Vandals strike Hidden Falls golf course in Meadowlakes
MEADOWLAKES — Investigators need the public’s help locating the vandals who tore about 80 divots into the 15th green and caused an estimated $1,000 damage at Hidden Falls Golf Club.
"I looked at it and I would estimate it was three or four people involved," said Jeff Wilson, the club’s general manager and director of golf. "They were using golf clubs. They did a pretty good number on us."
The incident is just the latest episode of vandalism to plague the gated community inside Marble Falls.
The vandals struck the green, located along Firestone Drive, sometime from 7 p.m. Nov. 1 to 7 a.m. Nov. 2.
The divots — or slices in the turf — range in size from small to large, Wilson said.
Crews stayed busy Nov. 2 fixing the damage and hoped to have the hole repaired soon.
"It’s going to take about 20-man hours to fix, not including supplies," Wilson said. "I estimate the damage to be at least $1,000. It’s hard to say if we’ll lose any revenue from it. Most people understand things like this happen."
Wilson said the damage won’t be completely repaired until spring.
"We’re entering the non-growing season, so it’s not going to mend over all the way," he said. "It’s something we’ll have to live with over the winter."
Meadowlakes has had its issues with criminal mischief, vandalism and even vehicle burglaries in the past. In 2009, the city adopted a juvenile curfew in response to a wave of mischief in June that year.
In April 2010, city officials urged residents to lock their car doors after people reported a string of vehicle burglaries. Meadowlakes increased its law enforcement patrols this year in response to concerns over crime, including vandalism.
The community even created a neighborhood watch program.
Wilson said Meadowlakes homeowners have a tendency to look out for each other and the community.
"So, we’re hoping somebody may have seen something and will report it," he said.
Anyone with information can call the golf club at (830) 693-3300; the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office at (512) 756-8080; or the Hill Country Crime Stoppers at 1-888-765-TIPS.