Thieves stole clothing and equipment from a storm damaged north-east golf club after smashing through a window with a car.
The cruel thieves smashed their way into the pro shop at Deeside Golf Club by driving into the main window with a car last night.
The course was almost completely destroyed after Storm Frank hit the region at the end of December last year.
After the River Dee burst its banks, the water swamped much of the ground and the bunkers were washed away. Silt mud also covered vast areas of grass and debris lay scattered on the grounds.
This afternoon golf club manager Debbie Pern said: “We were opening 10 holes of golf for the first time since the 23rd of December this morning. Then this happens last night. It is unbelievable.
“We were called out, myself and the professional, at midnight. An alarm goes off because there’s motion sensors that alert the police straight away.
“The police were on site and then the security company called us and we came out.
“We’re still counting the cost.”
The course has undergone major renovation work since it was destroyed by flood water in December.
It took staff several days to start work on the ground because the ground was frozen.
Golf members volunteered to help with the clear-up which has taken several weeks.
Ms Pern said the club was still a long way off from fully opening because of the damage.
She said: “It’s been a huge amount of work.
“We’re not finished with that yet.
“It’s going to be quite some time before we have the full 27 holes open.”
Police confirmed that a vehicle was used to break into the building.
Local inspector Kenny McGeough said: “I would ask that anyone who was in the area around the time in question and saw anything suspicious to contact the force as soon as possible. It is possible the car used could have been spotted in the car park by houses overlooking the area.
“Likewise, if you noticed anyone or anything unusual or suspicious in the shop or golf club in the days before, I would urge you to get in touch. I would also ask the public to look out for any suspicious golf clothes or clubs for sale in the coming days – it could well be the stolen goods.”
