Just caught this story via CNN.com – a pro golfer named Tripp Isenhour was taping a TV show and got so angry at the squawking of a red shouldered hawk that he hit golf balls at the animal until he killed it. This fellow is a textbook example of what we call an "asshole."
Here's what Isenhour said in a prepared 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.''
Bullshit. Here's what actually happened, according to the official report:
The 39-year-old player, whose real name is John Henry Isenhour III, became angry while filming "Shoot Like A Pro'" on Dec. 12 at the Grand Cypress Golf Club when a squawking red-shouldered hawk roughly 300 yards away forced another take.
He drove closer to the bird in his golf cart and starting hitting balls at it. The bird didn't move and Isenhour gave up and drove away.
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.
"About the sixth ball came very near the bird's head, and (Isenhour) was very excited that it was so close,'' Baine wrote.
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.
Jethro Senger, a sound engineer at the shoot, said hitting the bird was "basically like a joke to (Isenhour).''
I encourage you to write a brief letter of complaint to the PGA Tour here. This guy should pay dearly for such a malicious act of cruelty.
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