Break-ins at the golf course

By Valerie Winger
The recent incident at the golf course in Redwater has left the volunteer directors, who
manage the course’s overall operation, deeply concerned. In the early hours of the
morning, a theft occurred, resulting in the disappearance of 21-hole flags and sponsor
signs. The motive behind this act remains unknown, and the directors are determined to
find the responsible individuals or have the stolen items returned.
Being a non-profit society registered under the Societies Act of Alberta, the golf course
operates on self-funding without receiving any financial support from the Town of
Redwater or Sturgeon County. Therefore, the loss of the hole flags and sponsor signs is
a significant blow, as the replacement cost is an unexpected expense. The absence of
hole flags presents a challenge for golfers, especially those unfamiliar with the course,
as it hinders their ability to locate the greens, particularly on dogleg holes. Additionally,
replacing the sponsor signs poses another financial burden, without any assurance of
reimbursement from the sponsors.
This is not the first incident to hit the golf course community; several break-ins have
resulted in the loss of equipment and tools, further straining their resources. The
cumulative impact of these incidents affects the course’s ability to maintain and enhance
its facilities, which are primarily intended to benefit the residents of Redwater, the
surrounding areas, as well as junior and senior golfers from all over.
The golf course prides itself on being an inclusive and family-friendly establishment,
striving to provide a great experience for all golfers, while actively supporting junior and
school team golfers. However, there are times when financial constraints make it
challenging to maintain the course to the desired standards, let alone undertake
improvements. Such unexpected expenses, like those caused by the theft, have a
profound effect on their operations and hamper their commitment to serve the
community.
The volunteer directors are now seeking the support of the public and authorities to
recover the stolen items and hold those responsible accountable. They are open to
collaborating with the local paper either by providing an article detailing the incident or
participating in an interview to raise awareness about the situation. Any information from
the community that could help apprehend the culprits or recover the stolen items would
be highly appreciated.
Overall, the directors remain dedicated to upholding the golf course’s mission to provide
a valuable recreational space for the community, despite facing financial challenges.
They hope that with the support of the public and appropriate measures taken by law
enforcement, the stolen items will be retrieved, and the perpetrators will be brought to
justice.

The Redwater golf course experienced an outpouring of support and solidarity from the
community in the wake of overnight thefts that affected the establishment. The incidents
prompted the community to rally together, showing their love and care for the golf course.