Our recent visit to the cow and cattle strewn course of Iona made us wonder just what other creatures besides dogs shared the fairways with golfers around the world. Not just serendipity encounters (like these – Golf Gone Wild: 13 Crazy Animal Encounters You Have to See – Exploring Animals), but more residents (like these – Top 7 golf courses for INCREDIBLE wildlife encounters around the world).
I’ve already reviewed the following UK examples:
· NEW FOREST – Horses
· IONA – Sheep
· RICHMOND – Deer
Bit of research uncovered the following additions to the menagerie:
- SKUKUZA, Kruger Park, South Africa – No fences so lions, elephants, baboons, hippos, crocodiles, and antelope roam the fairways and you must sign a waiver before playng.
- ANGLESEA, Victoria, Australia – Home to over 300 eastern grey kangaroos.
- HANDARA, Bali, Indonesia – Long-tailed macaques who are not shy about searching golf bags for snacks.
- TPC SAWGRASS, Florida, USA – Gator land which is popularly featured on many Instagram posts
- ELEPHANT HILLS, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – In addition to its eponymous elephant residents, you will also encounter warthogs, impala, baboons, and guinea fowl.
- FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS, Alberta, Canada – Elk (don’t expect quiet from them during your putting or driving during the rutting season).
- MAUNA LANI, Hawaii, USA – Protected green sea turtles (honu) bask on lava rocks near the 15th hole.
- FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER, British Columbia, Canada – Black bears and grizzlies are known to pass though in the summer especially near wooded areas.
