Golfer Starts Fire As Swing Snags Rock

IRVINE, Calif. — Forget "Fore!" "Fire!" was the cry of the day for a golfer whose off-target swing sparked a 12-acre blaze in Southern California. The golfer at the Shady Canyon Golf Course in Irvine landed a shot in the rough Saturday.

On his next swing, his club snagged a rock, causing a spark that lit the rough ablaze and eventually attracted 150 firefighters to the scene.

Fire officials say the fire burned through the rough, into vegetation next to the course and over two dry, brushy hillsides.

No charges were filed against the golfer, whose name was withheld.

Comments

[StephenJK]

08:06 AM on 09/03/2010

All golfers know that if a club hits a rock you'll see sparks. Totally plausible that this is the case, here. Also, plausible is a scenario where he was hitting the crack pipe too hard and his mini torch lit some grouse up.

[Suspect X]

02:18 AM on 09/03/2010

"My club snagged a rock," said the 2 pack a day smoker...

[whirledgonecrazy]

03:13 PM on 09/02/2010

I'm surprised his shot then didn't hit a dam and break it causing a flood.

[Palmer Steele]

10:18 PM on 09/01/2010

Former greenskeeper - about to become the Masters Champion.... 495 yards... he's got an 8 iron.

[Tulsaslim]

07:25 PM on 09/01/2010

Karma is telling this guy to give up the game.

[whirledgonecrazy]

03:13 PM on 09/02/2010

I think you're right!

[DudeAbides99]

04:31 PM on 09/01/2010

Man vs. Wild - Irvine, CA

"I've parachuted into the treacherous suburban wasteland of Southern California, where I've just snapped the neck of a country-club gopher with my teeth. In situations like this, you've got to be sure to cook your catch thoroughly, which I will do over a fire I've just started with my trusty magnesium 9-Iron".

[Prousa]

04:00 PM on 09/01/2010

But in even more tragic, related news...the golfer suffered a lost-ball penalty, and triple-bogeyed the hole.

[whirledgonecrazy]

03:11 PM on 09/02/2010

That is tragic...

[deven61]

12:08 PM on 09/01/2010

Wow....and I thought my golf swing was horrifying.

[hazbro24]

11:11 AM on 09/01/2010

I have a titanium hammer, and if it hits rocks or concrete it's a spark throwing battle axe.

With titanium golf clubs and dry weather (golf season), I would have to say that this wasn't a random fluke but inevitable.

[Jarrodco]

10:52 AM on 09/01/2010

Any one know the odds? has to be like 1,00,000,000:1

[Suspect X]

02:23 AM on 09/03/2010

I agree.

Now what would be the odds of discarded cigarette butt having the same consequences?

[Scytherius]

10:48 AM on 09/01/2010

Some things in life are just fu****g hysterical ... and this is one of them.

[AgXHolic]

09:07 AM on 09/01/2010

you've got to be kidding f@#king kidding me.

[Jennifer Hagan]

07:55 AM on 09/01/2010

How random is that? Wow.

[MXL]

10:20 AM on 09/01/2010

My thoughts exactly. That's crazy.

[Lochmon]

06:34 AM on 09/01/2010

I didn't know they were filming a sequel to "Happy Gilmore".

[lasjazzman]

06:29 AM on 09/01/2010

Name of the golfer was witheld hmmmmmmmm??? Of course it was - Tiger doesn't need any more bad publicity!!! Heyyyyyyyyyyohhhhhhhhh! I'll be here all week! Don't forget to tip your waitresses and bartenders!!!!

Ok Tiger's lawyers --- This is what is known as a joke!!! Seriously, put down the golf club......

[Suspect X]

02:25 AM on 09/03/2010

My guess is it was a judge or politician that enjoys the occasional cigarette...