Snapping Turtle Takes Up Golf in Wareham

Juvenile Snapping Turtle Surveys Wareham Golf Course

Yes; when you research turtles from ocean depths to mountain tops, you get used to surprises.  Still, some surprises are bigger than others.  On Thursday morning, in light clouds and showers, Turtle Journal drove by the Little Harbor Golf Course in Wareham.

Juvenile Snapper Strolls Down Fairway

We spotted a juvenile snapping turtle stomping down the fairway in focused determination as though searching for his drive off the tee.  As luck would have it, rain had chased away two- legged golfers; so, there was no argument about who might have right of way.  In any case, we suspect no one would dispute this lad’s intention to “play through.”

Two Snappers Yell “Fore!”

Don Lewis interrupted the young golfer for a bief interview about his playing skills.  Don especially wanted hints on the snapper’s technique on the greens.  They both decided to have a little fun by yelling “fore” on a deserted golf course.

Juvenile Snapper Close Up

Notice how Don shows total respect for this juvenile snapper’s powerful neck and jaws.  He holds the turtle, which weighs about five pounds, from the very back of his carapace.  You might also notice the powerful legs and thick, sharp claws.  Even from the protective grasp at the rear of the snapper, there’s no relief from those powerful limbs.  As a researcher, you simply accept the pain … because it feels so good when it stops.

Juvenile Snapper Takes Up Golf at Little Harbor Course 

After our discussion about the finer points of reptile golf and the travails of living a turtle’s life on a country club, the snapper chose to continue his round … before showers ended and humans once again laid claim to the fairway.

“Let’s Talk Handicap … Yours, Not Mine”

One interesting point of dispute arose when Don asked the snapper about his handicap.  For some reason this cold-blooded duffer deemed the topic a bit too sensitive and threatened to give Don the kind of handicap that would transcend golf.  Don tucked away this final lesson as another in a long list of reasons why he has never taken up the game.

Snapper Plays Through at Little Harbor Golf Course

Speaking of warnings and a word to the wise, considering the direction of the snapper’s travel, we’d like to caution golfers, caddies and grounds keepers who may think that salvaging golf balls from water hazards might be a smart business proposition.  Lurking underneath the water may be a hazard that looks an awful lot like this juvie … only perhaps ten times larger.  How much is the bounty on a salvaged golf ball?

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