HALDIMAND Vandals are responsible for an estimated $20 000 in damages to the MontHill Golf and Country Club course on Highway 6 last week. Drivers of ATVs or quads destroyed two greens and several tees sometime between last Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Haldimand Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating the incident, but MontHill is also putting up a $10 000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators.
“We had a good year last year without any problems,” says course manager Brian Rizzetto, “Then, the other day, we were out on the course looking around and noticed that two greens — 4 and 5 — were totally destroyed by quads or ATVs.”
Rizzetto believes that — judging from the extent of the damage done — it indicates more than just some thoughtless joy riders, but a purposeful act of malice.
“That’s a shame really, because the new owners who have bought this course did so for the community and surrounding area to enjoy,” says Rizzetto. “It’s for Six Nations, Caledonia, Hagersville, Dover, down by the lake — it’s for everybody.”
Police and MontHill are asking for anyone who knows anything about the vandalism to call the Haldimand detachment of the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-263-6966.
Anyone offering information that leads to an arrest and conviction will be eligible for a $10 000 reward from MontHill golf course.
“This needs to be stopped immediately,” says Rizzetto. “We have put in new security measures since this has happened to prevent any reoccurrence.”
