A historic golf club beloved by the late BBC commentator Peter Alliss is being plagued by e-bike riding yobs ‘ripping up’ its putting green.
Management at High Post Golf Club in Salisbury awoke on December 7 to find flags had been stolen and visible tyre marks on the 18-hole course.
Five greens at Salisbury Golf Centre were also wrecked, with a one-and-a-half foot trench gouged into one of them.
Police were called to investigate criminal damage after High Post Golf Club management spotted footage of TikTok of balaclava-clad vandals doing doughnuts on the nearby course.
In the videos, mud can be seen flying everywhere as the masked youths ride motocross bikes around in circles, completely destroying the grass.
A clip captioned ‘how we roll’ was uploaded to the platform, showing the youths waving golf flags above their head as they steered through the course.
Andy Rideout, the club manager at High Post Golf Club, said: ‘Unfortunately, there is no CCTV coverage on the course itself, so we do not have any footage of individuals on site.
‘Over that same weekend, electric bikes were reported in the area, and TikTok videos posted at the time show very similar damage occurring at Salisbury Golf Centre.
‘Putting those two things together, it appears likely that the incidents are linked, although we cannot conclusively identify those responsible.’
Footage shared on social media shows dirt flying all around as the masked yobs ride around in circles, digging their tyres into the mud
A video captioned ‘how we roll’ was uploaded to TikTok showing the youths waving a golf flag above their head as they inflicted the damage
The act of churning up a green has been called ‘ripping – where the bike is kept stationary but its back wheel spins at top speed to dig a trench into the earth
Damage caused on the greens and tees at High Post Golf Club – a favourite of BBC commentator Peter Alliss – is pictured
Founded in 1922, High Post Golf Club was laid out by five-time Open champion JH Taylor. The High Post Golf Club is pictured
He continued: ‘Access to the course is relatively easy, as there is a public bridleway running alongside three holes.
‘By law, we must always maintain access for walkers, cyclists, and horse-riders, which does limit the physical measures we can put in place to prevent access.’
Mr Rideout emailed members about the damage, saying: ‘We had some visitors who thought doughnuts on tees and greens would be fun.
‘The first, third and fourth holes are particularly affected. A lot of hard work all down the “hole”.
‘This is criminal damage and it has been reported to the police. Any further information can be reported to the club.
‘Unlikely the perpetrators will ever be caught – hope they had a great time!
‘Unfortunately, it is a public bridleway, so there are limited options to stop this, particularly electric bikes.
‘We will investigate what, if anything, can be done to try and mitigate the risk.’
Peter Alliss, often known as the ‘Voice of Golf’, said that the ninth hole at the High Post Golf Club was one of his favourite holes in the world. The legendary BBC commentator is pictured here in 1998 with a new expandable golf club
Founded in 1922, High Post Golf Club was laid out by five-time Open champion JH Taylor.
Peter Alliss, often known as the ‘Voice of Golf’, said that the ninth hole was one of his favourite holes in the world.
The act of churning up a green has been branded ‘ripping’ – where the bike is kept stationary but its back wheel spins at top speed to dig a trench into the earth.
A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: ‘We have received a report of criminal damage at High Post Golf Club, which is believed to have happened overnight on December 6.
‘It’s believed the damage was caused by somebody riding a motocross bike over the putting green. Flags have also been stolen from the course. Enquiries are ongoing.’
