Golf course wrecked by vandals on stolen greenkeepers' carts

Three carts were taken from storage unit and ploughed across fairways and greens.

Dundee’s Caird Park golf course wrecked by vandals on stolen greenkeepers’ carts STV News

A golf club has been left with significant damage after vandals drove greenskeepers’ carts across the course.

Nearly £50,000 worth of equipment was taken from Caird Park in Dundee during the incident last week.

Three carts were taken from a storage unit and ploughed across fairways and greens, tearing up much of the nine-hole course and forcing its closure.

Club captain Ian Gordon said: “We’re very disappointed with what’s happened over the last two to three months.

“There’s been quite a bit of damage done – this is the worst we’ve seen in 30-odd years.”

The three greenkeeping carts, each worth around £16,000, were stolen from the storage unit in the early hours of Thursday, October 13.

The vandals on carts have ruined this green.

Mr Gordon said he was “horrified” by the amount of damage caused to the publicly owned course, adding: “It’s so frustrating, some of the members get really angry with it.”

Last week’s break-in was just one of a handful of issues in recent months related to vandalism or thefts at the club.

Bosses are now looking to meet with Dundee City Council to discuss tighter security measures in a bid to keep thieves out.

“We put forward a couple of things before, asking for prevention measures, like electronic gates, so quad bikes can’t get in certain areas of the course,” said Mr Gordon.

Club captain Ian Gordon is calling for new security measures.

Leisure and Culture Dundee said it didn’t know how long it would take to repair the damage.

Police are trying to trace those responsible and urged anyone with information to come forward.

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 October 13. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

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