GOLF:ROYAL COUNTY Down Golf Club confirmed a number of greens were vandalised this week and, despite the inconvenience, the renowned championship course remained open for business.

Fortunately acts of vandalism to golf courses around the country are not commonplace but, on this occasion, those responsible seemingly took a wedge to a number of greens and hacked divots out of the putting surfaces.

Several greens on the second course, the Annesley Links, were also targeted.

And as a further insult, paint was also poured over an area of the long green at the par five first hole at the Newcastle venue where the Walker Cup was staged in 2007.

The police were contacted and their investigations are ongoing.

Repair work to the damaged areas was carried out immediately by green-keeping staff and the championship links remained open for business despite the setback.

One source played the course yesterday and said there was no affect on the playing experience.

Given the vast acreage of golf courses it is difficult to see how any of the 400 plus clubs in Ireland could up their security to avoid the vandalism which RCD was subjected to and the Co Down club has no intention of changing their policy on security.

There is an obvious reluctance to highlight incidents such as this, particularly in these straitened times, when reputation and high standards are crucial factors in attracting new and repeat business.

Bookings at the 122-year-old venue are strong for the year ahead as overseas and domestic visitors remain keen as ever to test themselves on the famous Old Tom Morris design.

The incident, however, proves no course is immune to acts of vandalism, even the course voted number one in Golf Digest Ireland’s “Top Ranked Courses in Ireland 2010” and has a championship layout which consistently features in the top 10 of international listings.