Fairfield police investigate vandalism at H. Smith Richardson Golf Course
Police said vandals did about $1,200 worth of damage to the 8th and 9th greens at H. Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield.
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Staff at H. Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield expected to find damage from the weekend's nor'easter when they made the rounds Monday morning. Downed trees and branches forced the course to close. What they didn't expect was to be dealing with more than just storm cleanup--vandalism on the 8th and 9th greens.
"Vandals destroyed these beautiful greens," said State Sen. Tony Hwang, who's a regular at the public course. "I was saddened by it but then I was infuriated by it that people violated a public property that is a treasure and enjoyed by so many people."
Fairfield police are now investigating and told News 12 a tool, possibly a golf club, was used to do about $1,200 worth of destruction. Police said there aren't cameras on the course but there are in the parking lot.
"I can say this - that our law enforcement takes this as a very serious violation of the public trust and public property and that this is a malicious as well as vandalistic criminal activity. And we're going to punish you," Hwang stated.
For golfers like Hwang, the damage was frustrating. For the maintenance crew, it meant adding vandalism repairs to an already lengthy storm cleanup.
But by late Tuesday morning, the signs of it were already fading, as staff worked to restore the greens and prepare the course for play again.
"My compliments to the grounds crew, the superintendent, the head golf professional," Hwang said. "I love this place."
The course is set to reopen Wednesday.
