[Cisco Kid]

The gator bite would not have bothered me.
I would have drop dead from a heart attact when it jumped at me.

[ajbrown]

Very scary indeed. One second you are grumbling about a lost ball and the next you are inside of a gators jaws...

Glad he is OK, will heed the warning. As I read your post I did keep thinking a line was coming ... "hit the ball drag Gary", but that must be another story....

[kittygilchrist]

Someone gets seriously hurt or killed, alligators will be harvested on a more aggressive scale.

[Taltarzac725]

C3 in today's Villages Daily Sun has a small story about this.

Here's a good source of information about alligators and crocodiles in Florida. http://www.myfwc.com/conservation/yo...ldlife/gators/

[George Bieniaszek]

Originally Posted by Cisco Kid

The gator bite would not have bothered me.
I would have drop dead from a heart attack when it jumped at me.

I agree Cisco. Prior to the heart attack, I would have first soiled myself!!

[zonerboy]

I think this happens because most people assume that if there is an alligator in the water close to where their golf ball is they will be able to see it.
I'm no expert but would assume that part of the reason these animals are so successful in their habitat is that they have developed the ability to remain absolutely still for long periods of time and they are able to camouflage themselves in water quite well.
Don't assume there are no gators just because you don't see one.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

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.

Barefoot: I agree but for a different reason. Once a ball hits water it becomes addicted to it and its certain that the first chance it gets its going back for a fix

[LorasBetty]

After reading the replies to my original post I realize I used the wrong terminology in explaining what Gary was doing.

He was not RETRIEVING a ball from the water but ADDRESSING the ball on the grass 4'-5' from the water's edge. After what happened I won't even go that close to the water to hit my ball . . . ever!!

[ron122049]

So glad to hear your friend is safe. It would have scared the hell out of me and I've seen a lot of very bad things. As for the gator and I know I'll probably get some grief, this is not a nature preserve, it's a residential community. Things that are dangerous to people or pets don't belong here in my opinion. If the gator grabs a pet dog do we just say "OH Well" ? I didn't move to Florida to be ambushed by animals of prey.

[Carl in Tampa]

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.

Why should you get flack for posting your opinion? You will, however, get an opposing view.

The lakes, ponds, and pools within The Villages are not the alligator's habitat. The area once supported them, along with deer, bear, dove, quail and other animals that are seldom or never seen around here any more.

However, the incursion of humans, and the erection of infrastructure for human habitation has pushed these animals to other locations. There is still the occasional report of the sighting of some of these animals, but they are passing through. The Villages is no longer their habitat.

Alligators, being very primitive, and not nearly as smart as deer, have not figured out that this area now belongs to humans, so they keep pushing to take over the water areas, and will continue to do so as long as they find food here.

Some posters have spoken of effectively surrendering dominion over the lakes and ponds to the alligator. They advocate staying away from the water's edge because the water belongs to the alligator.

I disagree. I advocate aggressive and ongoing trapping and disposition of alligators found in the waterways of The Villages. Alligators are not an endangered species. It is foolhardy to tolerate having a dangerous wild animal living unfettered in close proximity to humans and their pets.

.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by LorasBetty

After reading the replies to my original post I realize I used the wrong terminology in explaining what Gary was doing.

He was not RETRIEVING a ball from the water but ADDRESSING the ball on the grass 4'-5' from the water's edge. After what happened I won't even go that close to the water to hit my ball . . . ever!!

I do not know which hole at Turtle Mound your friend was on but if the ball was 4-5 feet from the edge of the water - it probably was out of bounds and he should not have gone after it, much less hit it from there.

His carelessness cost an alligator his life.

There is a good reason for the red stakes by the hazards.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I do not know which hole at Turtle Mound your friend was on but if the ball was 4-5 feet from the edge of the water - it probably was out of bounds and he should not have gone after it, much less hit it from there.

His carelessness cost an alligator his life.

There is a good reason for the red stakes by the hazards.

I have no idea what you are talking about? You cannot think of any hole where there is a water hazard in Turtle Mound?

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by ajbrown

I have no idea what you are talking about? You cannot think of any hole where there is a water hazard in Turtle Mound?

No, I have never played at Turtle Mound. I live north of 466 and usually do not play south of Tarpon Boil.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I do not know which hole at Turtle Mound your friend was on but if the ball was 4-5 feet from the edge of the water - it probably was out of bounds and he should not have gone after it, much less hit it from there.

His carelessness cost an alligator his life.

There is a good reason for the red stakes by the hazards.

Did I miss a post? Who said the gator was killed?

[mtdjed]

How big was this gator? Is it gone? I would think that The Villages would have some record of the gators extraction from the environment. Have you ever seen a 3 foot, 4 foot, 5 foot gator. Mostly harmless and normally they withdraw from contact. Certainly not leaping from ponds toward people. Must have been much larger and should therefore be removed. Perhaps to be viewed or eaten at Gator Joes in Ocklawaha, Fl.