Last updated at 13:14, Wednesday, 04 July 2012

Members of Maryport Golf Club have been left devastated after vandals caused damage in excess of £5,000 to equipment and a memorial.

Police are investigating criminal damage after they were called to the club yesterday morning by Mike Robertson, head greenkeeper, who discovered damage to bins, flags, rakes, a wooden bench, ball washers and tee-plates around the course.

He also found damage to a memorial for past captain Clive Johnston which was erected only a few months ago.

The sun dial, which is mounted on a sandstone plinth, was kicked off and the plinth damaged.

It took members hours to gather up the vandalised equipment.

Colin Vaughan, greens chairman, said: “We were absolutely devastated. It’s just a case of mindless vandalism and people spoiling other people’s pleasures.

“It will probably take us months to replace all the equipment.

“Some of the ball washers were concreted into the green so it would have had to have been someone strong who did this.”

He added: “This has always been an immaculate course which is down to the dedication of our greenkeeper and we don’t want this incident to have a knock-on effect on people who use the course.”

Police believe the incident occurred overnight from July 2 into July 3 and police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact Cumbria police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

First published at 12:22, Wednesday, 04 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk