The Tenczars, a young couple from Kingston, Massachusetts, thought they had found their dream home when they purchased a four-bedroom house on the 15th hole of the Indian Pond Country Club in 2017. Little did they know that their dream home would soon become a nightmare.
Living on a Golf Course
Living on a golf course can be a great experience. You get to enjoy the beauty of the course, the peacefulness of the environment, and the convenience of having a golf course right in your backyard. But, as the Tenczars soon found out, living on a golf course can also have its drawbacks.
House Hit by Golf Balls
The Tenczars soon realized that amateur golfers often cannot cut the corner of the dogleg near their home and as a result, their house has been hit by golf balls, breaking eight windows and causing other damage. The couple told the Wall Street Journal that it has made their lives “a living hell.”
The Tenczars have now filed a lawsuit against the Indian Pond Country Club, claiming that the club has failed to take adequate measures to protect their home from errant golf balls. The Tenczars are seeking damages for the cost of the broken windows, as well as compensation for the emotional distress they have suffered as a result of the golf balls hitting their home.
Tenczar v Indian Pond Country Club
The Tenczars’ lawsuit against the Indian Pond Country Club is not the first of its kind. In fact, similar lawsuits have been filed against golf courses all over the country. In most cases, the golf courses have been found liable for the damage caused by errant golf balls and have been ordered to pay damages to the homeowners.
The Tenczars’ case is unique, however, in that they are seeking compensation for emotional distress in addition to the cost of repairing the broken windows. This could set a precedent for future cases, as emotional distress is not something that is typically taken into consideration in similar lawsuits.
Golf Course Responsibilities
Regardless of the outcome of the Tenczars’ lawsuit, it is important to remember that golf courses have a responsibility to protect the homes that are located near their course from errant golf balls. This includes implementing proper signage and fencing to protect homes from errant golf balls, as well as providing golfers with guidance on how to properly play the course.
Golfers Responsibility
At the same time, golfers need to take responsibility for their shots. Amateur golfers should be aware of the potential dangers of their shots and should strive to hit the ball in such a way that it does not travel onto neighboring properties.
Protective Barriers
If a golf course is located near a residential area, it is important for the course to take extra precautions to protect the homes from errant golf balls. This can include installing protective barriers such as netting or fencing, or providing golfers with guidance on how to play the course safely.
Golf Course Insurance
Golf courses should also consider purchasing insurance to protect themselves from potential lawsuits stemming from errant golf balls. This will not only help protect the golf course from liability, but it can also provide homeowners with peace of mind knowing that they will be compensated should their home be damaged by errant golf balls.
No matter what the outcome of the Tenczars’ lawsuit is, it is clear that both golf courses and golfers need to take responsibility for their shots and ensure that errant golf balls don’t cause damage to neighboring properties. After all, it’s not just the Tenczars’ dream home that’s at stake; it’s the safety and well-being of all homeowners living near golf courses.
Conclusion
The Tenczars’ lawsuit against the Indian Pond Country Club is an important reminder that golf courses and golfers alike have a responsibility to ensure that errant golf balls do not cause damage to neighboring properties. Golf courses should take extra precautions to protect homes from errant golf balls and golfers should take responsibility for their shots. These measures will help ensure that homeowners living near golf courses can enjoy the beauty and convenience of living on a golf course without risking their safety or well-being.