PGA: Killing of hawk 'regrettable'

ORLANDO, Fla., March 7 (UPI) -- The killing of a protected migratory hawk by golfer Tripp Isenhour was "regrettable and unfortunate," a PGA Tour official said Friday.

Isenhour was charged with cruelty to animals after the incident in December at a Florida golf course. He apologized earlier this week for hitting a golf shot that killed the bird, which was making noise in a tree during the filming of an instructional video. He said he didn't mean to kill the bird.

"Obviously, any set of facts which involve an individual hitting a golf ball at a living target is clearly inappropriate behavior," said Ty Votaw, the tour's vice president of communications.

"Tripp has publicly apologized and has expressed remorse and regret about his actions. We find this entire incident regrettable and unfortunate."

The Humane Society praised Florida prosecutors for filing charges against the golfer, calling his actions "mean-spirited."

Isenhour, 39, a Nationwide Tour player who also has played extensively on the PGA Tour, said he had aimed his shot at the tree, not the bird.

"I can't deny that the accident did happen," Isenhour said. "My intent was simply to get the bird to move."