The Golf Merapi club in Indonesia is located just five miles from the crater of an active volcano (Merapo, shown in photo) on the “Ring of Fire”, the most active geologic region on the planet.

Merapi means “Mountain of Fire” and has had at least 12 eruptions resulting in human deaths. It’s in the geologic area as the infamous Mt. Tambora which blew its lid in 1816 and killed 92,000 people and Mt. Krakatoa, which killed 36,000 in 1883.

But the danger apparently is what makes this golf course so popular. Where else can you take your life into your hands for a round of golf. Ok, there’s Florida and its gators, but that’s another story. You could theoretically beat one of those off with a four iron ... but when the mountain blows, it’s goodbye world and even a TaylorMade Rescue Wood won’t get you out of that kind of trouble.

There’s a great article on the course here.

Weird Golf Story of The Week

Even while celebrating its centennial, Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania is under fire because its pedigree is suspect.

It claims to be a “Flynn” when it may actually be a “Park.”

William Flynn and Willie Park were two early 20th Century golf course designers (Park also was a two time British Open Champion).  Either would be fine for most, but the Philmont Club wants to be included in the rota of clubs that include Flynn’s Shinnecock Hills, Cherry Hills, Philadelphia Country Club, Huntingdon Valley Country Club, Manufacturers’ Golf and Country Club, Rolling Green Country Club, Green Valley Country Club, and Lancaster Country Club.

Philmont is hosting this year’s “Flynn Cup,” and thus the controversy.

Can you hold the Flynn Cup on a courrse designed by Willie Park?

Only in golf can such things be so weighty.

Weird Golf Story

A Bank Robber in Maryland says that he robbed banks because he needed the money to play golf.

He should have moved to Michigan. The greens fees are much more reasonable here.

Weird Golf Story Of The Week

A caddy who was ridiculed by a golf club owner for losing to a woman has been awarded $34,000 by the New York Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Weird Golf Story Of The Week:

A diver searching for golf balls on the Links of Boynton Beach in Florida was bitten on the arm by an eight foot gator. The gator was later captured.

No further word on the condition of man, or gator.

I’ve often wondered about the experience of playing on golf courses with alligators. Here in Michigan, the angriest thing I’ve ever encountered was a Canada Goose (btw, the proper name is “Canada” goose, not “Canadian”.) I’ve also encoutered a skunk or ten, a couple of possums, fox, scores of wild turkey and deer.

But thankfully, no man-biting carnivores.

I’d like to hear your best allligator and golf stories. Add them to the comments below.