POLICE are hunting thieves who broke in to Mendip Golf Club’s clubhouse, smashed open the trophy cabinet, and made off with a bag full of precious trophies.
It is thought that rocks and stones were used to break the window of a fire exit door at the club, at Gurney Slade, near Wells, in the early hours of Friday, July 18.
Stones were then used to shatter the glass cabinet housing the trophies. Approximately 25 were taken, valued at about £5,000, although the club says that the memories and sentimental value are priceless.
The trophies were donated to the club by past members and families and hold many memories for the families and the winners, whose names were engraved on them.
CCTV footage shared with the police is said to show three individuals arriving in a dark-coloured car. A pane of glass in the fire exit door was smashed, as was the glass cabinet, and the thieves made off with a ‘dumpy’ bag of trophies.
Over the same weekend, Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club was also targeted by burglars who stole golf trophies. Police say they cannot comment yet on whether these or other similar crimes are linked.
Mendip Golf Club has remained open as usual despite the break-in.
Stuart Disney, the Golf Club Manager, said: “It’s very sad that all this history has been lost. It’s the sentiment and meaning that will never come back.”
A police spokesman said: “We received a 101 call to an overnight burglary at Mendip Golf Club, Gurney Slade, at around 7.40am on Friday, July 18.
“The offender is reported to have smashed a window in the fire exit door to gain access and a cabinet was then broken into and several trophies were stolen.
“The burglar alarm at the golf club was triggered at 4.47am on the same day and CCTV enquiries have been carried out. Three males wearing gloves in a car described as a dark car were at the scene. Investigations are ongoing.
“If anyone has any information in relation to the burglary, or who may have dashcam footage at the time of the incident or the moments leading up to it, they are asked to call us on 101 quoting reference number 5225203242.”
Other burglaries in recent months involving the theft of golf trophies have taken place at Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club, Teignmouth Golf Club, Saunton Golf Club and clubs in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.