Historic golf course vandalized with Nazi swastika
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The community around one of the oldest golf clubs in Britain has been left shocked by the vile act.
It’s the latest in a lengthy spate of vandalism on the ancient golf course, and it’s easily the most deplorable.
Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club, near London, has been fending off people riding motorbikes on the course for almost a year now.
But that’s nothing compared to what awaited staff when they arrived at work on Sunday morning.
A Nazi swastika carved into one of the greens.
During an appearance on GB News, the club’s general manager, Mark Rodberd, said the problems have been going on “for about 10 months or so now, but it’s got a lot worse over the winter time”.
He continued: “Generally speaking, it’s just been mindless. There have been pictures on the greens, but nothing that we have discerned as a symbol that we would see.
“Certainly nothing as shocking as the Nazi symbol.”
Speaking to The Standard, he added: “Over the summer, every now and then, we’d have problems with these dirt bikes going on the golf course and using it as a race track, making marks on the grass which appeared to be very deliberate.
“The Nazi symbol is completely different to what we’ve had before.
“It’s shored up a lot of interest on social media and it’s an accumulation of everything that’s been building up since last year.
“We have reported each and every incident to the police and council but generally speaking, it does always end up being the same type of response and the case closes after a couple of days.”
As Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club, which was founded in 1892, resides on common land, it is not possible for CCTV to be installed, or for a protective fence to be built around it. As well as golfers, the area is enjoyed by the local community, and it was an early-morning dog walker who first discovered the latest act of vandalism.
Mr Rodberd, who also noted that golf clubs in nearby Wimbledon have also been targeted by vandals, added: “It’s demoralizing. We’re a community-based, non-profit club, and a lot of what we do is led by volunteers. You feel like it’s one step too much.
“The police have suggested trying to close off the routes to the green but of course it’s a community space on common land. Hopefully, someone knows who is doing this. We’re asking the public to help us put a stop to this.”
If you have any information that might help Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club, you can contact the club directly.
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Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club has been attacked by vandals a number of times in the last year.
