Alligator bites golf ball diver

WESTON, Fla. – A golf ball diver was bitten on his left arm by an alligator while diving for golf balls in a pond at a South Florida country club.

The alligator attack happened Wednesday afternoon at the Bonaventure Country Club in Weston.

The diver, Stephen Martinez, said he was in a lake near hole 2 of the golf course when the encounter happened.

“About an hour and a half into my diving, (a) gator snapped onto my left arm,” Martinez said.

An employee at the golf club said he could hear Martinez yelling and whistling for help.

“It didn’t look like it felt very well. He had bite marks on his wrist and hand,” said Bonaventure course manager Randy Weber.

Martinez was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for six puncture wounds. Some of the wounds were very deep, he said.

Martinez made news in 2006 when he was diving for golf balls at a club in Boynton Beach and was also bitten by an alligator. Back then, he said the incident didn’t discourage him from returning to work.

After Wednesday’s incident, he still said he planned to stick with his job.

“I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the chase or just by job but, it’s great exercise,” he said. “But I’ll do it again.”

The alligator, estimated to be between 8 and 9 feet long, was removed by trappers.