Vandals pour cement into golf course holes and dig up green which could cost £25,000 to repair

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A golf club has been on the receiving end of 'premeditated vandalism'.

The greenkeeper at Davenport Golf Club in Poynton found that someone had poured cement into two holes on the golf course and placed flag poles in the cement, as well as digging up the greens.

A member of the club said that they're unsure exactly what time the incident took place, but it was likely between 4.00pm on Thursday December 17th and 8.00am on the morning of December 18th.

The member also said an incident took place two years ago, but nothing this extreme, and that in the worst case scenarios, relaying greens can cost £25,000.

Cheshire police said they are investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to contact them.

Speaking to CheshireLive, Tony Stevens, Head Golf Professional at Davenport Golf Club, said: "We can't put a timescale on it, but it was obviously from when nobody was here from four o'clock yesterday afternoon when it's dark until the greenkeeper found it this morning about sort of eight-ish."

"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."

Tony added that this was not the first time this had happened.

He said: "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."

The damage could prove costly for the club, with green relays potentially costing £25,000.

Tony said: "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."

"If it dies, then you have to start relaying the green, you're up to £25,000 at least."

Davenport Golf Club posted pictures of the damage on their Facebook page this morning, along with the message: "Vandalism last night.

"In conjunction with the police we are keen to know if you saw anyone around Middlewood Road last night with a spade and cement?"

"This is premeditated vandalism and has caused a lot of damage so any help in finding the culprits would be much appreciated."

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."


You can read the original article from David Houston at CheshireLive HERE

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