Pro Golfer In Hot Water After Killing Hawk

A professional golfer faces possible consequences after hitting a hawk with a golf shot and killing it at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Florida.

Nationwide Tour player Tripp Isenhour apologised for killing the hawk, which was being noisy as he was filming TV Show “Shoot Like A Pro” in December.

Isenhour was charged with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, offences that have a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and fines of $1,500.

The Humane Society also wants the PGA Tour to take action against the golfer.

According to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report, the 39-year-old Isenhour drove up to the bird after the noise it made from about 300 yards away forced another take of the scene he was filming. He drove closer to the bird in a golf cart and started taking shots at it.

The bird stayed where it was and Isenhour gave up. The hawk then moved to within 75 yards and Isenhour resumed hitting balls at it, allegedly saying: “I’ll get him now”.

He eventually hit the hawk, which fell to the ground bleeding. Isenhour said in a statement:

“As soon as this happened, I was mortified and extremely upset and continue to be upset. I want to let everyone know there was neither any malice nor deliberate intent whatsoever to hit or harm the hawk. I was trying to simply scare it into flying away.”

Dale Bartlett, the deputy manager for animal cruelty issues for the Humane Society of the United States, was quoted as saying:

“Because of the high profile nature of this case, the PGA needs to take steps to address its interest and to make it clear that they don’t condone animal cruelty.”


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