Golf course suffers $2,000 in damages

PALM AIRE — A rash of vandalism this weekend caused more than $2,000 in damages to the Palm Aire Golf Course, but the incident will not impact play for golfers.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report states that sometime between 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15 and 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, vandals damaged multiple greens and fairways at the course at 5601 Country Club Way, Sarasota. Unknown persons drove on the grounds with a motor vehicle — likely a golf cart — and also launched multiple fireworks from one of the greens.

Damages are estimated to be between $2,000 to $3,000, said Palm Aire Golf and Country Club General Manager John Costello.

Costello said the majority of the damage was limited to the practice green.

“This is on the practice putting green, so it’s not one of the actual golf holes,” Costello said. “It’s taken about one-third of practice green out of play. It was just a portion of it that was damaged.”

Costello said repairs were made to the practice green Monday, but the new grass will take several weeks to “heal in” nicely and be usable for golfers. Currently, the area is roped off.

Costello said he would like to offer a reward for valid information about who caused the damage. He may be reached at 355-9733. Residents also may contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 747-3011.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].