Golf is a very expensive game to play, and people spend years perfecting their swing. Not only do golfers pay a small fortune for their clubs, but they also have to pay to play. Golf course maintenance is also pricey but essential to keeping the greens not only beautiful but playable. A 17-year-old in Florida reportedly decided to shake off his boredom in October by committing some serious vandalism at a golf course. Keller Adkins now faces a felony charge for an estimated $161,000 in damage he allegedly caused.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood shared details with the media during a news conference on November 10, 2025. The vandalism occurred around 2:45 a.m. October 19 at The Club at Venetian Bay in New Smyrna Beach. The sheriff’s office partnered with the New Smyrna Beach Police Department to launch an investigation. With anonymous tips, they identified Adkins as the suspect.
Adkins, a student at Atlantic High School, admitted to police that he drove his vehicle onto the course, damaging a 7,000-square-foot area.
Adkins “confessed to causing the damage because they were bored,” Chitwood explained during the news conference. “They didn’t think there was anything else to do at 2:30 in the morning.”
The sheriff said police arrested Adkins, who faces a felony criminal mischief charge. Investigators are looking into cellphone video footage from the car’s passenger, who may face charges as well.
“If you really think of this, I’ll use a line that my grandmother relayed on me. ‘Nothing good happens after 10 o’clock at night,’” Chitwood shared. “She said that my whole life, and when I became a cop, the first shift I volunteered to work was 11 to 7 cause I wanted to see what was going on there at night.”
New Smyrna Beach Police Chief Chris Kirk said he’d never seen anything like it.
“That is by far the most damage from any vandalism I can remember,” Kirk shared during the news conference. “Kids think they’re just being kids, and the ramifications of this one are going to hurt for a while.”
Adkins’ mother is reportedly cooperating with police. Chitwood won’t tolerate kids committing adult crimes and thinking they can get away with it. He publishes names and photos of juveniles to curb criminal behavior.
We agree with Chitwood’s grandmother. Nothing good is happening late at night. We have an idea for kids who complain about boredom at 2 a.m.: Go to sleep. You’re much less likely to commit a felony that way.
