Evanston, August 24, 2025
News Summary
A late-night joyride using stolen university golf carts caused significant damage to the Evans at Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston. The incident resulted in visible tire marks and damage to eight holes, particularly affecting greens, with repair costs potentially reaching $25,000. Local volunteers assisted with emergency repairs, while law enforcement investigates the theft and vandalism. The course’s recent $6 million renovation and community support programs face setbacks due to lost revenue and facility damages.
Evanston — Golf Course Left in Ruins After Late-Night Joyride
In a brazen late-night incident that left turf managers and weekend golfers fuming, two golf carts belonging to a nearby university were taken in the small hours of Saturday morning and driven across a public course, creating chaos and tens of thousands of dollars in damage. What started as a carefree ride through a quiet neighborhood turned into a destructive joyride that ripped up greens, erased tee lines and forced the cancellation of most scheduled tee times.
What happened — quick timeline
Around 3 a.m., two university-owned golf carts were stolen from the 1900 block of Orrington Avenue, near the Foster-Walker Residential Complex. Surveillance footage from a nearby security camera captured the carts entering the Evans at Canal Shores Golf Course and then being driven across the property. Wilmette police had been alerted about ATV activity near the course at about 3:15 a.m. but found nothing when they checked the area.
Damage and discovery
The carts left visible tire marks across the course, damaging eight of the 18 holes. The most affected areas included holes 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10 through 13. Turf specialists warn that damage to greens is particularly expensive to fix; course management estimates the cost to replace the greens alone could reach $25,000. Overall damage is described as being in the tens of thousands of dollars.
One cart was later found flipped on its side at the intersection of Garrison Avenue and Isabella Street, missing a wheel, and with a broken windshield. The second cart was located later in the day at the 2300 block of Sherman Avenue. The vandalism and equipment damage forced cancellation of most tee times for the day, and course management reported lost revenue between $8,000 and $10,000 as a direct result.
Community impact and response
This golf course is more than fairways and flags — it recently underwent a $6 million renovation and supports local youth development programs, including scholarships for caddies. The work and programs mean the course serves families and young players in the area; the vandalism threatens both the physical surface and the programming that depends on normal operations.
Local volunteer crews, known as the Lumberjacks and Lumberjills, rolled up their sleeves and helped with emergency repairs after the incident. Even so, replacing damaged turf and mending greens is a painstaking process that can take weeks to months, depending on the severity and the cure time for new sod or seeded greens.
Law enforcement and potential charges
Evanston police said those responsible may face felony charges for criminal property damage. University police are conducting a separate investigation into the theft of the golf carts. With surveillance footage showing the carts entering the course and recovery of the vehicles at nearby intersections and blocks, investigators have material to work with as they piece together the timeline.
Why this matters for golfers
For serious players and casual weekend golfers alike, the damage to greens and fairways hits where it hurts. Greens are the heart of scoring, and disrupted green surfaces change pace, roll and hole locations. Lost tee times impact practice routines and league schedules. And beyond the immediate playability issues, the financial hit to the course can slow down planned maintenance, youth initiatives and community outreach tied to the facility.
Takeaway for the golf community
This incident is a reminder that course stewardship requires more than mowing and watering — it needs community vigilance and respect for public spaces. Repair will take time and money, but the involvement of dedicated volunteers and course staff shows the local golf community is ready to protect what they love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where did the carts come from?
A: The two carts belonged to a university and were stolen from the 1900 block of Orrington Avenue near the Foster-Walker Residential Complex.
Q: When did the incident happen?
A: The theft occurred around 3 a.m. on Saturday morning. Police were alerted to ATV activity around 3:15 a.m.
Q: How much damage was done?
A: Damage is estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars. Replacing damaged greens alone could cost up to $25,000. The course also reported lost revenue between $8,000 and $10,000 due to canceled tee times.
Q: Which holes were affected?
A: Eight holes were damaged: holes 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10 through 13.
Q: Were the carts recovered?
A: Yes. One cart was found flipped on its side at Garrison Avenue and Isabella Street and was missing a wheel. The second cart was located later at the 2300 block of Sherman Avenue.
Q: Are there any legal consequences?
A: Evanston police said the responsible parties could face felony criminal property damage charges. University police are also conducting an investigation into the thefts.
Q: How can the community help?
A: Volunteer repair crews already assisted. Community support for fundraising, keeping an eye on course property, and reporting suspicious activity to local authorities can help speed recovery and deter future incidents.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location of theft | 1900 block of Orrington Avenue (near Foster-Walker Residential Complex) |
| Time | Around 3:00 a.m.; police alert at ~3:15 a.m. |
| Course affected | Evans at Canal Shores Golf Course |
| Holes damaged | 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 |
| Estimated repair cost | Tens of thousands of dollars; greens replacement up to $25,000 |
| Revenue loss | $8,000–$10,000 from canceled tee times |
| Cart recovery locations | One flipped at Garrison Ave & Isabella St (missing wheel); second at 2300 block of Sherman Ave |
| Law enforcement | Evanston police (possible felony property damage); university police investigating cart thefts |
| Community response | Volunteers (Lumberjacks and Lumberjills) helped with repairs; course supports youth programs and caddie scholarships |
For golfers keeping score and clubs in the trunk, this is a reminder that course conditions can change overnight and that community stewardship plays a big role in protecting greens and fairways. Follow local course updates for reopening timelines and volunteer repair opportunities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Evanston Golf Course Damaged by Stolen Golf Carts
Boston Man Arrested for Vandalizing Cars with Golf Club
Additional Resources
- ABC7 Chicago
- Wikipedia: Golf Course Vandalism
- Evanston RoundTable
- Google Search: Evanston Golf Course Vandalism
- CBS News Chicago
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf Course Affect
- Chicago Tribune
- Google News: Chicago Golf Course Damage
- Patch
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