Someone vandalized the golf course at the Raintree Country Club, west of Hillsboro, and caused an estimated $100,000 in damage early Saturday morning (July 29).
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported that the damage likely occurred between midnight and 1 a.m. because that’s when residents of the adjacent Raintree Plantation subdivision said they heard something going on at the golf course.
“Some type of vehicle tore up the grass on the fairways and greens. Basically, they were doing what’s called doughnuts,” Sheriff’s Cpl. Matt Moore said.
Golf course owner Dave Tucker said he and golf course employees didn’t find out about the damage until they arrived at work at about 6 a.m. Saturday morning to prepare for a tournament. Holes 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were damaged, he said.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene about 8 a.m., Moore said. The Sheriff’s Office Facebook page said the damage was done by a utility terrain vehicle.
“They were doing doughnuts in the fairway, ran over tee boxes and other markers on the course, trash cans, anything they could run over,” Tucker said. “Once we saw the extent of the damage, we were shocked. It was really bad. The golf superintendent was just sick. This was the best this course had ever been.”
Play was moved to the last nine holes and the tournament went on, Tucker said.
He estimated that damage could reach $100,000.
“We don’t know the exact number yet, but it could be expensive,” he said. “This is special grass. It requires a special type of soil.”
An insurance claim is being processed, Tucker said.
The club has closed the front nine holes until repairs can be made, but the golf course is still open, Tucker said.
“People can play the back holes. They’re really in good shape,” he said.
Tucker said when the front nine holes will be available for play is “a million dollar question.”
“It depends on the method used for the repairs,” he said. “It can be reseeded or re-sod.”
He said when he purchased the golf course in 2012, the greens had been reseeded in September 2011 and were ready for play in June 2012. Sod, which is shipped from other parts of the country, provides a quicker turn-around.
“We are going to weigh all our options,” Tucker said.
In the meantime, the Sheriff’s Office is looking for information.
“We’re interviewing witnesses and following up on possible leads,” Moore said.
He said today (July 31) there were no suspects yet. The vandals could face charges of trespassing and property damage.
Anyone with information may call the Sheriff’s Office at 636-797-5000.
Raintree, 5925 Plantation Drive, is a semi-private golf club that provides recreation for Raintree residents, private members and the public. The course, established in the early 1980s, encompasses about 100 acres.