An illegal golf course occupying more than 53 hectares of farmland in Jinzhan township, Chaoyang district, was demolished and its staff have been suspended, the Beijing Times reported.

The golf course, built by property developer Beijing Laohewan investment company, was one of five illegal courses nationwide that face rectification and punishment.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission, these companies violated laws by building golf courses under the guise of agricultural demonstration parks and ecological tour villages. The Ministry of Land and Resources is still handling punishment procedures. In 2011, the People's Daily reported more than 400 golf courses had been illegally built in China since their construction was banned in 2004.