‘1000 Hrs Community Service’: Golf Fans Want Revenge After Miscreants Destroyed Famed Cape Cod Course

Golf courses being hit with bad weather is something we have seen in the past. Augusta National was recently damaged by the wrath of Hurricane Helene. But imagine how much more frustrating it is when the damage isn’t due to nature but caused by human hands. Well, that’s exactly what happened at the Dennis Highlands Golf Course in Dennis, Massachusetts.

On Tuesday evening, vandals struck the course, tearing up the green on Hole 5—likely caused by ATVs, according to a post shared on the course’s Facebook page the following Wednesday. The photos posted showed extensive damage, with large loops chewed into the green and, in some spots, substantial pieces of turf torn up. The course had no choice but to temporarily shut down the hole, shifting play to start on Hole 10 instead. As stated in the Facebook update, the “vandalized green would remain closed until it had time to recover and was deemed ready for play.”

As per the course’s official website, the Dennis Pines and Highlands Golf Course is a par 71, 6,500-yard course situated on 175 acres. Designed by Jack Kidwell and Mike Hurdzan, the course opened in 1984 and has been a staple of the local golfing community ever since.

Of course, the news didn’t sit well with the golf community when NUCLR Golf shared the post on its X handle, asking its followers, “What should the penalty be for this?” As one would expect, the responses were filled with frustration.

Frustrated fans demand strict punishment for the vandals

Golf fans didn’t hold back when it came to suggesting punishments for the vandals responsible. One user offered a more constructive suggestion, stating, “1000 hours of community service with the grounds crew who will repair things.” Now, this seems plausible. Courts often assign community service for vandalism, working directly with the grounds crew to repair the damage.

A user declared, “5 years minimum in prison plus restitution!!!” Sure, five years in prison might seem severe for vandalism, but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility depending on the nature of the crime. As per Massachusetts law, serious penalties can apply in cases where the damage is intentional or the offender has a history of similar crimes. While it’s unlikely anyone would face that much time for this. However, ideally, in such cases, the damages need to be reimbursed.

Another comment dug into the legal specifics, stating, “Criminal trespassing carries a 30-day max in MA Felonious Intentional Criminal Damage to property carries 10+ years and a fine of up to 3x the value of the damage Trow the book at him This is becoming way too common.” This one is still closer to reality, as there were even those who came up with some even more extreme, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, suggestions. “The death penalty is the only right answer,” a user wrote. Of course, that’s far beyond the scope of legal possibility, as Massachusetts abolished the death penalty decades ago. But you see, it’s the frustration that has been talking currently.

On the other hand, another user kept it simple: “Pay for damages and be banned from anything golf-related for life.” While compensating the damages makes sense, a lifetime golf ban? Seriously!

Indeed, the frustration of fans is palpable. And why not? The golfing community takes pride in its courses, and any attack on that sacred space feels personal. Whether through restitution, community service, or more creative penalties, the message is clear: respect the course, or be ready to face the consequences. What’s your take on this incident? Let us know in the comments!