Giant Hippo Decides To Join In On People’s Round Of Golf

When Ockie Annandale and his friends headed out to play golf the other day, they might have been hoping to score a few birdies, or maybe even an eagle. 

But they got something even more memorable.

They got a hippo.

Annandale and his party had just made their approach shots on the 11th hole at Richards Bay Country Club in South Africa when they noticed someone milling about up ahead.

It was a burly local who lives in a freshwater lake at the center of the course.

“There are quite a few hippos in there, but they normally come out to forage at night,” Annandale told The Dodo. “This big boy had come out during the day. We saw him near the edge of the green.”

The hippo was happily munching on some fresh cut grass, so Annandale and his friends decided to try and play on while giving the hippo his space.

“We were seeing if he’d let us putt,” Annandale said. “But the hippo went onto the green and started messing with the flag. My friend actually said, ‘Look, he’s going to take the flag out for you!’”

Here’s video of that moment:

The hippo apparently wanted to join in on their game, in his own hippo way. But Annandale and his friends thought it best to decline the offer.

“We just gave him his space and made some noise. Eventually he ambled away, and we finished the hole,” Annandale said. “You don’t intimidate an animal like that. He intimidates you. That big boy doesn’t care.”

For some perspective on the hippo's size, Annandale points out that the flag he'd stopped to handle stands at about six feet tall. He really is a big boy.

The friends' round of golf was only delayed by a few minutes, but the hippo encounter is something they won't soon forget.

“It was great. It was awesome!” Annandale said, adding: “My friend and I both made birdies on that hole, by the way.”