Five Greens Massacred
In Golf Course Vandalism

Paul Meunier, manager of Montague Golf Course, is a study in discouragement as he examines the damage on the brand-new Green #5, which was totally destroyed by vandals on golf carts. (Herald photo / M. D. Drysdale)

Randolph police are investigating yet another vandalism assault on Montague Golf Club, discovered last Friday morning.

In the newest incident, which began about 12:30 a.m., five greens were badly damaged and two golf carts were driven off the premises and totaled.

One person, Michael F. Silloway, 23, of Randolph, has already been cited to court in connection with this latest incident. Randolph police continue to investigate the September 16 vandalism, as they believe that others were involved.

This latest incident comes just as Randolph officers were wrapping up investigation of a vandalism spree in July, which left three carts destroyed. Five people have been cited to court in that earlier case. (See side article.)

Montague Golf Club contacted the police department at 7 a.m. last Friday to report the latest damage. Officer David Leighton responded and discovered that entry to the basement level of the clubhouse had been forced, giving the perpetrators access to the cart storage area.

The basement had been pressed into use as a cart garage this summer, in an attempt to stem recent vandalism. Up until mid-July, the carts had been stored outdoors.

Sgt. Leighton reported, however, that it would not have taken much effort to force the door, as the lock was "not substantial."

The break-in did activate an audible alarm, the officer noted, but the system was not electronically linked to a monitoring station. Police learned that at least one neighbor heard the alarm, at 12:30 a.m., but did not report anything to police.

The vandals drove two carts out of the storage area and onto the greens. A sign, trees and shrubs, and "peripheral equipment" were also damaged. The two carts were driven off the Montague property, where they were crashed and abandoned.

Evidence was discovered on scene that led police to a "possible suspect," who was Silloway. In an interview, Silloway admitted to having been at the golf course, police said.

Silloway was subsequently processed at the RPD station on two felony charges—unlawful mischief and aggravated operation without owner’s consent; and on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful trespass.

He was issued a citation to appear in Orange District Court on Oct. 24.

Anyone with information related to this latest incident is asked to contact Randolph police at 728-3737.

'The Worst Yet'

Last week’s incident was the fourth time this year that Montague has been vandalized.

"This was the worst yet," said Paul Meunier, Montague's golf pro and manager. "There was severe damage to greens. It will take the rest of this year and most of next year to repair them."

Two of the older greens just west of the clubhouse—hole numbers 10 and 18—were dug up by golf carts which traced circular patterns round and round, throwing up pieces of sod.

But it was three brand new greens—numbers 5, 6, and 7—that sustained the most severe damage. These three greens had been meticulously rebuilt as part of a major upgrade. The work had taken all summer, and the greens were still soft and not scheduled to be played until next year.

The damage at those greens fortified the impression that the damage was targeted and purposeful.

"This was not joyriding," Meunier said. "They wanted to cause monetary damage. "

Emotions among club members who had just heard about the new damage were running high.

"If you need some help to hang the b-----s," one member offered, and the "b" word was frequently employed by others.

The destruction will indeed hit Montague in the pocketbook, at a time when the club has undertaken financial risks to improve the golf course. During most of this year, the "greens fee" charge to play the course was reduced from $28 to $15, because not all of the greens were available. That lowered fee now will likely have to be continued well into next year, resulting in a significant loss of revenue.

Two of the greens will have to be completely rebuilt, Meunier said. He explained that trying to repair the greens would leave tiny patterns in the sod that would affect the way the balls roll.

As they did during other rampages, the vandals took the stolen golf carts down the path beside the Third Branch. Meunier speculated that the culprits knew the area well, navigating between tight trees in the middle of the night.

Eventually both carts came to grief, one of them smashed into a tree and the other falling—or pushed—into the river.

Celebration Spoiled

Ironically, the latest destruction came less than a week after Montague Golf Club had held a big dinner dance to celebrate the completion of the green-rebuilding project this summer.

Don Wood was in charge of the roast pig, and Jim Sault spun CDs for the dancing.

In addition to the party, held Saturday the 10th, a silent auction was held, netting $4000. At the time that seemed like a nice deposit on the future. Now, it's not nearly enough even to get back to the starting gate.

SIDEBAR

Five Cited for 7/11 Vandalism

After months of investigation, Randolph police have cited five individuals to court on felony charges for a July 11 vandalism spree at the Randolph golf club.

In that early-morning incident, numerous golf carts were hotwired and moved, with three driven off the course and then totaled and abandoned.

Three adults and two juveniles, 16 and 17, have each been cited to appear in court next month on felony charges of grand larceny, aggravated operation of a motor vehicle without owner’s consent, and unlawful mischief.

The adults cited are Mark Rogers, 23, and Dexter Russell, 19, both of Randolph; and Brandy Johnson, 19, who lives in southern Vermont. She has periodically resided in the area, police said.

Police have not named the two male juveniles who have been cited. One is from Randolph, and the other is currently in Florida.

Police do not generally release the names of juveniles cited for offenses, but the two names will become public on arraignment in Orange District Court next month, because their cases are will be processed in adult court, police indicated.

Randolph Police Chief Jim Krakowiecki this week estimated that he and officer Tom Simpson spent well over 120 hours in the investigation.

One of those cited in the July 11 vandalism recently spent some time in Southern State Correctional Center. Mark Rogers was initially ordered held without bail, after being found in violation of probation, in connection with a prior conviction.

Police said that Rogers made bail and was released last Monday, Sept. 12.

According the Orange District Court records, Rogers admitted the violation and probation was continued with modified conditions.