Fife golf course members 'powerless' as vandals steal flags and damage greens
Around £2,000 worth of damage has been caused at Balbirnie Park after a number of incidents involving youngsters
Last updated 13th May 2021
Members of a Fife golf course are furious after a series of vandalisms have left the club around £2,000 out of pocket.
Groups of up to 50 youngsters have flocked to Balbirnie Park in Markinch over the last few weeks.
Some have stolen flags and damaged greens.
Club captain George Allan says the actions of many teenagers have been "mindless".
"He jumped over the wall at the 10th tee, picked up one of the tee markers and threw it in the river," he said, referencing one particular incident.
"He thought it was highly amusing in front of his mates but I can't confront him. There were three or four of them but as police say I've got to stand back and report it.
"We are powerless."
The course is located within the council run Balbirnie Park which has a number of paths for cyclists and walkers.
"Damage to furniture, we've got replace that. You can't operate without flags in the greens, tee markers on the tees," added Mr Allan.
"We have to replace all that, at our own expense. We can't get this back on insurance, it's coming out of our budget.
"When our golfers leave the park, especially on a Saturday evening after a medal, maybe around 7 or 8pm.
"They can see all the young ones coming into the park. Some of them are getting dropped off and coming in with their carry-outs."
Police are urging parents to remind their kids anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
Inspector Kirk Donnelly from Glenrothes Police Station said: “It is disappointing to hear of this mindless act of vandalism that has caused considerable damage to the Balbirnie Golf Course.
“There is a minority in our community who feel this sort of behaviour is acceptable, but I want to be clear, that it is not.
“I am aware of a number of reports from members of the public recently of young people gathering in this area, who are abusing alcohol, littering and becoming involved in antisocial behaviour.
“Officers are working with our partners at Fife Council and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure the area is patrolled regularly, but I would also urge the parents and guardians of young people to encourage them against gathering in groups and remind them that anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
“We are following lines of enquiry into this incident of vandalism and I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and saw anything to contact the police.”