Management has been forced to rent carts to make sure a tournament can go on as planned.

Some country club members showed up Sunday morning to golf, but couldn't right away.

Tee times were pushed back as police investigated.

Member Lupe Mendez said a heart condition prevents him from walking the course. He calls the theft "a shame. Mendez said, “The carts are in good shape I know they just bought them about a year and a half ago."

Country Club General Manager Roy Hendrix said someone drove the carts through the fence holding them in.

He also says a maintenance cart was stolen earlier this month.

Members were upset when they heard.

“It's very disheartening. The club has struggled to make ends meet,” said Leon Moore, a South Las Cruces resident.

Moore said the club’s insurance will probably cover the costs, and that this isn't the first time the course has taken a loss.

”We've had minor problems. We've had people break in to the pro-shop and steal golf clubs and that sort of thing, but never have we run into a situation where people started stealing golf carts and other equipment,” said Moore.

Police are still investigating and said they will treat the crime as an auto theft.

“It would be a felony charge because it is over $1,000, but I'm not exactly how they would qualify since they are not a registered motor vehicles,” said Dan Trujillo, spokesperson for the Las Cruces Police Department.

Hendrix said the carts are pretty pricey at $4,000 to $5,000 each.

Not all members were aware how much was taken.

“Twenty thousand dollars, oh my God. That’s a lot of scratch” said Mendez.

The course is hosting the Catholic Diocese this Friday for what's called the Foundation Golf Tournament, and assures those in the tournament there will be enough carts to go around.