Golfers have been left devastated after thieves stole dozens of historic trophies from a County Durham club.
Thieves broke into Chester-le-Street Golf Club through a window and targeted the cabinet that had trophies dating back 100 years.
Club director Martin Fairley said around 50 trophies were taken, wiping the club’s long history away in one night.
He said: “It is not so much the value of the trophies, you can’t really value them, but the history.
“Some of the trophies are about 100 years old or plus. The club was founded in 1908 and one of the trophies goes back to about 1921.
“Many of the trophies were donated by families and members who still have family playing.
“We have a long standing history of families coming through the club.
“There will be family here of the people who donated the trophy here.”
CCTV shows the intruder breaking into the club through the window and heading straight for the trophy cabinet, Martin said.
It is believed the suspects then made off in a vehicle.
He added: “They headed straight for the cabinet and smashed that. We spent three hours cleaning the glass up after. They ran along and put them in a duvet case.
“One of the biggest trophies they left the base and lid.”
Durham Constabulary officers are now appealing for anyone who may have been offered the trophies to get in touch.
Anyone with information is asked to call DC Bentham on 101 quoting incident number 440 of April 5.
