Tony Aarts has seen many alligators during his 35 years living in Florida. Not this unnervingly close, however. The North Fort Myers resident was approaching the fourth hole at Magnolia Landing Golf & Country Club when attacked by a three and a half metre gator.
As he told Wink News later, “I was walking about (two metres) 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.” The alligator grabbed Aarts by his right ankle, and he ended up on his back and rolled into the nearby water hazard as they struggled.
“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 was looking at me with his big eyes, and I kept hitting him. And I’m thinking I’m getting deeper and deeper, and I thought you’re not gonna get me.”
Then Aarts decided to adopt a subtle change of club technique. “I started hitting him in the eye socket. 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.” The “guys” were officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who captured the animal and put it down.
“It’s a good thing I had that putter,” said Aarts. “It’s a good, solid, heavy putter. I guess a golfer should always keep a club in his hand.”
Certainly in Florida, anyway – hopefully not necessary in Andalucía!
