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You can use a golf club for all kinds of non-golfy purposes -- walking stick, fishing rod, club, to name three. And now we can add to that list -- firestarter.
Over the weekend, a golfer's routine swing in the rough at the Shady Canyon Golf Course in Irvine, Calif., struck a rock. Not so different from the way you play, right? Only this time, the impact caused a spark, and the spark set off a blaze that eventually covered 25 acres, according to the Steven Buck, General Manager of Shady Canyon Golf Course, and required the efforts of 150 Orange County firefighters, writes the Associated Press.
Wow. And I felt bad the time I shanked a ball through the window of a house too close to the fairway. That was nothing compared to this!
The golfer's name is being withheld, which is probably for the best, and no charges are going to be filed. Fortunately, it all could have been much worse. As it was, the blaze required both helicopters and on-the-ground crews.
The conditions were ripe for a blaze, with dry brush from a recent heat wave just waiting for the right spark. Like, say, one caused by metal on rock.
And now, your turn. This is going to inspire a raft of bad Sportscenter-esque "When we say he set the course on fire, he really set the course on fire!" jokes. So let's get ahead of the curve. Best bad golf-and-fire-related pun in the comments wins a round of applause. Go!
Comments (18) | |
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Marv8
9/2/2010 9:16:10 PM I am still having a hard time believing this story, maybe he was smoking and tossed his cigarette on the ground before hitting and forgot about it. I know metal to rock can create a spark but a fire? |
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Goynes42
9/1/2010 11:42:49 PM The bogey on the previous hole really lit a fire under his a$$, and he rallied down the stretch thanks to a smoking hot putter. |
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Mark Simmons
9/1/2010 9:34:08 PM He suddenly caught fire from the rough, when he showed his metal and his swing sparked an otherwise pedestrian round into a blaze of glory that caught fire and spread throughout the nation. |
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charbob
9/1/2010 6:32:01 PM I have seen sparks fly while playing in the desert out in Tucson. You guys who play in the fairways miss all the fun. |
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cogolfer1
9/1/2010 4:56:41 PM Cool picture |
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LindseyM
9/1/2010 10:19:11 AM That's insane; I don't know what I do--give up and go home or find another course. I've heard of Disco Inferno and Dante's Inferno, I guess this is Shady Canyon Inferno...don't forget your PBR, smores and extra balls cause this course is hot. |
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ShaunCrawford
9/1/2010 9:59:14 AM So smoking hot, the course surrendered! |
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ShaunCrawford
9/1/2010 9:57:57 AM This golfer must have been a Buster Poindexter fan... "Some people like it Hot! Hot! Hot!" |
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Duckhunter
9/1/2010 9:50:21 AM There is a lot of sand in the dirt where I play and late in the day you can see the sparks on most every swing. |
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jdebarojr
9/1/2010 8:58:33 AM He really smoked the competition! |
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PeteG512
9/1/2010 8:49:18 AM The Real Estate market there is extremely HOT!!! |
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bigal2039
9/1/2010 8:46:44 AM hot story |
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ShaunCrawford
9/1/2010 8:42:02 AM So hot, it took 150 firefighters to hose him down! |
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PeteG512
9/1/2010 8:12:09 AM This golfer was en fuego!!! |
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PISC
9/1/2010 7:43:07 AM WOW..what a story! |