Strange week in golf

One of the more bizarre news weeks in golf history

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"Pro golfer Tripp Isenhour took aim with his golf club and shot a birdie ... " read an article that ran on the Orlando Sentinel's Web site early March 6.

"Tripp Isenhour has never gotten this much attention for a single golf shot," the Associated Press wrote later.

"Golfer should be punished for killing bird, but not be a jailbird," read a headline in the Naples Daily News.

Long story short: Isenhour, who is spending most of his time this year on the Nationwide Tour, killed a noisy red-shouldered hawk with a golf shot Dec. 12 while filming an instructional video in Orlando, Fla.

The story broke this week when local prosecutors charged Isenhour with two misdemeanor charges (cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird), which could lead to up to a $10,000 fine. The Humane Society urged the PGA Tour to assign further punishment.

Isenhour responded: "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. As evidenced by our family having adopted three cats from a local shelter, I am an animal lover. We ask that everyone accept my sincerest apology, and please be respectful of my family's privacy."

The story flew as high as the front page of Yahoo.com. The blogosphere was both enthralled and enraged, drawing even ridiculous comparisons to Michael Vick. One message board comment on Golfweek.com read, "I hope Tripp has to pay really big and like others, needs to do a little jail time..."

Mark Calcavecchia, on the other hand, thinks all of this is a little cuckoo: "I really don't know the story enough to comment on it," he said. "I heard he killed an endangered bird with a golf ball, saying he was trying to scare it away. It's a bad break for the bird. It seems like there is a lot of other things that people should be worrying about other than that."

We here at the Scramble ask: If Isenhour called it a "one-in-a-million shot" and he hit the bird on his 10th try, does that mean he's 999,990 under par?

Coming in second-place are the exploits of John Daly and Co. in the Hooters Owl's Nest, a popular hospitality tent at last weekend's PODS Championship.

According to a March 9 article in the Tampa Tribune, Daly, who missed the PODS cut after rounds of 78-80, spent much of Saturday sitting on a barstool, drinking beers, smoking cigarettes and signing autographs.

The article also said:

Daly chugged a beer with one spectator who walked away while shouting, "I just drank with John Daly."

Long John gave the middle finger to a news photographer. (Another member of his group mooned the photographer.)

Daly autographed the backside of a woman's jeans. According to that woman, they also had an interesting conversation: "I go, 'Here I am again. I'm your worst nightmare.' He goes, 'Oh no you're not, honey. As a matter of fact, I like it when you walk away.'

"He goes, 'I like your butt. I'm a butt man.' He goes, 'And you have a nice butt.' Yeah baby, he likes my butt."

We here at the Scramble ask: They're talking about cigarettes, right?

Earning the bronze medal is Fred Funk's wife, Sharon, who this week hopped into the ring with a 400-pound Sumo wrestler, according to the Orange County Register.

Toshiba Classic tournament director Jeff Purser organized a Sumo wrestling exhibition as entertainment for the event's Tuesday pairings party.

After the Sumo show finished, spectators were invited into the ring to participate. Sharon Funk stepped up.

She grabbed onto the belt of one Sumo, who spun her around twice before flinging her to the mat.

"I don't know why I did it," she told the Register.

We here at the Scramble ask: When will this hit YouTube?

Pro charged with killing a hawk with a golf ball - Crazy golf news

There seems to be more and more crazy golf news all the time and this story is no different

When is shooting a birdie a bad idea on a golf course? When it's actually a red-shouldered hawk and you kill it by intentionally hitting it with a golf ball, which is what pro golfer Tripp Isenhour is charged with doing..

Isenhour, 39, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird as a result of the incident, which took place Dec. 12 at Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

Isenhour was taping a video called "Shoot Like a Pro" and was interrupted by the noise of the bird, according to news reports. He eventually knocked the bird out of a tree with one of his shots.

According to court documents, Isenhour got upset when a red-shouldered hawk began making noise, forcing another take. He began hitting balls at the bird, then 300 yards away, but gave up.

Isenhour started again when the hawk moved within about 75 yards, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Brian Baine indicated in a report.

Isenhour allegedly said "I'll get him now," and aimed for the hawk.

A few shots later, witnesses said he hit the hawk. The bird, protected as a migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.

Isenhour plays on the Nationwide Tour.

8 year old golfer in Malaysian pro-am

Rory McIlroy, who is eyeing a place in this year's European Ryder Cup team, was awe-struck by the performance of his eight-year-old playing partner in Wednesday's Malaysian Open pro-am.

McIlroy recorded a hole-in-one on the way to a nine-under 63 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club but it was young nine-handicapper Galvin Green who left a lasting impression on the 18-year-old from Northern Ireland.

"He (Green) is absolutely awesome," McIlroy told the European Tour's official Web site (www.europeantour.com). "I really can't get over how good he is and that really made the day.

"He is an incredibly talented prospect for the future. It was nice to play with him and even though I played pretty well, he made me look pretty average."

The 4-foot-7 Green, who romped to a 14-shot victory in the world under-eight championship, was carrying the ball about 170 yards on Wednesday.

McIlroy, who first made headlines with a flawless opening 68 in last year's British Open at Carnoustie, said the stocky Malaysian was a better golfer than he was at the same age.

"I got (my handicap) down to single figures when I was 11 so he is three years ahead of me," said the teenager.

Green's golfing talents run in the family as his older brother Gavin is also the world under-14 champion.

"Galvin is a strong kid," said McIlroy. "He has solid legs and quite big forearms for a kid of that age...

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Crazy golf story

Most parents will admit that when they are late for a child's appointment they will "fly" to get there.

A Lake Villa man actually took that sentiment literally when he flew his plane from Wisconsin to the golf course of Lincolnshire Marriott Resort because his 14-year-old was late for his tennis lesson at the Lincolnshire Club.

The pilot, Robert Kadera of Lake Villa, was at Ernie's Towing Service in Vernon Hills on Monday afternoon, replacing the plane's skis with tires.

He was planning to move the plane off the towing lot.

He said he did not want to make a comment until he found out what police were going to do about the incident.

Lincolnshire police and the Lake County state's attorney's office are reviewing the incident, according to Lincolnshire police Detective John-Erik Anderson.

"(Kadera) wanted to get back into his plane and take off again," Anderson said.