PICTURED: Vandals' trail of destruction at historic Staffordshire golf club

Staff at Beau Desert Golf Club, in Cannock, arrived to find that the 10th and 11th greens of their 18 hole championship course had been damaged by vehicles.

These pictures, which were shared by a police officer on social media in a bid to try and catch the culprits, show the extent of the vandalism.

An investigation has now been launched by Staffordshire Police and anyone with information is being urged to come forward.

The 104-year-old club is situated a designated area of outstanding beauty off Rugeley Road, about five miles north of Cannock, and has been named in the Top 100 UK courses for nearly three decades.

Golfing greats like Sir Henry Cotton, Tony Jacklin, Sandy Lyle and Peter Alliss have all enjoyed its challenging holes.

Officials at the golf club did not want to comment but community leaders have condemned the vandalism.

Cannock Chase Council leader George Adamson said: "I'm pretty disgusted about it all.

"We've had a spate of vandalism in the area. There has just been vandalism at the children's play area at Cannock stadium. It's a bit of a worry.

"I hope the police clamp down and find the offenders."

Hednesford North Councillor Alan Pearson, who lives near the golf club, added: "It's a well known golf course. I hadn't heard about the vandalism but it's a crying shame and another cost for the club."

Police say the criminal damage is believed to have happened at some time between 6pm on Sunday and the early hours of Monday.

A police spokesman said: "We received a call just before 11am on Monday reporting criminal damage at Beau Desert Golf Club.

"Officers attended the scene. It is believed that a vehicle has caused damage to two greens.

"The incident occurred between 6pm on October 18 and early hours of Monday morning."

The club, originally called the Hednesford and District Golf Club, was formed in 1911 by a group of solicitors, estate agents and other businessmen who played on a course now occupied by Cannock and District Cricket Club.

It later moved across the road to a course designed for the Marquis of Anglesey.

When the First World War started, the marquis opened the course to local players, and in 1921 leased it to the Hednesford golfers, by then 193-strong, who renamed themselves the Beau Desert Golf Club.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 232 of October 19.