Air Traffic Control
Minnesota golfer strikes helicopter (yes, a HELICOPTER) with errant shot
Cliff Hawkins
Golf balls end up in all sorts of crazy places. They fly through windows and across highways. They plop into golf cart cup holders, hospitality tents and even the arms of police officers. But never, and we mean NEVER, have we heard of a golf ball winding up where this one did at a Minnesota golf course this weekend.
On Friday, Anoka County deputies were called to Refuge Golf Course in Oak Grove, MN after the pilot of a city helicopter spraying for mosquitos high above the golf course reported being struck by a golf ball while in mid-air. The pilot told police that he noticed the golf ball flying at the aircraft. He safely landed nearby, where he noticed damage to helicopter caused by the surface-to-air missile Maxfli.
Deputies were dispatched to the course in an attempt to identify the golfer, but no one confessed to intentionally or unintentionally (that would be one hell of a miss) striking the helicopter. The investigation is said to be ongoing.
In a statement straight out of a ‘Parks and Recreation’ episode, Executive Director of Mosquito Control Daniel Huff (yes, this is his real title) said the following:
"The safety of our employees and our contractors is my top priority. Helicopters are an essential part of Mosquito Control operations, allowing the District to treat for mosquito larvae in large wetlands during the short window between when eggs hatch and when adult mosquitoes emerge from the water."
No golfer likes being eaten alive by mosquitos while on the course, so hopefully next time they aim at the range picker instead.