MINDLESS crooks chopped down a golf club’s £40,000 shot tracer during a rampage after breaking in to the venue.

Lexden Wood Golf Club also suffered damage to its ball collecting robot and tractor during the criminal spree in Colchester.

Golf operations manager James Holland said he was “devastated” to come across the destruction.

Essex Police has launched an appeal for anyone with information to contact its officers after an investigation proved unfruitful.

Gazette: Chopped down - crooks caused £40,000 worth of damage when they used an angle grinder to cut down the Trackman deviceChopped down - crooks caused £40,000 worth of damage when they used an angle grinder to cut down the Trackman device (Image: James Holland)

Gazette: Gutted - the club's golf operations manager James Holland discovered the damageGutted - the club's golf operations manager James Holland discovered the damage (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Holland, 23, said a £40,000 Trackman shot tracing camera was cut down by two crooks using an angle grinder, while a new robot cost £5,000.

He said replacing damaged cabling cost an extra £5,000 and estimated the club lost at least £10,000 worth of food and drink sales while repairs took place.

“The Trackman is absolutely fundamental to what we offer here,” said the manager, who lives at the club in Bakers Lane.

“We’ve had people phoning up asking if it is back up and running again and when we’ve said no, that’s the end of the phone call.

Gazette: Mindless - the club had to fork out £5,000 after its ball collecting robot was vandalisedMindless - the club had to fork out £5,000 after its ball collecting robot was vandalised (Image: James Holland)

Gazette: Break in - two vandals gained illegal access to Lexden Wood Golf Club in ColchesterBreak in - two vandals gained illegal access to Lexden Wood Golf Club in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

“These people could have nicked the camera but they just cut it loose and left it on the floor, that is the most frustrating thing.

“I went over there at 3.30am and saw it which was devastating. It is my first month here and I’m really trying to make a name for myself, so I’m gutted.”

He added: “With the Trackman we can run competitions and it is another thing that gets people down to the club.

“Now all of that has been put on hold and we have definitely noticed the effect.”

Gazette: Swinging - golfers at the club on FridaySwinging - golfers at the club on Friday (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Holland, who has played golf since he was 16, said he now patrols the club every evening to keep an eye out for any further incidents.

New cameras have also been purchased covering a wider range of angles at the venue.

A spokesman for Essex Police said its officers received a report of criminal damage at the club overnight on Sunday, October 1.

Anyone with information should call 101 and cite crime reference 42/176766/23.