What was meant to be a therapeutic and stress relieving day on the golf course turned into a nightmare when five golf players were held at gunpoint at Kempton Park Golf Club on Thursday afternoon last week.
One of them, Etienne Fouché, was also the victim of a house burglary the previous night.
According to his wife Marieta, the men were ambushed by an armed suspect at the 16th hole.
“He told me he wanted to fight the suspect but realised if something went wrong and the firearm went off, someone might get hurt. They were made to lie on the ground as the suspect took their cellphones, watches and other personal belongings.”
Marieta said when the suspect exited the golf course, he was approached by a silver VW Polo that he got into and fled the scene.
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“We are glad no one was injured but we are still traumatised.”
Vincent van Rheede, who works at the pro phop, said they suspected the suspect got in through a gap in the palisade fence where sections had been removed.
“We have our own security that patrols the course but it is difficult for them to be everywhere. We are saddened that such an incident occurred. We urge golfers to be alert at all times.”
Marieta said Etienne had actually gone to play golf to get his mind off a burglary at their home on Wednesday.
“We were woken by a knock on the door and were surprised to see our neighbour holding our daughter’s car keys. He asked if our house had been broken into. At first my husband said no, but when my neighbour told us they found the car keys outside we knew something was wrong.
“As we went to investigate, we realised they had broken into our home.”
The suspects gained entry to the house by removing a window pane at the braai area.
“They took a lot of things, including two plasma TVs, rings and outside solar lights.They also took things from our daughter’s car but left the vehicle.”
The couple and their 20-year-old daughter Chanté were in the house at the time but heard nothing.
“This was a tough week with two traumatic experiences in two consecutive days. Etienne’s friend suggested they go play golf to help him get over the burglary but unfortunately, they got held at gunpoint.
