Snake in the grass shock (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Snake in the grass shock

10:19am Friday 4th August 2006

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Golfers know that unless they hit straight down the middle of the fairway they can often find their ball in unexpected situations, but not many would expect to find it sitting next to a five foot snake.

But when a young golfer at Strawberry Hill Golf Club hit down the right of the ninth hole last Thursday afternoon and went to look for his ball with his playing partner that is exactly what met them, a large python.

Peter Buchan, the professional at the Wellesley Road club, said: "It was a very unusual experience. A couple of the boys hit the ball to the right side of the ninth fairway and they saw a python sliding out from behind a tree, they were a little concerned.

"They told the secretary Peter Astbury and he came to tell me. It started wandering around the fairway so I decided to pick it up and the secretary got a bucket to put it in.

"I have picked up one before at a zoo, but I have only been told since that they bite. It curled itself around my arm and I thought that if I had it's head it would be ok. Considering all the rain we had I guess it's good that I did pick it up."

Mr Astbury rang the RSPCA who came to collect the snake. An RSPCA spokesman said it would be passed on to specialists who would try and re-house it.

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