[LorasBetty]

Our friend was very lucky!

Four of us were golfing last evening at Turtle Mound. Our friend (Gary) was about 4'-5' from the water's edge retrieving his ball when a very large alligator literally sprung out of the water and latched onto his lower leg. The friend fell and for some unknown reason the alligator let go. Gary jumped to his feet and got away. He escaped with just a slight leg puncture probably due to having jeans on.

I witnessed this from the green and don't think I'll ever forget the size of the alligator with his mouth wide open - VERY scary! My husband had two clubs and was on his way to help when Gary "escaped"!

The incident was reported this morning and Village authorities immediately began taking steps to locate and remove the gator.

SO . . . please let this be a warning to NOT go anywhere near the water. Alligators ARE there and alligators ARE dangerous.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by LorasBetty

Our friend was very lucky!

Four of us were golfing last evening at Turtle Mound. Our friend (Gary) was about 4'-5' from the water's edge retrieving his ball when a very large alligator literally sprung out of the water and latched onto his lower leg. The friend fell and for some unknown reason the alligator let go. Gary jumped to his feet and got away. He escaped with just a slight leg puncture probably due to having jeans on.

I witnessed this from the green and don't think I'll ever forget the size of the alligator with his mouth wide open - VERY scary! My husband had two clubs and was on his way to help when Gary "escaped"!

The incident was reported this morning and Village authorities immediately began taking steps to locate and remove the gator.

SO . . . please let this be a warning to NOT go anywhere near the water. Alligators ARE there and alligators ARE dangerous.

So sorry about this horrifying experience you had.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Thank you for posting and reminding us that we have to be careful near ponds.

[Rosiecruiser]

I had the same experience last Saturday, about 4-5' away from the water and one was hovering. My friend said, for me to just hit my shot, she had a club ready, NOT!!!!!!!!!

[buggyone]

I will most likely get flack for posting this.

The people get into the alligator's habitat and then it is the alligator that gets killed by the people. We all know that where there is water in Florida, there is very likely an alligator. Getting to the edge of a water hazard is an invite to the alligator to attack. The alligator at Turtle Mound will not be "relocated" to a marsh away from people to live out his estimated 35 years of life. He will be dragged out of the pond after being hooked by a large treble hook and will then be shot to death. The alligator killer will get to sell the alligator skin for a good price and the meat will be sold to tourist restaurants.

It is great that your friend escaped unharmed. I am sure he did get medical care for the puncture wound as an alligator does have all sorts of bacteria in his mouth and it can cause a serious infection.

[eweissenbach]

Very scary indeed, but the important question is, how did you shoot?

[DonH57]

Yes. Your friend was very lucky. Happy to hear he is ok. Any of these lakes or ponds here in the villages may contain an alligator. As a fellow golfer may I suggest the purchase of an extendable ball retriever to reach near areas marked as no entry or close. Going into bushes may be just as bad due to snakes or spiders.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I will most likely get flack for posting this.

The people get into the alligator's habitat and then it is the alligator that gets killed by the people. We all know that where there is water in Florida, there is very likely an alligator. Getting to the edge of a water hazard is an invite to the alligator to attack. The alligator at Turtle Mound will not be "relocated" to a marsh away from people to live out his estimated 35 years of life. He will be dragged out of the pond after being hooked by a large treble hook and will then be shot to death. The alligator killer will get to sell the alligator skin for a good price and the meat will be sold to tourist restaurants.

It is great that your friend escaped unharmed. I am sure he did get medical care for the puncture wound as an alligator does have all sorts of bacteria in his mouth and it can cause a serious infection.

You don't need to be near water to encounter a gator here. We saw one go into our neighbor's garage the other day. Don't know what could have happened had he gone into his garage to get in his car without knowing it was there. One of my very brave other neighbor's grabbed it while I taped his mouth shut. We took it down to the preserve down the street, untaped it, and let it go.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by DougB

You don't need to be near water to encounter a gator here. We saw one go into our neighbor's garage the other day. Don't know what could have happened had he gone into his garage to get in his car without knowing it was there. One of my very brave other neighbor's grabbed it while I taped his mouth shut. We took it down to the preserve down the street, untaped it, and let it go.

I'm so happy that you let it go and didn't kill it.

[Miles42]

One of hazards other than sand traps on a Florida course. Glad all turned out well.

[Bonanza]

I often see people walking their small dogs by some of our small ponds/lakes, very close to the water's edge. I think to myself why these people are so foolish to do that. You never know when a gator will spring into action just like the incident related here.

[Sage327]

How do people get away with kayaking down here?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by DonH57

Any of these lakes or ponds here in the villages may contain an alligator. As a fellow golfer may I suggest the purchase of an extendable ball retriever to reach near areas marked as no entry or close.

I've never been able to understand why people want to retrieve golf balls from water, knowing there that it's possible there are gators in the pond. It's just not worth it. I saw a gator come out of the water one day and he was moving like lightening. Please, don't take chances. Stay away from water.

[Villageshooter]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

I often see people walking their small dogs by some of our small ponds/lakes, very close to the water's edge. I think to myself why these people are so foolish to do that. You never know when a gator will spring into action just like the incident related here.

i have always worried on hot day about the bushes on the boardwalk ,, and folks that let there grandkids run on the boardwalk like a bunch of wild indians and a gator latches onto them while hiding in the busches

[44Ruger]

Originally Posted by Kathy327

How do people get away with kayaking down here?

We are not the prey of these critters. That's why the golfer was spit out as the gator realized the mistake. With a little caution, we could live with the Florida native gators.