TWO men who walked into a renowned golf club and stole clubs worth more than £15,000 might have been professional scam artists, it has been claimed.Police and officials at Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club have joined forces to issue urgent appeals for witnesses after the men damaged 70 lockers and stole at least 10 sets of expensive clubs.

TWO men who walked into a renowned golf club and stole clubs worth more than £15,000 might have been professional scam artists, it has been claimed.

Police and officials at Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club have joined forces to issue urgent appeals for witnesses after the men damaged 70 lockers and stole at least 10 sets of expensive clubs.

The men, who were dressed in golf clothing, were seen talking to players before stealing the clubs and taking them to their car - prompting fears that the raid could have premeditated.

Club secretary Mike Verhelst said: “We think it was done by professional scam artists as they even said 'hello' to a few people before stealing the clubs while people were watching the football.

“This is the kind of thing that happens at golf clubs everywhere although we are not aware of anything recently.

“The whole thing is shocking for everyone connected to the club. We are now working with crime prevention officers at Suffolk police and we would urge anyone with information to get in touch with them immediately.”

Police last night released CCTV images of the men walking to and from their vehicle, which was parked in the club in Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, between 6.20pm and 7.10pm on April 25.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: “About 70 lockers were either damaged or broken into and at this stage it is believed at least 10 sets of clubs - including makes by Ping, Callaway, Cobra, Titleist and Cleveland - were stolen.

“The men were seen taking the golf clubs to their car which is described as a dark-coloured 4x4 vehicle.”

The two men are described as white, one was in his 30s and of heavy build and the other of smaller build and in his 20s.

Both men were between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall and wearing baseball or sports caps. Police believe the larger man swapped tops on several occasions to change his appearance.

The police spokesman said they were keen to speak to anyone who was at the club on April 25 or who had been offered golf clubs for sale.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Adam Long at Hadleigh police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.