"SOMEONE must have a vendetta against us - it's all I can put it down to."
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That's how committeeman Doug Dowell summed up the latest "attacks" on the Aberdeen Golf Club.
Following a number of incidents in August, which saw thieves steal a vital piece off the organisation's irrigator that administers the watering of the nine-hole course, a member installed a security camera in one of the trees.
And, it was aimed directly at the hydrant.
But, after a couple of days in operation, unknown felons have pinched the camera, too.
"It beggars belief," Mr Dowell said.
"They would have needed a ladder to get it - as it was situated fairly high in the tree.
"Unfortunately, that's not the end of the story."
On Friday morning, unwanted intruders also turned off the hydrant, while the third fairway was being irrigated.
That action, in itself, forces the pressure from the pump to build up and the water to boil over in the system.
In other words, it could have blown, according to Mr Dowell.
"When Barry Moore arrived, he found smoke/steam coming out of the well," he said.
"So, it [the system] had to be turned off.
"I don't think people realise we do not use town water, everything runs off the well.
"However, if the pump is out of control, the grass on the greens will die within a week.
"And, that's bloody inconvenient, especially during a drought.
"We're not sure of the extent of the damage at this stage, but it might be substantial.
"I honestly don't know who'd do this.
"I've been in contact with Hunter Valley Police District and, hopefully, they'll look into it.
"For all of us volunteers it's just very disheartening.
"Over the past few years, we've had to deal with acts of vandalism and hoons destroying fairways in their cars."
