Golf is part of the many activities in the tourism industry. Courses and clubs in the sport have contacts in the travel and tours sector who bring in guests. Aside from the regular tournaments which attract participants and spectators from different parts of the world, there are also individuals who go on golfing vacations.
One guest in a golf course in Mexico name Iberostar Cancun Golf Club is Edward Lunger. A shot of his went on to go into a bunker. A yellow hazard tape was around the area but seemed like just a simple sign of a simple hazard. Lunger thought it was just so and went into the bunker to continue with the hole. But what happened next is what anybody, except Crocodile Dundee, will be terrified of.
According to Lunger, out from the brush a crocodile jumped out and attacked him. The monster took a munch on his left arm and dragged him. He hysterically struggled for his freedom and life. Luckily, his playing partner and friend Mark Martin was just nearby and was able to help him. He quickly jumped into the scene, picked up a 40 pound rock and slammed it on the head of the female crocodile. He was able save his friend but he was already injured.
Lunger is suing the resort for $2.25 million in damages. He lost his middle finger and much of his ring finger. His legal counsel argues that the golf course management failed to place the appropriate signs warning for the presence of reptiles in that portion of the golf course. To make matters worse, there is talk going around that apparently the resort wanted Lunger to sign documents purporting to exclude Iberostar resort from any lawsuit and that after his refusal to do so, the management reportedly circulated stories that Lunger and his friend Martin provoked the crocodile with chicken. The crocodile victim denied the rumor and intends to make the resort pay dearly for the ordeal he went through and the trauma that comes with it.
This incident is a warning sign for golf tourists and all other kinds of vacationers. If the assertions of the Lunger are all true, the resort have committed many violations of the law. Everybody should be doubly cautious when dealing with hazard signs. This is especially so with waters or greens in which there is low visibility and nobody knows what could be lurking behind or under them. This is also a wake up call for the tourism, sports and recreation industries. They should be responsible enough for their guests and their safety.
Tourism is not only about traveling on trips, enjoying the rides, seeing the scenic spots and having a ball with the games being played. While there are thrills, there should also be corresponding safety and security. It is not only students who need essays: some guidelines for informative essay writing to abide by, the tourism industry also needs to abide by rules, especially those which relate to life and health.
