It’s not every day that a 15-foot long (4.5 metres) alligator strolls across a golf course, but this is Florida we’re talking about.
‘Chubbs’ is a bit of a legend around Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Palmetto, Florida, acting as a kind of mascot for the players.
One guy remarks in the above video: “I think that’s two guys in an alligator suit.” Which is a fair response to seeing something that huge, but it is sadly not the case: Chubbs is very real.
That video is from 2016 when Chubbs was first spotted, and it’s gained over 19 million views since being uploaded.
Now, in 2018 the giant reptile has had another one of his strolls across the golf course captured on camera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umodPmoiLgo
It seems to me that Florida is actually just hell on Earth.
The people playing golf in the first video greet Chubbs so casually, as though humungous alligators that might steal one of your limbs are an everyday occurrence.
At least the second video’s shakiness suggests the cameraman was shaking from fear upon seeing the terrifying carnivore. If I saw a 4.5m long alligator emerge from the trees, I would’ve been off like a rocket in an effort to get as far away as possible as quickly as possible.
The size of that thing is beyond belief. A real-life dinosaur just casually strolled past the golfers on his way to his favourite sunbathing spot, or maybe off to get some lunch at a nearby all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. He walks around the course like he owns the place.
Course officials have stated that Chubbs is almost like a pet; he mostly does his own thing and doesn’t bother anyone as long as they keep their distance. Regulars at the course are apparently unfazed by the prehistoric beast prowling around and so far he has not harmed anyone, so he is free to stay on the land.
The internet famed alligator has made reappearance on the Florida golf course, igniting the interest of his social media following once again. pic.twitter.com/fI5pw7z6Vk
— *Dr Barkat SOOMRO* (@DrBarkatSoomro) February 17, 2018
However, Chubbs is not the biggest alligator on record: the biggest comes in at 5.4 metres (19 feet) and was found in Louisiana. Alligators are enormous and deadly creatures that should be avoided at all costs. If Chubbs is going to be hanging around then I think I’ll pass on golf as a hobby.
I think Karl Stefanovic and Georgie Gardner put it best.
There’s something in the water in Florida.