MEMBERS of a golf club have been left heartbroken after around 50 trophies, many of which were over 100 years old, were stolen in a raid.

The thieves broke into Evesham Golf Club in Fladbury in the early hours of the morning, smashing their way into a trophy cabinet and taking the club's history with them as they fled the scene. 

Whilst some of the trophies were new and not worth much according to the club secretary, many date back over 100 years to when the club was founded in 1894 with police estimating the total value stolen to be worth around £45,000. 

Fraser Williamson, Evesham Golf Club's club secretary, said: "I am very frustrated and disappointed. 

"Thieves broke into our trophy cabinet which is visible to all members and took around 50 trophies. 

"They are kept under lock and key and they smashed the cabinet. 

"Our members are all heartbroken, yes we are insured but it's a lot of work, it's not the monetary value that's annoying, it's the history that we won't be able to replicate."

West Mercia Police believe the thieves used a vehicle and they parked it in front of the golf club on the busy A44. 

The suspects broke into the club at around 12.45am on Friday (September 13) and West Mercia Police have appealed to speak with anyone who may have seen suspicious activity at that time.

Mr Williamson continued: "It's a lot of hassle and a lot of work. 

"Many of those trophies were presented by our founding members and are irreplaceable. 

"Yes we can get new ones but we will never be able to get that history back. 

"It's extremely disappointing, I can't believe anyone thought that doing this was a good idea. 

"These trophies are played for annually and it's a big loss for the club and our members are really disappointed.

"They didn't even take anything else, they broke in, took the trophies, and left."