Golf club suffers 'worst act of vandalism in its 122-year history'
23.02.2023 - 14:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A golf club says it has suffered the worst act of vandalism in its 122-year history after off-road bikers ripped up a number of greens on the course.
Tunshill Golf Club in Milnrow, Rochdale, revealed the attack would likely cost 'thousands of pounds' to repair and comes as the new season is about to start.
Ion Greenwood, club president, said the greens on the par five seventh and the par three eighth holes were targeted, with the latter green left badly damaged.
The club has CCTV footage and said it would be contacting police in due course. The challenging moorland club off Kiln Lane, which can be seen from the M62 motorway, has a strong membership and active junior section. It's a nine hole course with 18 different tees.
It's understood two vandals riding off-road motorbikes accessed the course at around 4.40pm on Wednesday via an impromptu pathway.
The club posted photographs of the damage caused to its Facebook page. They show deep, circular tyre tracks cut into the greens and around holes.
Posting on Facebook today, Thursday, the club said: "Yesterday we suffered the worst act of vandalism the club has seen in its 122 years. Several greens have had two motorbikes ridden over them, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
"Two people were seen riding away from the course on motorbikes. If anybody has any dash-cam or CCTV footage of them around 16.40 yesterday [Wednesday] could you please message the club. Thank you."
Mr Greenwood said the new season was due to begin at the end of next month.
He said: "A couple of persons have ridden their off-road bikes onto the golf course through a path that has been created. They have then decided to do doughnuts on a couple of the greens. It is the seventh and eighth