ABOUT THOSE TEMPERATURES IN JUST HOW COOL WE CAN EXPECT THEM WHEN YOU WAKE UP TOMORROW MORNING. >> THANK FROM YOUR CAPE CORAL NEWS TEAM HERE AT THE PALMETTO PINE COUNTRY CLUB. THE OWNER SAYS KIDS ON THESE E-BIKES HAVE BEEN JUST TERRORIZING THE GOLF COURSE AND CLUB FROM TIME TO TIME. THEY CONSTANT BEEN DOING THIS AND AFTER ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THE GREENS WERE DESTROYED AGAIN ON FRIDAY, NICOLE COSTE NEWS REPORTED NEARLY GRAND PIER HEADED OUT TO THE AREA TO HEAR FROM THE OWNER AND PEOPLE THERE IN THE COMMUNITY. >> THE OWNER OF PALMETTO PINES COUNTRY CLUB HERE IN CAPE CORAL TELLS ME THE COMMUNITY HASN’T HAUNTED FOR WEEKS NOW BY KIDS ON E-BIKES. HE SAYS THEY’VE BEEN DAMAGING THE GREENS AND RACKING UP HEFTY BILL. >> WELL, I RENOVATED THIS PLACE AND SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND IT’S VERY FRUSTRATING AND THEY COME OUT. GO ACROSS THE GREEN. THE GREENS COST $100,000 AGREE. AND THEY JUST RIDE THEIR BIKES ON IT LIKE IT’S THERE. BMW UP BMX PARK. >> OWNER JERRY KARLIN SAYS KIDS ON THEIR E-BIKES HAVE BEEN RIDING THROUGH HIS GOLF COURSE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AND NOW HE’S HAD ENOUGH. >> SOME PEOPLE THINK CUTE. KIDS NEED A PLACE TO PLAY. THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. IT’S NOT. IT’S NOT A. IT’S NOT A PLAYGROUND. >> CARLIN ALSO TELLS ME THESE KIDS HAVE ROAD THROUGH SOME OF THE HOMES AROUND THE COURSE INTO THEIR YARDS. NEIGHBORS WE SPOKE WITH ARE SURPRISED TO HEAR OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN THEIR COMMUNITY. I MEAN, WE’RE NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. SO IT’S DEFINITELY A BIT OF A SHOCK TO SEE THIS KIND OF STUFF HAPPENING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> MEMBERS OF THE CLUB TELL ME CARLIN HAS MADE A LOT OF RENOVATIONS AND THEY’RE BANDING TOGETHER TO TRY AND CATCH THESE KIDS AND OUR MEMBERSHIP. MY MEMBERSHIP IS JUST UP IN ARMS BECAUSE SEE EVERYTHING THAT I’VE DONE TO MAKE THIS PLACE. NUYS. >> HIS KIDS JUST COME OUT AND DESTROY. HARLAN TELLS ME HE’S FOULS MULTIPLE POLICE REPORTS, BUT HE’S BEEN TOLD NO ARRESTS CAN BE MADE UNLESS THE KIDS ARE CAUGHT IN THE ACT BY OFFICERS. >> WE DO HAVE CAMERAS ALL AROUND OUR HOUSE. SO I MEAN, WE FEEL A LITTLE BIT SAFER WITH THE CAMERAS AROUND OUR HOUSE, AT LEAST. BUT HOPEFULLY THEY CATCH A SOMETHING IT’S DONE. >> CARLIN TELLS ME HE’S HIRED SECURI
Cape Coral country club owner frustrated by e-bike damage to golf course
Updated: 9:39 AM EDT Oct 13, 2025
The owner of Palmetto Pines Country Club in Cape Coral is frustrated by kids repeatedly riding electric bikes across his golf course, causing damage to the greens. “I’ve renovated this place and spent millions of dollars, and it’s very frustrating. The greens cost $100,000. They just ride their bikes on it like it’s their BMX park,” said owner Gerry Karlen. The kids have been riding through some of the homes around the course into their yards, Karlen claims. Members of the club are supporting Karlen, who has made numerous renovations, in his efforts to catch the kids responsible. “My membership is just up in arms because they see everything that I’ve done to make this place nice, and these kids just come out and destroy it,” Karlen said.Despite filing multiple police reports, Karlen said he’s been informed that no arrests can be made unless the kids are caught in the act by officers. Karlen has hired security in case the kids return.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
The owner of Palmetto Pines Country Club in Cape Coral is frustrated by kids repeatedly riding electric bikes across his golf course, causing damage to the greens.
“I’ve renovated this place and spent millions of dollars, and it’s very frustrating. The greens cost $100,000. They just ride their bikes on it like it’s their BMX park,” said owner Gerry Karlen.
The kids have been riding through some of the homes around the course into their yards, Karlen claims.
Members of the club are supporting Karlen, who has made numerous renovations, in his efforts to catch the kids responsible.
“My membership is just up in arms because they see everything that I’ve done to make this place nice, and these kids just come out and destroy it,” Karlen said.
Despite filing multiple police reports, Karlen said he’s been informed that no arrests can be made unless the kids are caught in the act by officers.
Karlen has hired security in case the kids return.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.