Rochdale Golf Club targeted by vandals

Damage caused to the third green by a scrambler bike

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Rochdale Golf Club, on Edenfield Road, was targeted on Monday 4 January when a male was witnessed riding on the greens on a scrambler bike.

Jack Binns, from Rochdale Golf Club, said: “I have no idea why this person has done this. I would ask why on earth would they want to damage something that costs a lot of money to maintain every year, that provides a lot of people with the facility of enjoying their leisure time by taking part in competitions, and what pleasure do they get out of spoiling that for people. Most of these people would tell you that they don't care and they've done it for ‘a laugh’.”

It is understood that this is the first time that an incident has occurred with a Scrambler bike but previously, mountain bikes have been used on the course.

“Whilst it's not a regular occurrence it has happened before,” said Mr Binns. “We usually have a time span of a couple of years between incidents but within the last week some kids on mountain bikes have been on the course as well.”

The greens have now been attended to but nature needs to take its course to ensure that the greens recover fully.

Mr Binns added: “The repairs to the main green have been carried out by the green staff to the best of their ability. However, nature now needs to take its course to get the green to recover fully. It's likely to be the end of April before the green can be brought back into use, however it will take the whole of summer to recover fully. With regard to the winter green, that will be allowed to recover over summer. In the meantime another area has been closely mown to provide a winter green on the eleventh hole.”

Police say that they are looking for a male who was responsible for causing the damage.

Rochdale Police have asked that anyone with information call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The news comes after Tunshill Golf Club in Milnrow was recently targeted by vandals who threw chemicals on the greens.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100387/tunshill-golf-club-targeted-by-vandals