Bosses at a golf club have been left 'devastated' after quad bikers tore up fairways and greens.
Several areas of the course at Wigan Golf Club have been left a mess after bikers wreaked havoc on Monday night.
It means the club will now have to be shut for several days while the damaged turf is repaired.
Furious bosses estimate the full repair work could take several weeks and cost upwards of £1,000.
It is believed that the off-road vehicles drove on to the course at some point between 10pm and 11pm on Monday.
When bosses arrived the following morning, they discovered tyre marks and mounds of turf which had been torn up.
Dave Jarvis, one of the club's directors, said he felt 'gutted' upon seeing the trail of destruction.
He added: "They have driven on in the dark and done doughnuts.
"They have done it in several places quite a distance away from each other, so they have had a good wander round the course.
"We have quad bikes on before but normally the course is dry and it does not cause a problem.
"This time, because it is so wet, it has cut it up really bad."
The affected areas include fairways on the 17th and 18th holes, as well as the 4th and 18th greens.
Pictures of the damage were posted on the golf club's Facebook page on Tuesday morning, and were met with an outpouring of disbelief and anger.
Bosses say they are especially frustrated as it comes as the club battles to get back on its feet following a difficult few months.
Golf clubs across the UK were forced to shut for several weeks when the UK was plunged into lockdown back in March.
They were allowed to reopen in May, but many are still feeling the impact of being unable to host fundraising events.
Mr Jarvis explains that Wigan Golf Club took the 'calculated risk' of continuing to pay green staff during the period they were closed to ensure the course was in mint condition for members returning.
However, finances are tight and the club is heavily reliant on membership subscriptions.
"Lockdown was difficult for all golf clubs," said Mr Jarvis.
"Last winter was a very wet one, so that was tough enough and then it was followed by lockdown.
"This damage just causes more inconvenience for members, who pay a lot of money to play here. There are competitions going on.
"These people should think before they act.
"Five minutes of wanton disregard is going to cause months of frustration, anger and hard work to put it right."
Wigan Golf Club, which dates back to 1898, is based in Haigh, several miles north of Wigan town centre.
Mr Jarvis explained that as a public road runs through the middle of the course, it is difficult for the club to prevent access to the site.
Police have been informed of the vandalism, while the golf club will be reviewing its own CCTV footage from the evening.
Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further information.
