Opinion & Analysis

Robber dressed as golfer hits Baltusrol, other courses

Published

13 years ago

Aug 10, 2013

Here’s a news item from the “truth is stranger than fiction ” file: A thief, dressed as a golfer, infiltrated several clubs along the east coast, making off with credit cards and cash pilfered from unlocked lockers.

As was reported by CBS2 New York’s Tracee Carrasco, the polo-clad bandit was seen posing as a member at none other than the prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey.

The man, identified by police as Oscar Cabrera, clad in golf attire (complete with spikes and a glove) wasn’t filling out a foursome. Rather, he was filling up his pockets with the contents of members’ lockers.

According to Springfield Police Det. James Mirabile, the suspect in question “Would enter the club and look for the best way to get to the locker room.”

Let’s stop right here.

As someone who has worked in private clubs (bag rooms, locker rooms, pro shops), I can’t help but ask, “At what percentage of private clubs in America would this rouse work?”

Perhaps, it should be the opposite. However, in my experience, the default assumption at a private club is that if an individual is on the premises, he or she is supposed to be there. I can’t count the number of times a dubious looking character has asked for directions to the shop or locker room. And there’s nothing more awkward than asking, “Sir, who are you/what are you doing here?” So, club staff seem to hope/assume that the character in question is someone’s guest.

At clubs with several hundred or more members, people in polos and slacks wander about unquestioned, with the operative assumption being that if the staff doesn’t recognize and individual, he or she must be a social member. What’s the alternative in a situation where it’s impossible to know everyone? Asking for some form of identification? A secret handshake or password?

The frightening thing about this scheme is the number of clubs where it could work.

The robber made off with credit cards taken from open lockers. Then, with his accomplice, he went to a Target store to buy gift cards with the stolen credit cards. The bandits run came to an end on July 20 when, at Canoe Brook County Club in Short Hills, N.J., Cabrera was identified by employees based on a police sketch.

Predictably, it’s thought that the two are responsible for a string of robberies throughout eastern states.

As I said earlier, it’s not surprising to me that an individual dressed in golf attire was pointed in the direction of the locker room without having to prove that he was a guest — especially when he’s gone so far as to don a golf glove for the robbery. It’s more surprising that he was able to walk around Baltusrol with his shirt untucked and a hat on his head indoors, which is sort of an absurd point: It’s unlikely that a member would say, “Who are you?” to the offending party. However, a gentle reminder to remove one’s hat wouldn’t have been uncommon.

What’s the lesson in this bizarre series of heists?

Well, for club staff, make sure you know why all parties are on the premises. Have a line prepared for such situations (“I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name sir…” type of stuff). It’s better to deal with the awkwardness of the aforementioned encounter than the encounter with your boss when he asks why you directed a thief to the locker room.

More importantly, though, this final note for members: They’re not called “unlockers.” Keep your lockers locked! If Baltusrol can get looted, so too can your club.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

11 Comments

old school harry

Aug 20, 2013 at 11:23 pm

Sorry, Collier County Sheriffs. Good ole auto spell.

Reply Report comment
steven

Aug 14, 2013 at 8:31 am

I played Baltusrol last Thursday and the security was beefed up, I didnt know about this incident until I read about it yesterday, makes sense now, I was thinking to myself, I am in Alcatraz. I am willing to bet, this wont happen, again

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KCCO

Aug 13, 2013 at 7:12 pm

Maybe a tiny iD tag for our belt? Or hat for those who wear? I dunno….just heard same story one to many times…as for bags stolen, leave ur iPhone in it on “find my phone” like a GPS for your bag……

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heardetal

Aug 11, 2013 at 3:05 pm

I don’t leave my bag at the drop or unattended at the turn. If I, or my buddies need to go in at the turn, one of us stays behind until one of them returns.

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Jon

Aug 11, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Its easy to get into most private clubs, most of the guards don’t have any idea whats going on at the club. I have used “I have a tournament here or I was looking for a job or have an interview” to get into some clubs. I am not like the guy in the story I do not go into the clubhouse, I just like seeing some really nice, world famous country clubs.

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Courtney

Aug 11, 2013 at 12:07 pm

Boltusrol isn’t a local muni where you just drive to the parking lot. How did this guy get through the gate and onto the property ? They don’t just wave everybody in. Once these guys were inside, the staff would (and should) have assumed that they were guests and were to be treated as such.

Similar to Jericho, we had a run of putter thefts at public courses back when Cameron putters were 4 to 10 times what most putters cost. Someone would leave their bag unattended and a thief would just pluck it out of the bag and disappear.

Reply Report comment
Ty Webb

Aug 11, 2013 at 9:22 am

This happened at my club twice here in the SW coast of FL. The club was very exclusive, in line with Balturol for a FL club. The thieves hit several clubs in the area, don’t know if they were ever caught.

As the economy and society continues to deteriorate crime will continue to rise.

Reply Report comment
Bob

Aug 11, 2013 at 7:13 am

Also, don’t the exclusive clubs suggest/require that you remove your hat indoors?

Reply Report comment
zack

Aug 11, 2013 at 3:47 am

very cunning…

Reply Report comment
Jericho

Aug 10, 2013 at 11:30 pm

if I were a bad guy, golf courses would be my marks..where else do you know where everyone leaves there $2,000 wallets laying around… really all you need is 5 golf hats and some atire.. yes see a nice Titleist bag ..throw on the o’l Titleist hat and go pick out yourself a nice looking back.. I never take my eyes off my bag, I even take mine in the restroom and put it in the corner..ya hear to many stories .. .. at my local range a guy was showing of his $20,000 Honma driver .. then left his bag alone and went and used the restroom.. guess what happened.. your whole life is in that bag ..wallet, phone, clubs, clothing and so forth, why would you ever take your eyes off it

Reply Report comment
george

Aug 10, 2013 at 10:29 pm

gotcha !

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Opinion & Analysis

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Andrew Von Lossow

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