Bee swarm cancels college golf tournament

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FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A college golf tournament in Texas had to be canceled when tens of thousands of angry bees attacked people, stinging at least 16 of them, authorities said.

No one was seriously injured at the Waterchase Golf Club between Fort Worth and Arlington, the (Fort Worth) Star-Telegram reported Wednesday.

Course officials said the bee hive behind the 18th green was in a tree branch that snapped off during weekend storms.

Attempts to remove the branch Tuesday as a hazard led to the bees swarming and attacking people.

After 16 golfers, spectators and coaches had been stung, officials announced the cancellation of the rest of the University of Texas at Arlington/Waterchase Invitational.

"Bees were a little upset over what happened and looking for someone to take it out on," beekeeper David Lister, called out to deal with the hive, said.

Lister estimated between 40,000 and 50,000 bees had been displaced when the branch was moved.