The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Community teed off at golf club break-ins
Crowdfunder set up after intruders target building for second time in two weeks
A close-knit Fife community is rallying round its local golf club after suffering two break-ins in as many weeks that “could not have come at a worse time”.
Falkland Golf Club was targeted by crowbar-wielding thieves just over a week ago when £800 in cash was taken from the premises. But the clubhouse was again broken into in the early hours of Monday and, although nothing was stolen on this occasion, the culprits left a trail of destruction that will prove extremely costly to fix.
A fundraising page has now been set up by club captain David Thomson’s daughter Hannah to raise at least £2,000 towards bolstering security and paying for CCTV cameras to ensure the club, which has been going since 1902, will not be targeted again.
“This is a local, family-friendly golf club that often hosts whisky and beer tastings, pub quizzes and open days to raise money for the club,” she said.
“They cannot afford this kind of setback.”
A Fife community is rallying around its local golf club after its clubhouse was broken into twice in the space of a week.
“Significant” damage was done at Falkland Golf Club in the early hours of Monday, although the intruders left empty-handed.
A week ago, £800 was stolen during the first break-in.
During that theft it is understood the culprits used a crowbar to prise open a fire escape door before using a chair to smash their way into the kitchen.
They then used the crowbar to get into the clubhouse’s cellar, from which the cash was taken.
Although nothing was taken during Monday’s break-in, those behind the vandalism again managed to gain access to the building.
Captain David Thomson said the club, which has operated since 1902 and is extremely popular with locals and visitors, had already been “struggling financially” prior to the crimes which “could not have come at a worse time”. He said: “It’s devastating.
“You try and do your best for the community facility. We try to do as much as we can for the local community.
“It’s a welcoming little club. It’s galling.
“It means a huge amount to me and it’s quite upsetting.”
David’s daughter Hannah has set up a fundraising page in a bid to raise £2,000 for the club in order to cover insurance excess, pay for extra security on the doors and install CCTV.
Donors have already ensured the target is well on its way to being met.
Hannah said: “This is a local, familyfriendly golf club that often hosts whisky and beer tastings, pub quizzes and open days to raise money for the club.
“They cannot afford this kind of setback.”
Falkland Cricket Club, which plays its matches nearby, urged its members and local people to help their sporting counterparts get back on their feet.
“We wish them well and I’m sure some of our followers will want to support,” a spokesman said.
Police have confirmed they are investigating the incidents and had been alerted to Monday’s break-in at around 5.15am.
Anyone wishing to donate to Falkland Golf Club should visit gofundme.com/f/ help-falkland-golf-club.
“We try to do as much as we can for the local community. It’s a welcoming little club. It’s galling. DAVID THOMSON