Vandalism

It seemed a throwback in time – media reports of serious vandalism on a golf course. This past April, a golf course in south central Wisconsin was targeted by thugs who caused serious damage that went beyond throwing flag sticks into a pond or defecating on a putting green. Golf cars were wrecked, equipment was destroyed and business was lost while staff put the facility back together. The criminals, if caught, will likely face felony charges. A golf course not far from there was vandalized a few weeks before, although the a was not as serious.

In my experience, golf course vandalism peaked sometime in the early ’70s through the ’80s. Conversations with superintendents my age confirm that estimate, and subsequent generations tell me vandalism today is a rare event.

There was a lot of anger back in the ’60s and ’70s with the Vietnam War and the protesting that went with it. Sometimes this anger spilled over and was turned on golf courses, presumably trying to send some sort of message. Back then, many perceived golf (incorrectly) as a game of the well-to-do, and vandalism was a way to get back at them.

In the early ’70s, our 16th green was essentially destroyed when covered with an agricultural herbicide that required excavation and removal of the top 16 inches. It was rebuilt, improved and covered by insurance money. It was also a wake-up call for all of us – and law enforcement – about how extensive and expensive golf course vandalism can be.

For a period of years, the first order of business each morning was a quick check of the course when I arrived to see how much damage we would have to repair before play started. Frequently, well-laid plans had to be modified to cleanup a mess or repair turf damage. It ranged from having our tree service send out a skyworker to retrieve a flag and stick from near the top of a tree to having to knit together an obscenity that had been carved into a putting green surface, hoping we could disguise the message.

At various times during that period, we hired rent-a-cops to patrol the golf course, which was nearly a waste of time and money. We convinced local law enforcement officials to increase their patrols and actually get officers out of the squad car once in a while. We installed extra lighting and had automatic locks installed on shelters (a frequent target). There were suggestions that we envelope the entire property in cyclone fencing, something that didn’t happen because of cost and, of course, wire and bolt cutters. More than a few times, whenever I couldn’t sleep, I would go to the course to do some patrolling on my own, always hoping I would not actually catch any vandals. I was fearful of inflicting some of my own justice, just like any former Army military policeman might be inclined to do.

We did catch a number of perpetrators and our experience led to a policy of supporting prosecution, juvenile or otherwise. Often the penalty was reimbursement for the damage, but we never let the vandal “work off” the damages. We didn’t want that kind of individual in our sight.

Christmas was even a tense time. Our beautiful collection of evergreens was prime territory for those looking to steal a tree for a religious holiday.

Maybe the vandalism problem I faced so often is now diminished in these times because our institutions and our society have changed. Young people seem more serious and less inclined to commit what they may view as environmental crimes. I know that law enforcement has had a significant impact on the decrease of graffiti and less vandalism has coincidentally gone down as well.

And golf has undergone changes, too. I would guess it seems less of an elite game to society; credit things like the First Tee Program, competitors that look more and more like the population in general, and junior golf programs. Millions of kids have learned the beauty and value of golf courses.

Whatever the reasons, it is a bit of good news that has happened during a time when many aspects of golf have been headed the other way. Superintendents couldn’t be happier about it.

Monroe Miller retired after 36 years as superintendent at Blackhawk CC in Madison, Wis. He is a recipient of the 2004 USGA Green Section Award, the 2009 GCSAA Col. John Morley DSA Award,  and is the only superintendent in the Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame. Reach him at groots@charter.net.