Local golfers have vandals to thank for the early closing of nine holes at the Mountain View Golf Course.

Golf course superintendent Derek Wirth said in an interview this morning, that staff had been hoping to leave all 18 holes open until Thanksgiving weekend.

After last Wednesday's vandalism spree, however, they decided to shut down the front nine holes for the season.

"It wasn't worth the risk,” Wirth told the Star.

With just a few golfers at this time of year, he said, the course makes only a small profit, while the damage caused by vandals could be in the thousands of dollars.

At around 2 p.m. last Wednesday, golfers reported damage on the number three green, and said they thought they saw a vehicle driving off.

When staff, including Wirth, went to check out what had happened, it appeared a driver had done two doughnuts on the green and another two off before driving off.

Wirth called the RCMP both to report the incident and ask that they patrol the area a little more, at this time of year, as there are fewer golfers leaving the course more open to vandalism.

A while later, a maroon, late 1970s Jaguar with Alberta licence plates drove into the parking lot, again doing doughnuts before taking off.

This time, golf course head Jeff Wiggins followed the vehicle down a road toward the Yukon River.

At one point, the vehicle became stuck, but eventually made it out and made it down to the river, where those in the car got out and ran.

Wirth also made his way to the scene.

The car was towed and police arrived on the scene using their dog to search for the drivers and passengers.

Wirth is estimating the damage at between $1,000 and $2,000, but noted staff won't be resodding now until May 2013, given the lateness of the season.

He noted that while the golf course has been the victim of vandalism in the past, never has it happened during regular business hours.

The gate where the vehicle came into the green had to be opened, as it allows golfers to pass between greens.

While the front nine holes have been closed, Wirth noted if golfers want to do 18 holes, they can do the back nine twice.

"They still have the back nine as an option,” he said.

Whitehorse RCMP Sgt. Don Rogers said this morning officers have had no luck tracing the vehicle's owner nor tracking down anyone who may have been in the car at the time.