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Alligator attacks man diving for golf balls at Florida country club

The alligator was between eight and 9 1/2 feet long.

By Matt Bradwell
(UPI Photo/Michael Bush)
(UPI Photo/Michael Bush) | License Photo

WESTON, Fla., July 23 (UPI) -- A country club worker in Florida was bitten by an alligator while attempting to retrieve errant golf balls from the bottom of a lake Wednesday.

Steven Martinez was sent to scuba dive for balls lost in a lake at Bonaventure Country Club in Weston, Fla., when he was attacked by an alligator, getting bitten in the hand before escaping to seek help.

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Witnesses say the alligator was very aggressive and, despite retreating after the initial bite, continued to chase after Martinez as he attempted to flea. Bonaventure Country Club manager Randy Weber told CBS Miami the alligator was between eight and 9 1/2 feet long.

Martinez, an employee at used golf ball outlet Birdie Golf, was able to drive a golf cart to the main course where two men called paramedics, who subsequently took Martinez to the hospital. His condition remains unknown.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have caught the rouge gator.

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