Vandals trash Yarrambat Park Golf Course greens with trail bikes
Golfers returning to a course in the Diamond Valley will be forced to play around extra holes after vandals on trail bikes tore up putting greens during the coronavirus lockdown. The damage bill could be up to $75,000.
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Vandals riding motorbikes have trashed a golf course in the Diamond Valley while the greens were closed during the coronavirus lockdown.
It is believed the unknown offenders entered the Yarrambat Park Golf Course twice between April 24 and May 10 and dug up the greens, causing thousands of dollars damage.
Police said four to six offenders riding trail bikes were responsible on both occasions.
The total damage bill is estimated to be about $10,000 but if one of the greens needs to be replaced completely it could be as high as $75,000.
Yarrambat Park Golf Course reopened on Wednesday morning after government restrictions were lifted.
The course had been closed since March 29 in line with Golf Australia recommendations.
Yarrambat Golf Club president Stuart Thompson told the Leader the damage was quite significant and would certainly affect the play of the course.
“It’s two greens and there’s no alternative holes so it will affect the amenity and enjoyment of the course,” he said.
“Because there’s normally people on the course the opportunity for these things to occur is reduced.
“As there was only a skeleton crew during the lockdown and nobody there on weekends it gave the opportunity for this to occur.”
Mr Thompson said they were expecting 80 golfers to take the course on the first day back.
He said most would be unaware until they reached the particular holes where they would be “shocked” at the extent of the damage.
He said it would take at least six to eight weeks to repair and maybe longer with winter approaching.
Belgravia Leisure, which manages the course on behalf of Nillumbik Council, recently spent more than $1.2 million on stage one of upgrades to the facility.
It’s understood residents had been complaining about trail bikes in the area for the past 12 months.
Diamond Creek police are investigating the criminal damage incident.
Anyone with any information on the identity of the riders should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police ask anyone who witnesses trail bikes near the golf course to call triple-0 immediately.
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