What’s bad for the goose could be bad for the golfer

March 6, 2008

There’s only one way to start an article about a golfer in Florida charged with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird after hitting the bird with a golf ball, and Sarah Lundy of the Orlando Sentinel aced it. So here is the top of her story on the Sentinel’s Web site:

“Pro golfer Tripp Isenhour took aim with his golf club and shot a birdie at Grand Cypress Golf Club. Well, it was actually a red-shouldered hawk with an annoying call.”

Isenhour, 39, was in the midst of his speaking part for an instructional video on Dec. 12 when, about 300 yards away, the hawk got so loud it disrupted filming at least twice, according to the story.

So, Isenhour did what any guy would do: he drove a golf cart over to the tree where the hawk was perched and hit golf balls toward the bird, Lundy reported.

The bird flew away, landed in a tree about 75 yards from the filming site, and Isenhour again started hitting golf balls toward the bird, Lundy wrote.

Only this time Isenhour did what most guys cannot do: he hit it. The bird fell 30 feet and died soon after, Lundy reported.

Now, I know what all of the golfers reading this are thinking, and the answer is no — I don’t know Isenhour’s club selection. But Isenhour could face up to a $10,000 fine for his shot, Lundy reported.

If I were Isenhour’s lawyer, I would launch what I have just dubbed the “Randy Johnson Defense,” named after the baseball pitcher who hit a bird during a 2001 spring training game.

Then again, Johnson’s incident was accidental and it appears Isenhour’s was premeditated. The golfer might have a tough time crying fowl in front of a judge or jury.

Click to hear the sound of a red-shouldered hawk.

DANNY JACOBS, Legal Affairs Writer

Sphere: Related Content

Posted by Jackie Sauter, Web Editor | Filed Under golf, law 

Comments

5 Responses to “What’s bad for the goose could be bad for the golfer”

  1. Anonymous on March 6th, 2008 4:36 pm

    If intentional (and the story makes it seem like it is), the guy should receive the maximum $10K fine. Because he’s filming a video, he thinks he has the right to essentially chase down and kill a bird? What a jerk.

  2. Anonymous on March 7th, 2008 7:41 am

    ever heard of hunting?

  3. rjc on March 7th, 2008 8:37 am

    Sarah Lundy must not play golf. One does not “shoot” a birdie in golf, one “makes” a birdie on a hole. The attempted pun does not work. There are several ways to start this story (not “only one” as you say), all better than Lundy’s. You also must not play golf, or if you do, you must never have made a birdie. Should you be fortunate enough to make one in the future, I’m hopeful that someone in your group will tell you how to report it to your friends.

  4. Anonymous on March 7th, 2008 2:39 pm

    On a golf course? No.

  5. J Kesel on May 19th, 2008 6:11 pm

    The Migratory Bird Treaty Act is an absolute liability law. Intent does not have to be proved. Just the act of killing the bird is a crime whether you hit it with a golf ball or accidently with your car.

    This has nothing to do with the animal rights people who are sick people who put the rights of animals above people.

    Golf is a great game

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