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Green vandals strike yet again

Adam Derbyshire
22/10/2003

MEMBERS of Stamford Golf Club are well and truly teed off following another sickening vandal attack at the course.

Greenkeepers were horrified to find nine greens on the 18-hole course had been savagely dug up and a memorial bench ripped out of its concrete footholds overnight on Friday.

Armed with a spade, the culprit had even found time to carve a foul-mouthed message of hate on one putting surface.
The damage comes hot on the heels of an incident a fortnight ago where youths poured petrol on another green before setting it ablaze.

A wooden bridge leading across a ditch to the ninth tee was also destroyed earlier in the summer when it too fell victim to firebugs.

Assistant greenkeeper Martin Kirby has been left devastated by the latest attack and estimates the repair bill could be more than £5,000.

He said: "It's so disheartening. We work incredibly hard all year round to keep the greens in tip-top condition. The members congratulated us this year on the putting surfaces and said they've rarely been better.

"Now all our efforts have been ruined because of the actions of one mindless thug. When I saw what had happened I was gutted. The greens have been simply mutilated.

"Police have said it could be someone with a grudge against the club. I just hope the incidents this summer aren't connected because they seem to be getting steadily more serious.

"But what's most sickening is the attack on the memorial bench. It should be treated with the same respect as a gravestone, not desecrated by yobs out for revenge."

PC Nick Jones, of Stalybridge Police, said: "The extent of the damage leads us to believe the offender must have been on the course for a fair amount of time. We would like to hear from any local residents who may have seen someone acting suspiciously."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 856 9595.