By Torleif Sorenson on 12/5/14

A golfer from eastern South Africa died Wednesday after being attacked by a crocodile. According to the South African National Parks department, 29-year-old Jacques van der Sandt was searching for golf balls in deep water when the attack occurred. Van der Sandt was the son of two long-time Kruger National Park employees.

“These animals are not in good condition as they have just come out of hibernation. The animal was doing what naturally comes to them; hunting for food and unfortunately a life was lost in the process,” said ecologist Danny Govender in a SANParks statement.

The moral of the story is simple: If you are playing golf in an area where crocodiles and/or alligators are present, please stay out of the water. The same is true even when reptiles aren't present; we are reminded of the sad storm of Scottish golf enthusiast Thomas Ross, who drowned while attempting to retrieve his golf ball from a water hazard in Spain last year.

Your life is far more valuable than a sleeve of seemingly-expensive golf balls.


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Image via Wikipedia