MEXICO – Fred Shardlow wants to keep the snowmobile trail open through the Oakdale Country Club, and he wants to continue working with local sledders. But after this past weekend’s destruction of much of the course, that trail was closed Monday.

At least temporarily.

“We’ll possibly open it after the storm expected on Wednesday and Thursday. We know it’s a big inconvenience,” he said Monday afternoon. The entrance to the golf course was gated off.

A neighbor discovered the ripping up of some of the grass and sod sometime after 1:30 p.m. Saturday, said Mexico Trailblazers’ trail master Gary Wentzell.

Instead of staying on the well-marked trail through the golf course someone rode their snowmobiles throughout the course, spinning off chunks of grass and sod.

Police Chief James Theriault estimated the damage at about $1,000.

Shardlow said the lack of snow cover led to more damage than could have been caused had the snowpack been greater. He said faster, more powerful sleds, along with studs in the tracks under the sleds, can cause a considerable amount of damage.

“We’ll be watching closely,” he said, adding that anyone who sees a snowmobile riding on restricted areas of the golf course should write down the machine’s registration number.

He said at least 50 signs point out the area that can be used as a trail and areas that cannot.

Wentzell said closure of the golf course trail means snowmobilers must ride into town for food and fuel. With the trail open, access to those necessities is easier.

Theriault said he has no leads in the case yet.

“The only way to solve this is by word of mouth. What they did is needless.” he said.

Anyone with information should contact the Mexico Police Department at 364-5686.