HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police are trying to figure out who is responsible for causing thousands of dollars of damage at the Country Club of Virginia’s James River location.
As many as five greens on the James River golf course were doused with gasoline sometime Tuesday night, but the extent of the damage remains unclear.
While it was originally believed that the greens were also set on fire, the head greenskeeper at the country club said that there was just gasoline that had been dumped on the greens. The greenskeeper said that gasoline can still damage greens.
He told Jon Burkett that he doesn't believe that someone set fire to the grass.
Crime Insider sources told Jon Burkett that early damage estimates are at around $60,000.
The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is supposed to happen at the course Oct. 19-23. The event hosts the top golfers on the PGA’s champions tour -- if the entire course will be playable.
“This is definitely a setback and disappointing, but we're going to get it straightened out and get it back to as good as it can be as quickly as we can,” Country Club of Virginia Golf Superintendent Christian Sain said.
Dominion Energy Charity Classic Tournament officials got their first look at the damage Wednesday afternoon and issued this statement.
“Having worked with Christian Sain and the club's staff for six plus years now, we have all the confidence that by the time The Dominion Energy Charity Classic arrives a month from now, the golf course will be in top condition,” Dominion Energy Charity Classic Executive Director Steve Schoenfeld wrote.
The tournament is one of the biggest public events that Henrico County hosts each year. It has raised more than $7 million for local charities in its brief history.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
