Longtime local golf store forced to go out of business after series of costly break-ins | Golf News and Tour Information [Video]

This is a sad one, folks. A longtime local golf store in California is being forced to close up shop after a costly series of break-ins, reports the Merced Sun-Star.

Golf Depot will officially close on Feb. 27. The family-owned-and-run store has been in business since 1995, but has had a tough go of late, thanks in large part to a string of burglaries. The store was broken into five times in 2015, including twice in December when $50,000 of merchandise was taken.

“Financially, it killed us,” said Sandra Hayes, who runs the store with her twin brother, Andrew.

Here’s video of a video interview with Sandra as customers clean out the little inventory that’s left at Golf Depot:

Hayes said a $1,000 raise in rent also contributed to the decision to close. However, rent negotiations also stalled when Hayes’ pleas for better security were unsuccessful.

“It’s like the ‘19th hole’ for us,” said …