Daryl Dampney, manager of Parley Golf Centre next to Bournemouth Airport, has been searching for the crow that has been swiping golfers’ balls.
Golfers on a Dorset course whose balls kept disappearing from the fairway have identified the culprit – a crow.
The mischievous birdie has been spotted at Parley Golf Centre swiping the balls and flying off with them.
Manager Daryl Dampney went out with his binoculars and has spotted a number of the crows.
Recently the course was expanded near to a wooded area, which is where it is thought the pilferer lives.
Daryl Dampney, manager of Parley Golf Centre next to Bournemouth Airport, has been searching for the crow that has been swiping golfers’ balls.
It is believed that the thief is most likely a Carrion crow – Corvus corone in Latin – and experts say it is probably mistaking the balls for eggs.
Daryl said: “We had a number of reports of balls going missing on various locations around the course.
“Then someone spotted a crow flying off with a ball so we knew who was responsible.
“There is a great deal of wildlife on and around the course, but this is the first time something like this has happened.
“We are letting our members and those who just turn up and play know about the crow.
“There are a number of the birds that seem to live in the woods so I expect that is where all the balls are.”
Daryl Dampney, manager of Parley Golf Centre next to Bournemouth Airport, has been searching for the crow that has been swiping golfers’ balls.
Tony Whitehead, a spokesman for the RSPB, said: “This does happen occasionally.
“It is likely that a single bird is responsible and is mistaking the balls for eggs that it wants to eat. Crows will fly off with food and store it in a larder for later.
“It is most likely a carrion crow and the way to stop it happening is to use fluorescent balls for a time.”
Parley Golf Centre opposite Bournemouth Airport – where a crow has been pinching golfers’ balls
Notes to editors:
Parley Golf Centre in Dorset is set within a beautiful 800 acre farming estate next to the River Stour close to Bournemouth Airport.
It is home to the 17th century Parley Manor and to Parley Equestrian Centre. Wildlife includes roe deer, badgers, foxes and a pair of rare Grey Partridges. And you are likely to see a family of alpacas roaming around too!
Parley Golf Centre opened in 1991 as a six-hole course, but quickly expanded to nine holes and a 27-bay, floodlit driving range was added.
It has been transformed into a centre of excellence and has doubled its footprint.
The nine-hole course has been rebuilt with carefully configured tees allowing for a round of 18 with a total distance of 5,111 yards.
There is a huge short-game practice area, bunker practice facility as well as a state-of-the-art indoor coaching centre.
Also available several ‘academy’ holes from 50 – 100 yards. The café-bar remains a popular venue for golfers and non-golfers alike.
Head greenkeeper Ian Noble is assisted by Mark Gregory and John Morey.
Resident professionals include Chris Brook, Marcus Urbye, Andrew Pakes and Peter Thompson.
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965
