A GOLF club’s fairway has become a “winter playground” for covidiots who are using the run for sledging with no social distancing and are trashing the course.

Angry bosses at the Boyce Hill club revealed there had been “sustained damage” to the course and the clubhouse, with water fountains torn out the ground, pots smashed, and a huge pile of empty beer bottles left.

In a scathing social media post, the club in Benfleet also revealed how no social distancing was being adhered to by those trespassing.

A spokesman from the club, on Vicarage Hill, said: “As much as the snow has been great for many of you; we on the other hand, as a club, we have sustained excessive damage to both our course and clubhouse. 

“The course has been used as somewhat of a winter playground and has become a huge attraction within the area.

"We have seen damage to our entire course including water fountains being ripped off, pots smashed, bottles dumped.”

Staff have also been verbally abused by members of the public.

The spokesman for the club added: “Our green keepers spend a huge amount of time, effort and money to keep our course to the highest possible standard. 

“This damage will now take time and money and resources to recover and repair.

"Not only has our course and clubhouse been damaged but there’s no social distancing being adhered to.

“Our course is private land and only the footpaths are open to the public. 

“If anyone is found on our course, this will be reported to the police. As much as we don’t mind people having fun, we do ask you respect our property.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were called to reports of a large number of teenagers trespassing and causing criminal damage at Boyce Hill Golf Club, in Vicarage Hill, South Benfleet, at 4.30pm on February 9.

“The suspects, who are described as being aged in their late teens, then fled the scene.”