t leave them out any more, so we moved them into a secure facility.
“They came back the following night and were obviously unhappy the carts were locked up so this time they wrote a nasty message on the pro-shop wall,” he said.
Mr Constable said the latest attack occurred on Monday night when a bottle of scotch was stolen from the club house and the greens dug up.
“They broke into the club house and stole a number of items before digging holes in the green and defecating in the holes.
“It is just a joke. I don’t know what to do from here.
“We need someone to sit here all night and catch them in the act,” he said.
Mr Constable said the continued attacks had left the club in financial difficulty and angered staff and members.
“Someone doesn’t like us.
“The continued intrusion by kids on the course has been an ongoing problem for us. I catch kids in here at least once a week,” Mr Constable said.
“This is costing us thousands of dollars.
“There is a perception that golf clubs have plenty of money and exist for the wealthy but it costs a fortune to run a club.
“We don’t have the money or the resources to waste on people vandalising the course,” he said.
Cranbourne Police believe the attacks may be connected but are still investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Cranbourne CIU on 5995 4577.
