Golf

Watch out for geese when you golf! Was a Myrtle Beach golfer attacked by a goose?

A Facebook user allegedly posted a Myrtle Beach golfer being attacked by a goose. Here’s what we know
A Facebook user allegedly posted a Myrtle Beach golfer being attacked by a goose. Here’s what we know Courtesy of Facebook

Reality Check is a new Sun News series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email online@thesunnews.com.

Is this real? Did it happen in Myrtle Beach?

A Facebook user posted photos of a golfer allegedly in Myrtle Beach getting attacked by a goose April 18, 2024. The photos sparked a viral reaction from users, shared less than 2,000 times and many took to the comments section to tell about their own brushes with the loud, obnoxious birds or their best avian-related puns.

However, the photos from the post are not from Myrtle Beach and not from 2024. The photos are from a 2018 high school golf tournament in Michigan, according to a Michigan TV station. USA Today has a video of the photo from 2018.

Geese are an annoying part of a round of golf most players have to deal with when playing a course. Few golfers expect to be attacked by one while walking to their next shot, though.

However, geese are also territorial birds, according to Varment Guard. Varment Guard added that geese become aggressive when people get too close to nests and or babies.

Despite the dust-up, South Carolina is the focus of the PGA Tour. The RBC Heritage tournament, a PGA Signature event, is taking place at the Harbor Town Golf Links. The tournament is scheduled to conclude April 21, 2024. Myrtle Beach will soon follow with its first-ever PGA Tournament starting May 9, 2024, as the Myrtle Beach Classic tees off at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club.

This story was originally published April 19, 2024 at 3:42 PM.

Ben Morse
The Sun News
Ben Morse is the Retail and Leisure Reporter for The Sun News. Morse covers local business and Coastal Carolina University football and was awarded third place in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association News Contest for sports beat reporting and second place for sports video in the all-daily division. Morse previously worked for The Island Packet, covering local government. Morse graduated from American University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and economics and is originally from Prospect, Kentucky.
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