An Australian golf course boasts the world’s most dangerous water hazard: a lake with a 1.8m crocodile.
The croc, nicknamed Steve, has been lurking at Willows Golf Resort for more than a week, attracting near-daily sightings but a conspicuous lack of panic.
“It’s not scaring anyone — it’s par for the course in North Queensland,” manager Adrian Lawson shrugged. “North Queenslanders are used to seeing this kind of thing.”
The freshwater crocodile — known to be more docile than saltwater crocs — can be seen swimming or enjoying the tropical sun near the par-five second or par-three 17th, which tees off over his lake.
“It doesn’t put anyone off unless they put their ball in that lake — they’re not going to retrieve it, that’s for sure,” Lawson told reporters yesterday. “We’ve seen him sunning himself on the bank on the second [hole], but whenever anyone has come near him he’s straight back in the drink, as quick as a wink.”
The phenomenon is common enough for the course to have its own crocodile management plan, the first step of which is calling local authorities to ensure the animal does not pose any danger.
“It’s not going to eat anyone or chase a dog down the main street, but it’s an interesting find,” Lawson said.
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