Vandals dig up pristine greens

Vandals have dug up the turf on two greens, days before an Essex-wide tournament is due to take place.

Groundsmen were devastated when they arrived at Rochford Hundred Golf Club on Monday morning to find someone had used a shovel to dig up the 5th and 16th holes.

The club will go ahead with the men’s tournament this weekend despite the damage.

Roger Fearn, director of operations, said the club is speaking to insurers about the vandalism, which could cost hundreds of pounds to put right.

He said: “David Rand, the head groundsman, is devastated, as are his staff. They work exceptionally hard and it’s a difficult time at the moment because of the lack of water.

“They do a magnificent job for us. It isn’t the first time we have had vandalism, but nothing to this extreme. But life goes on, we have got to be positive and get it put right.

“We have had tremendous support from other clubs so it certainly brings the golfing community together when something goes wrong.”

The tournament was saved after other clubs taking part agreed for changes to be made to the course.

71–year old Ivor Finer, who has been a member for over twenty–years, believes that it is someone who bears a grudge against the club.

He said: “We could weep, it’s horrific. They have gone there with a shovel and a wheelbarrow, so it’s targeted, it isn’t just pure vandalism. This has been done for a reason.

“We are supposed to be putting on a big Essex tournament on Sunday, but the greens were left unplayable. It’s heart-breaking, its soul destroying. The groundkeeper was close to tears, they work so hard.

“They were going to present the club in its finest fettle on Sunday. It’s a great disappointment to every single member.

“One person on Facebook has already offered a £1,000 reward to find whoever did it.”

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