Dirt biker dinged for $9k after leaving tire tracks on golf greens

A trespass that involved six individuals riding dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles onto the Westwood Plateau Golf Course recently landed in provincial court.

Following the July 20, 2025 trespass, Coquitlam RCMP identified Tristen Bucher and Jeffrey Peters as two of the riders. Four of the trespassers couldn’t be identified. No criminal charges were filed.

Course owners Greentee Golf C.C. asked for Boucher to pay a total of $14,587 for repair costs, reducing the quality of the greens, and punitive damages.

“[Bucher] chose not to testify and said little in his submissions,” noted Judge Wilson Lee.

Because it’s impossible to say which defendant caused what damage, Lee concluded Bucher should be held jointly liable for all damage.

Peters and Bucher were ordered to pay Greentee a total of $4,587 to cover repair costs.

Discussing the putting greens marked by tire treads, golf course superintendent Mike Putrus estimated the quality was reduced by $5,000, explaining that the repair created a noticeable change in the appearance of the greens.

Wilson differed on that point, concluding there was no evidence any golfers complained about the greens.

“At best, there is a claim for nominal damages relating to the temporary damage to the appearance of the greens,” Lee wrote.

The judge awarded the golf course $500 for damage to the greens.

However, Lee awarded the golf course $4,000 in punitive damages.

“Bucher needs to know that there are consequences for his intentional trespass and damage to property. The public at large also needs to be aware of the potential consequences of wrongful trespass to the claimant’s property,” he concluded.

In total, Bucher was ordered to pay Greentee $9,443, not accounting for Peters’ portion of the repair costs.