NATCHEZ — Beau Pré Country Club officials are dealing with nearly $40,000 in damages to the golf course from an apparent act of vandalism Thursday.

Chuck Fields, president of Beau Pré Country Club’s board of directors, said someone drove on various parts of the golf course, including the fairway and sand traps.

“We’ve had vandalism acts before in the past, but this is the worst by far,” Fields said. “Play is still going on at the course, but we’re having to skip one particular hole temporarily until we can get it repaired.”

The No. 7 hole, Fields said, received the most damage, and crews will begin repairs in the coming days.

“It won’t take very long to get repaired well enough to play, but it will take quite a long time to heal,” Fields said. “It will be ready for play probably first of this coming week, but it could be months before it’s back to how it was before.”

Fields said country club officials filed a report with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said deputies found large tire marks, likely from a truck, throughout areas of the course.

“After some investigation, we have developed a possible suspect that we hope to have in custody by next week,” Mayfield said. “The country club estimates the damage at $40,000, so with that much money involved, you’re easily looking at a felony malicious mischief charge.”

The 18-hole golf course located off U.S. 61 South opened in 1999.