DOUG Dowell is a frustrated man.
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After years of dealing with acts of vandalism and hoons destroying the fairways in their cars, the Aberdeen Golf Club committeeman can now add theft to the list of issues he's had to contend with.
For the second time in less than a month, thieves have stolen a vital piece off the organisation's irrigator, which oversees the watering of the nine-hole course.
That missing part, alone, renders the all-important equipment useless.
"It's very disheartening," Mr Dowell said.
"And, it goes beyond the realms of comprehension.
"Who does this?
"The first incident occurred three weeks ago.
"Unfortunately, the piece in question is out-of-date; you can't buy them anymore.
"So, we got Brooks Bros Engineering and Steel [at Scone] to manufacture another one for the club.
"That costs [us] a couple of hundred of bucks.
"Then on Tuesday night, the new piece was taken again.
"We can't operate the irrigator without it - and it's crucial at the moment, especially during the current dry conditions.
"It usually takes two weeks to water the course.
"This will be another setback for everyone.
"You just shake your head and wonder what they [thieves] are thinking."
What upsets Mr Dowell more than the incident itself is the inconvenience these actions cause for a selfless band of helpers at Aberdeen.
"All the workers down here at the club - about three or four of us - are volunteers," he said.
"We can't work out what enjoyment these people get from doing what they do.
"There have been a few thefts around the area recently, while vandalism has been a real problem for us in the past.
"It's gotten to the stage that we're now considering installing cameras around the course.
"It is a major annoyance to not only us but the golfers who play here."
