A golf course in Dundee has been “decimated” by vandals who stole equipment worth £48,000.
Three greenkeepers’ gators, worth £16,000 each, were stolen from the Caird Park course in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The cabs were then used to tear up fairways. greens and trees. The vandals then broke into a shed, stole a tractor, and attempted to break into another shed.
The nine-hole course has had to be closed as a result of the damage.
One greenkeeper says it’s the worst vandalism he has seen in 47 years working at the course.
Greenkeepers and golfers have condemned the acts of vandalism and theft as “despicable and disgusting.”
There is also now a further call for tighter security at the course, after a series of incidents last year.
Chunks of grass have been ripped out of multiple holes on both the nine and 18-hole courses.
Caird Park Golf Club captain, Ian Gordon, says he is shocked and disgusted at the damage.
He said: “This is much worse than I imagined when I was first told about it.
“Greens, fairways and tees have been very, very badly damaged.
“We don’t need this.
“We have recently been welcoming more people back to the club and now this happens.
“Something has to be done to increase security and stop these people doing this.”
He added: “Vandalism of this type is going to scare golfers away.
“They’re not going to want to pay to play on a course that is ripped apart.”
It comes just two weeks after two golf buggies were stolen from the club.
Damage will take months to repair
One of the greenkeepers, who asked not to be named, said: “This is the worst damage caused by vandalism I have seen in 47 years working at the course.
“When I saw it this morning I couldn’t believe the mess.
“On one section they have obviously gone round the area numerous times with a car and also with the three gators they took from the shed.
“This sort of damage will take months to repair, we’re not talking small sections here we’re speaking about large areas of the course.
“It’s absolutely soul destroying.
“We had the course looking great and to see this level of damage it’s hard to take in.”
Another greenkeeper said that they were first alerted to the damage at the course when they arrived for work on Thursday morning.
He said: “We noticed shed doors were ripped off and missing.
“Three gators were gone and one of our tractors was then used to try to break down doors into another shed.
“Our own CCTV showed around six guys at the sheds and then heading on to the course.
“The tyre tracks on the course show that at least one car was driven round and round dozens of times, ripping up the greens and the fairways.
“They then used our own gators to cause even more damage.
“It’s hard to take in the amount of damage caused.”
Police Scotland is appealing for information.
Constable Laura Allan said: “We’re asking for anyone with information on this break in, or if you saw anything suspicious in the Caird Park area, to come forward.
“We are also keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have seen the vehicles in question in the community or for sale.
“If you believe you can assist our investigation, please call police on 101, quoting incident 0517 of 13 October, 2022. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
A spokesman for Leisure and Culture Dundee said: “As a result of vandalism to the courses at Caird Park, the nine-hole course is currently closed.
“We can also confirm there has been a theft of equipment relating to the maintenance of the courses.
“Our team at Caird Park work hard to present the courses in top condition for everyone who plays there, and it is appalling to see their efforts undermined in this way.”
Conversation