Croc calls golf course home

By Penny Timms

Posted Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:11pm AEDT

A freshwater crocodile has taken over a waterhole at a north Queensland golf course.

The crocodile was first spotted lurking at a water hazard on the 17th hole at Townsville's Willows Golf Resort on Saturday.

Manager Adrian Lawson estimates the freshwater crocodile is about two metres long and says the new resident, who startled a groundsman yesterday after getting too close for comfort, is more curious than anything.

"He gave one of our young workers a bit of a fright," he said.

"I sent him out on course to pick up the pin markers and he [the crocodile] was sunning himself up on the bank."

Mr Lawson expects the crocodile will make its way back to its natural surroundings in its own time, but says in the meantime golfers are not keen to retrieve stray golf balls.

"Oh yeah, well if your golf ball goes in there I think you better leave it alone," he said.

He believes the crocodile may be disorientated after recent rain.

Management will monitor the crocodile's movements and decide if it needs to be removed.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2820088.htm