Alligator Causes Delay For Teen Golfer
[Updated] Earlier today [July 31] a Bermudian teenage golfer playing in an international tournament had a slight delay after he managed to hit his ball extremely close to an alligator.
Ryan Roberts was playing in Day 3 of the 2010 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, when on the 11th hole the ball landed only 18 inches, or less than an arm’s length, away from an alligator.
He was forced to abandon the ball, as the alligator was hovering only mere inches away. Ryan, who is playing in the 16 – 18 age group category, played his next shot from a different area.
Despite the alligator infringing on his space, Ryan kept his focus and finished the international tournament on +19 leaving him T70th. The tournament attracts some of the best young golfers from around the world, with teens traveling to compete from various countries including Australia, Argentina, Canada, Columbia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, UK, USA and more.
According to Time Magazine, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission records an average of about seven alligator attacks every year, and since 1948, at least 17 people have been killed by the huge reptiles. There have been very rare instances of golfers being bitten by alligators on Florida golf courses, and some courses are said to have alligator warning signs.
Update Aug 1: We spoke with Ryan and he said:
When I walked over to my ball I had my club out ready to hit and didnt even notice the gator until I looked back up. Then I asked the rules guy what my options were, he said I could wait until the gator ventured off, play it, or drop outside of the hazard so with close to no hesitation I chose to drop outside the hazard and not take any chances.
Pretty scary