February 13, 2017: A putter, they say, is a golfer’s best friend. Tony Aarts found out the hard way, that indeed is the truth. The golfer was practicing his craft at the 4th hole of Magnolia Landing Club, when an alligator dragged him into the water hazard. Aarts deployed his putter to knock the gator on his head even as it held him by the ankle. Eventually the gator let go, leaving Aarts a relieved man.
The story was reported by Wink TV. Aarts heard a splash as he approached the 4th hole at the Magnolia Landing Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers.
“As I was walking about 5ft to 6ft away from the water I heard a splash, and as soon as I heard that splash I knew it was an alligator, and he got me,” Aarts told Wink News.
“I remember having a club in my hand, and as soon as he had me in the water up to my waist, I started hitting him over the head,” he added.
The gator grabbed Aarts by his right ankle, before both of them rolled into the water.
“He was looking at me with his big eyes, and I kept hitting him,” said the relieved golfer. “And I’m thinking I’m getting deeper and deeper, and I thought you’re not gonna get me.”
“I started hitting him in the eye socket,” he told Wink News. “I hit him three times and he let go of my foot, so I crawled back out and by that time the guys were there.”
“It’s a good thing I had that putter,” he said. “It’s a good, solid, heavy putter.”
Tony was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries. Wildlife workers captured the gator and put it down soon after the incident on the course.
“I guess a golfer should always keep a club in his hand,” concluded Aarts.
- In this article
- Amateurs
- Alligator
- Cleveland Putter
- Tony Aarts
- Wink News
