Man Kills His Own Daughter With Errant Tee Shot
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A six-year-old girl died Monday after she was hit in the head by a golf ball that her father hit, authorities said.
The child was sitting in a parked golf cart on a path left of where her father was teeing off, according to Orem Police Lt. Trent Colledge.
The two were at Sleepy Ridge Golf Course in Orem, Utah, police said.
The young girl was flown to a hospital in Salt Lake City in critical condition and died from her injuries later Monday evening.
The girl, who police were not identifiying, was her father's "golfing buddy" her uncle told CNN affiliate KSL.
"She loved doing it and had a good time with it all," David Smith told the affiliate. "That was one of their things that they would do together. It was something that was really important to them and something they did all the time."
The incident is being investigated as a tragic accident, Colledge said, adding that police are not pursuing charges.
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Terrible for that family.
Sadly, this was likely pure carelessness. TV news says she was 20 yards from her father. But she also had to be in front of him. If she was straight off to the side or in back of him, of course she could not have been hit. I wouldnt stand in front of anyone while they are teeing off, even off to the side, unless they were a pro, and even then I'd be a little nervous. Bad shots are hit all the time.
John - I play/participate in golfing three to four times a week. Not a great golfer (13 handicap), but persistent and thoroughly love hitting the links, being with friends and being outside.
I have seen fellas/women with low handicaps of two to eight tee off and, as an example, if the hole is a par five, many of them crank it up and whack the ball as hard as they can to get the potential advantage of hitting the green with their second shot. Unfortunately, in their zest, they'll have their elbow out or turn their wrists and hit the ball off the toe or heel/hozzle of their driver and the ball will travel at 'bout 120mph way right or left. I've seen balls hit that go directly 90 degrees left/right and hit the waiting bench or tee marker with tremendous force. I always stand 'bout 15 - 20 feet behind the golfer to, potentially, prevent an errant drive or thrown club hitting me.
Dad was also an avid golfer and he was struck by a ball while standing BEHIND the golfer - ball hit the tee marker and bounced straight back, hitting him in the right knee and almost shattered it. He had to sell his Harley 'cause he could no longer kick start the bike due to the knee injury.
Unfortunately for this gentleman, his golfing game just went to shyte. Mentally, he'll never be able to drive the ball without the thought of what happened with he and his daughter. What occurred is a rare and very unfortunate accident of trying "too hard" - it happens - it shouldn't. Hell, even Tiger Woods has hit one person standing next to the tee box.
I truly feel for the gentleman - very deeply. What a travesty and what a loss. I'll keep him in my thoughts and wish him the strength needed to assist in overcoming this tragedy.
Thanks for the report.
Reminds me of something that happened at a gun range in Northern Arizona a few years back. Mommy and Daddy decided their 9 year old daughter should learn how to fire a 9 mm Uzi sub machine gun. The child was at the firing line with the range instructor standing right next to her instead of behind where he should have been. The weapon was set for full auto fire when the child let loose, the gun arced up out of control with several rounds striking the instructor in the head. The child's parents were standing about 10 yards or so back from the firing line watching all this unfold. There was a lot coverage on this with the two big questions as to who was responsible as in the parents for letting and encouraging their child to fire a fully auto weapon at 9 years, or the instructor who ignored established range protocols for shooting ranges. The child survived but surely she will be traumatized emotionally for a long time if not most of her life. Were the parents negligent? seems both share the blame. the instructor paid for his neglect with his life.
Always is.