Justin Rose leads condemnation after motorcyclists vandalise Walton Heath golf course

Justin Rose has expressed his dismay at the weekend vandalism of Walton Heath, the famous Surrey course where he hosted the British Masters 18 months ago, with Eddie Pepperell, the winner of that event, pointing out that the motor-cyclists would not have committed the damage if the club had not been closed due to the pandemic lockdown.

Police are searching for the four bikers after being alerted by Walton Heath, the former Ryder Cup venue. A video of the incident taken by a member of the public also went viral on social media.

“Some of our green-keeping team, who were just finishing their shift at 6.30pm last night [Sunday], heard the motorbikes and ran out in time to see the bikes on the first fairway and green of the New Course,” Michael Mann, the course manager said. “We contacted Surrey Police, who confirmed that this was criminal damage and informed us that they would be investigating the incident.

“They performed ‘donuts’ and ‘wheelies’ on the green and fairway, causing turf to be ripped up. Thankfully, we have a turf nursery and three of our team spent about five hours this morning repairing the damage.”

Rose, the reigning Olympic champion, viewed the clip and posted on Twitter: “Can’t believe this’. Later, the Englishman told Telegraph Sport: “When I saw it, I was really dismayed. Walton Heath is a place that is dear to my heart, having played there many times as an amateur and, of course, hosting the British Masters there in 2018. I don’t really understand mindless vandalism like this.”

Pepperell concurred. “The way my mind works, my initial thought was that maybe these prats had taken the fact that the first on the New Course is a ‘driveable’ par four a little too literally, but this is no laughing matter,” Pepperell told Telegraph Sport. 

“Unfortunately, you’re always going to get idiots like this. I guess it wouldn’t have happened if the course was open, because there would have been people on there to stop them. But having said that, that’s not an excuse for the lockdown to be lifted with regards to playing golf.”

This is the fifth week in which UK golf clubs  have been shut after the coronavirus measures were put in place, but Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary, said last week that the government is “gathering evidence” to see if courses, both private and public, can re-open soon because of the open nature of the game and the ease with which social distancing could be practised.

However, Wales Golf has denied reports that it plans independently to give the go-ahead next month - perhaps as soon as May 7  - saying it remains “fully supportive of the current government directives”.

“We will continue to work closely with the R&A, other GB & I golf bodies and relevant government departments in developing and agreeing the necessary protocols to help ensure that golf is as ready as it can be re-start when it is deemed safe to do so by the appropriate authorities,” the statement added.