Vandals Damage 16 Golf Greens
Vandals Damage 16 Golf Greens: Within the next few days, test results should reveal the chemical that vandals used to damage 16 greens at a popular golf course in Skagit County.
A swear word was also spelled out in the grass on one of the holes at Swinomish Golf Links.
Employees believe the vandal or vandals picked their targets here carefully. The greens closest to the clubhouse are covered by surveillance cameras and were not hit.
“It’s stupid. I don’t why people vandalize. It doesn’t make sense to me,” said golfer Walt Matye.
“Very disgusting. Just like graffiti and that, there’s no point. It doesn’t accomplish anything except make matters worse,” added his cousin, Marshall.
Sometime within the past week, the vandals trespassed on the 100-acre course overnight and sprayed some type of grass-killing chemical on most of the greens, investigators told KOMO News. A swear word was also left behind on hole 11.
“It had to be a very involved process. One that was thought out. And for them to have access to the course by either driving or bringing this stuff with them is something that was well planned out,” said Chairman Brian Cladoosby, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
Tests are now being performed on the damaged grass and soil to try to figure out what chemical the vandal or vandals used.
If the chemical damaged the soil, it’s possible the course may have to temporarily close until expensive repairs can be made, employees said.
A temporary closure would be a huge hit considering the time of year.
“These individuals knew what they were doing. They know golf. They know the peak season. They know that the majority of the income produced by golf courses in the northwest is right around Memorial Day to Labor Day,” Cladoosby said.
Right now, this course is still playable.
Employees have drastically reduced rates for players because of the damage left behind.
“It just takes a few people to ruin it for the majority of the people to have a good time,” said Marshall Matye. “I guess the only thing they think about is themselves.”
The course does have insurance, employees said. But it’s possible the damage could climb to more than $500,000, they added.
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
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