THE owners of a Minehead golf club have spoken of their anger after a group of “mindless” yobs went on a vandalism rampage.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incident, which saw the vandals hotwire six golf buggies before they drove them through the course of Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club, wrecking the greens and snapping flag poles in their path.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused during the wrecking rampage, and the damage meant the golf course was forced to cancel the Disabled Golf Association event for May bank holiday.

Club captain Dorrien Bickerstaff described the vandals as “mindless”.

He said: “Nothing like this has happened here to this extent before. With the demographic of our membership and visitors, the golf buggies are a huge asset to the club enabling all to enjoy their game.

“This is quite a setback both financially and for morale.”

The vandals ripped off the dashboards of the golf buggies before hot-wiring and blowing the control units, before joyriding over the course, cutting up greens, snapping flags and damaging the bodywork of the carts.

Unbeknown to the vandals, the £6,000 buggies were security programmed not to be driven out of hours or anywhere but a predefined route.

This meant that as they tried to leave the course and drive along Warren Road toward the Esplanade, the GPS locked in and left them stranded on the roundabout.

Mr Bickerstaff added: “Despite a huge attempt to get the damaged vehicles mended or replaced, the proshop sadly ran out of time and the club had to let down the Disabled Golf Association.”

Club chairman Stephen Kaye added: “I would like to thank all those who volun- teered to help, your response was quite inspiring, and for the support of the club in proposing to host this event.”

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Police were called to investigate reports of the vandalism of four golf buggies at the golf club on April 19.

“One man from outside the area has been arrested in relation to the case.”

If anyone has any information, phone 101 and use the crime log number 5215083371