For the benefit of new members, our club suffered a series of vandalism attacks in late December 2022 and early 2023. Over a number of nights, an oil-based substance was sprayed over every green at least once, tee markers and flags were vandalized and the lock on the diesel tank was broken, with 1,500 liters dispersed into the back of the green shed.
The vandal's actions caused a great deal of damage to the course not to mention the stress suffered by our green staff, members and visiting players.
Our course superintendent Simon and club captain Marty Melrose set about identifying the person, eventually gathering enough evidence for the police to arrest an individual and lay charges. In preparation for the hearing Simon produced 45 pages of evidence including photos of the damage, the accused vandal, footprints and identification of equipment that may have been used.
The matter was scheduled for last Thursday in the Downing Centre with a number of club employees subpoenaed to give evidence. On arriving at the court and prior to the matter being heard, the police enquired, and the club agreed it would accept a guilty plea on the 7th charge where we had a good photo of the vandal on the 14th green and footprints on the sand track that leads from the 15th tee to the 4th green.
The accused chose to go before the magistrate who was not satisfied the evidence was strong enough to identify them, so the matter was dismissed. Whilst extremely disappointed a conviction was not recorded, the club knows who the vandal is, and the vandal knows who they are and what they did.
