The Rayleigh Club, on Hullbridge Road, has revealed it will now have a team of marshals patrolling the course through the night after the “mindless vandalism”.

Damage over the weekend was the second time in as many weeks that vandals have caused trouble at the course.

Club officials stated that entry to the course was gained through an unauthorised cut-through that bypasses the designated public footpath, raising concerns about continued breaches of security on the private property.

Rochford councillor and resident of the area, Danielle Belton, said: “I was infuriated to hear that the golf course had been vandalised over the weekend.

“We are lucky to have such a great venue in the area, and this type of mindless behaviour not only costs a local business thousands of pounds to rectify but means members and visitors alike lose out.

“If anyone has any information about the individuals responsible I urge them to report it to the police, which can be done anonymously if preferred.”

To combat the ongoing vandalism, The Rayleigh Club has announced increased security measures, including overnight patrols by a team of marshals.

The club is also considering further steps to protect the grounds, including the installation of fencing at all unauthorised entry points if the incidents persist.

In a statement, bosses at the golf course said: “We have discovered thousands of pounds worth of damage to our golf course, through vandalism.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time, damage was also found last weekend.

“In order to prevent this mindless behaviour, there will be a team of marshals patrolling the course throughout the night going forward.

“Entry is being gained through a cut-through that is not the public footpath, therefore this is criminal damage on private property.

“The club will be looking at fencing off all entry points to the course that are not public footpaths should this situation continue.”