MINDLESS vandals have been slammed for causing hundreds of pounds of damage at Elderslie Golf Club.
We previously reported how police had started staging patrols at the golf course after the green was damaged on Thursday, April 20.
It has now been revealed that a further two incidents of vandalism took place at the club on the evenings of Sunday, April 23, and Monday, April 24.
Kenny Bell, greens convener at Elderslie Golf Club, said the damage was mostly taking place at the 13th hole, which is located in a secluded area of the course.
He told The Gazette: "On Thursday, they damaged the hole, they broke a few rakes and they set fire to some of the flags on the pins.
"On Sunday, pretty much exactly the same thing happened again, with the same hole and same type of damage.
"Kids were also seen by a greenkeeper on Monday night, where they appeared to be hitting a bunker with a flagpole."
Kenny said that up to 12 youths, believed to be aged 14 and 15 years old, were spotted fleeing the scene on Monday.
Fire crews were also called to the club on the same day after a small fire was started in nearby woods.
As well as having to replace damaged grass and broken equipment, greenkeepers at the club are having to spend many hours repairing the course after each incident.
Kenny said: "We've got a fantastic team here who take a lot of pride in their work, so they are getting very frustrated with fixing something, and then the next day it's the same things needing fixed.
"We do a lot of treatment on the greens in terms of sanding, fertilising and feeding it, so it's not just a case of putting any old turf in.
"Our head greenkeeper John Garioch has spent around 20 hours this week fixing the vandalism and we've also not got disposable money to keep throwing at repairs."
There are also concerns over the safety of members using the course.
Kenny added: "It's a danger for our members, who are also getting frustrated because it's the start of the golf season.
"It's disappointing that these youths are coming in and wrecking the place, as it's taking away a lot of the greenkeepers' time to prepare the course for the members."
A police spokesperson previously told The Gazette: "Enquiries are ongoing and officers will be giving the area passing attention."
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