Golf club’s £80,000 repair bill over nazi symbol
On Sunday morning, greenkeeper Steven Roberts discovered a 20ft by 20ft swastika scorched into the course’s first green, with what is believed to be petrol or diesel.
The green was recently ranked the best in Wales by the Welsh Golfing Union and the course has won plaudits across the UK.
Three other greens have also been targeted in the attack.
Club captain Bryan Strong says each green could cost about £20,000 to repair.
He said: “We are going to try and wash it out using chemicals and then re-seed it, which will take ages.
“Our big concern is it’s gone down into the roots and if that’s the case we have a major problem.
“It’s £20,000 just for one green and I don’t know where we are going to find that money, we’re just a small club.”
Flint Golf Club bought the course, based around Cornist Hall, from Flintshire Council in the early 80s and have run it ever since.
Members recently subsidised a discount junior membership to attract more youths to use the course.
Mr Strong said: “We’ve had quite a few problems with teenagers drinking on the course at night. In the past there’s been flags pulled out and bits of the course dug up and the bins are filled with cans and bottles but we’ve never had anything like this.
“We can’t say for sure it was teenagers who have done this. If it is, it would be a real shame. We have done so much to encourage kids to use the course.”
North Wales Police are now investigating the incident.
A police spokesman said: “I can confirm we received a report of criminal damage on Sunday morning, that liquid had been poured on the green at Flint Golf Club. Four areas of the green were affected and police inquires are under way.”
Sgt Scott Gallagher, of Flint Police, added: “This is a mindless act of vandalism. Flint Golf Course is well established and it is used by many within the community. It is extremely sad someone has gone to such lengths to damage the greens.”
Anyone who may have information relating to this offence or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area overnight between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, is asked to call police on 0845 6071001 (Welsh language) or 0845 6071002 (English language) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.