,Evanston, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Over the weekend in Evanston, university-owned golf carts were stolen and driven around a local golf course, causing extensive damage to the turf and equipment. The joyride resulted in thousands of dollars in repair costs and has led to an ongoing police investigation. Authorities suspect intoxicated students from a nearby university may be responsible for the incident, prompting concerns over security measures at the facility.
Evanston: Late-night Golf Cart Joyride Leaves Course with Thousands in Damage
If you know the local golf scene, this one lands like a rogue tee shot—unexpected, loud, and expensive to fix. Over the weekend, vandals took at least two golf carts from a university operation and used them for a joyride around an Evanston golf course. The midnight escapade turned into a costly mess that course staff are still cleaning up.
What went down
During the late-night Saturday hours, the stolen carts were driven across fairways and turf, leaving a trail of ripped turf, churned-up soil, and broken equipment. One cart was discovered flipped on its side with a missing wheel, and the second cart was later abandoned in the 2300 block of Sherman Avenue. Local police are investigating, and authorities think the culprits may have been students from the nearby university who were intoxicated at the time.
Damage and impact
The joyride cost the course thousands of dollars in damage. That figure includes immediate repair of turf and divots, parts replacement for the vehicles, and time for grounds crews to get the course playable again. A flipped cart alone can cause serious gouges in greenside edges and fairways, and repairing compacted soil and reseeding can take weeks or longer depending on the weather.
Why this matters to golfers
For golfers who love this popular spot near Chicago, the consequences go beyond an angry groundskeeper. Damaged turf affects ball roll and lies, tee boxes and greens may be closed while repairs happen, and course conditions can deteriorate if repairs are rushed. The incident also revives memories of previous raucous golf events in the area that forced temporary closures and left a bad taste for regulars who expect well-kept surfaces.
Investigation and suspected causes
Police are pursuing leads. Early reports point to intoxicated students as likely suspects, but the investigation is ongoing. The two carts were recovered—one on its side and disabled, another left on a nearby street—but responsibility still needs to be proven. Evidence such as surveillance footage, witness accounts, and the physical state of the carts will be key.
From a course maintenance perspective
Grounds crews now face standard recovery steps: inspection of turf compaction, aeration where necessary, reseeding, replacing damaged sod, and checking irrigation and subsurface compaction. Rebuilding a line of divots across a fairway is time-consuming and usually costly; the course’s maintenance budget will absorb immediate repair costs and may reallocate funds from other projects to get conditions back to normal for members and daily players.
How this could have been prevented
The incident highlights vulnerabilities many courses face: unsecured carts, keys left in vehicles, and limited after-hours monitoring. Recommendations from course operations specialists include stricter key control, a secure cart storage area, after-hours locks, and reviewing staff procedures for securing fleet vehicles. These measures can reduce the chance of a midnight joyride turning into a multi-thousand-dollar cleanup.
Community reaction
Locals and regular golfers are frustrated but eager to see accountability and swift repairs. The course remains a favorite for many, and crews are working to restore normal play as soon as it’s safe and fair for players. The event serves as a reminder for communities near campus life to keep an eye out during big social nights and for students to understand the consequences when pranks go wrong.
FAQ
What happened at the Evanston golf course?
Two university-owned golf carts were stolen during late-night hours and driven around the course. The joyride caused thousands of dollars in damage to turf and equipment, and one cart was found flipped over while the other was abandoned on a nearby street.
Were there any injuries?
No injuries have been reported in connection with this incident. The primary impact was property damage and course disruption.
How much did the damage cost?
Damage estimates are described as totaling thousands of dollars. Exact figures depend on final repair work and parts replacement.
Who is suspected of taking the carts?
Investigators suspect intoxicated students from the nearby university may have been involved, but the investigation is ongoing and no formal charges have been announced yet.
What will the course do to repair the damage?
Repair steps typically include turf repair or replacement, aeration, reseeding, equipment repairs, and checking for subsurface damage. Repairs may take days to weeks depending on extent and weather.
How can golf courses prevent this in the future?
Securing cart storage, tighter key control, improved after-hours monitoring, and community awareness around major social events are common prevention strategies.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| City | Evanston |
| When | Late-night Saturday |
| Where (carts found) | Course fairways; one cart flipped on site; second cart abandoned at 2300 block of Sherman Avenue |
| Damage | Thousands of dollars; turf and vehicle repairs |
| Suspected culprits | Intoxicated university students (under investigation) |
| Investigation | Local police investigating; evidence collection ongoing |
| Course status | Popular near Chicago; repairs underway to restore playing conditions |
For golfers keeping an eye on course conditions, expect some short-term changes to playability as crews make repairs. For managers, this incident is a reminder to review security and vehicle procedures—because when a midnight prank meets turf and equipment, everyone ends up paying the tab.
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Additional Resources
- MSN: Vandals Damage Golf Course
- Wikipedia: Golf Cart
- WCIA: Mattoon City Council Golf Cart Ordinance
- Google Search: Golf Cart Ordinances
- NBC Chicago: Golf Carts on Streets
- Google Scholar: Golf Carts Usage Rules
- Shaw Local: Elburn Golf Cart Regulations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf Carts
- WAND TV: Golf Carts on Streets in Mattoon
- Google News: Golf Cart News
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