Golf course again targeted by unknown vandals

A hole-in-one is something every golfer dreams about and, if they are lucky, will achieve in their lifetime, and one lucky young golfer had his first ace this past week on the 12th hole of the Union Lake Golf Course at Wise and Union Lake roads in Commerce Township.

However, what makes his hole-in-one even more remarkable is that he didn’t even know where he was shooting because just the night before someone had stolen the pin and flag from the green.

“It’s just a shame,” said owner John Schlicht. “(Having the flag gone) just takes away from something like that. He got a hole-in-one, and he didn’t even know what he was shooting at. Of course it still counts, but it just takes something away from it.”

This isn’t the first time flags and pins have gone missing at the links. Since the beginning of the golf season, Schlicht’s golf course has been vandalized six times. Those responsible have stolen the flags and pins, thrown tee markers in the adjacent creek, and just this past Monday, July 11, knocked over an outhouse.

While the flags and pins only cost about $50 each, the cost does add up — especially for a “mom-and-pop operation” — and Schlicht has had to involve law enforcement officials.

“I feel silly calling the police on something so small, but they said it’s necessary,” he said. “They’re worried that those responsible are going to start going into people’s garages or even something bigger. They want to try and prevent that.”

While Schlicht said he is unsure who keeps vandalizing his golf course, he said he believes the police may have an idea about who is culpable.

Meanwhile, Schlicht’s neighbors surrounding the golf course have been keeping a watchful eye.

“I get along well with my neighbors, and they will call me at my house when they notice something wrong, which is fantastic of them. They have been very helpful,” he said.