Damage to golf courses – both deliberate and carried out in a rage – is on the rise
The course staff at my home club woke one morning last January to discover that three greens, a tee and two fairways had been damaged by a motorbike vandal – and on the eve of hosting the state junior championship.
With time as no ally, the crew performed a repair job that was nothing short of spectacular given the circumstances. The affected areas became less and less apparent in the weeks that followed in a genius bit of recovery work. Sadly, it’s an aspect of the job that has become all too familiar for turf professionals.
A member of our Top 100 Golf Courses judging panel wrote to me recently to express his disappointment at the rise in instances of vandalism at both his home clubs in western Melbourne. “Because of the open nature of these courses, kids are taking to the greens after hours and causing all manner of damage,” he lamented. “This escalated over the weekend when the shed which houses our fleet of carts was broken into and a number stolen and driven over the course, apparently resulting in significant damage to the 18th green and many bunkers. Furthermore, at least one cart was driven into a lake.”
It’s everywhere. A quick search online reveals that golf-course vandalism occurs far too frequently, while the acts are becoming more and more brazen:
Palmerston G&CC (NT): Repeatedly targeted by vandals, including incidents with motorbikes and scooter riders damaging greens and fairways.
Nedlands Golf Club (WA): Damaged by e-scooter riders.
Point Walter Golf Course (WA): Suffered damage from e-scooter riders, with staff attempting to deter the culprits who were carving up the greens.
Tully Park Golf Club (NSW): Experienced vandalism on greens by dirt bikes and a previous incident involving a motorcycle damaging a tee.
Sandy Creek Golf Club (SA): Greens were vandalised with poison, causing significant damage.
Mirboo North Golf Course (Vic): Damaged by a vehicle during a storm, causing deep tracks in the greens.
And that’s just a recent snapshot.
Meanwhile, in a realm of the sport not as distant from wanton vandalism as it should be, has anyone else noticed the rise in frayed tempers on tour? Tee markers and lockers are now more vulnerable than course records as on-course behaviour among the best male golfers in the world hits a new low.
Wyndham Clark’s flung driver at the PGA Championship narrowly missed a volunteer and wrecked some tee signage before he carried out the majors double by laying into Oakmont Country Club’s sacred locker room. Worst of all, his apology after the US Open was more tepid than an hour-old cup of tea. He deserved a stint off the tour.
Then we had Rory McIlroy whacking a tee marker at the US Open and Brooks Koepka doing the same at the LIV Golf Dallas event. Even the usually mild-mannered Padraig Harrington had a set-to with on-course reporter Roger Maltbie during the US Senior Open over the search for a lost ball.
What’s behind this rash of anger? Is it the heat of the northern summer, or the heat of competition? Because it certainly isn’t anything else in the tour environment across what is the most pampered group in the history of pro golf. They’re all big stars, all major winners – and all should know better.
Hey, we all get angry at times during what must rank as the most frustrating of pastimes, but it’s what you do with that anger that counts. Tiger Woods could seriously fume at times, but other than the occasional mild club toss, he kept himself largely in check on the course (swearing aside). He also had the self-control to channel any rage into the next shot.
This game is supposed to bring joy – a reminder all golfers need occasionally. Some more often than others.
Top 5 ways to punish golf-course vandals
5. Confiscation of whatever vehicle or implement was used in the act.
4. Jail time.
3. Spend a week picking up golf balls at a local range, no protection allowed.
2. A public apology to the club or course impacted.
1. Whatever they wreck, they fix – even if that requires some study of course-maintenance techniques. Hey, they might even turn full-circle and make a turf-maintenance career out of their indiscretion.