Trespassers are not uncommon on a golf course. This gentleman’s game pretty frequently attracts an animal or two, and on the first day of the South African Open Championship, it was a baby monkey’s turn to make its presence felt. There were a few other onlookers, but the baby monkey was having its first brush with professional golf.

At 8,233 yards, the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate near Johannesburg is the longest course on the DP World Tour, and it is currently hosting the tournament, SA Open, featuring the likes of Thriston Lawrence and Dean Burmester. The course also plays peek-a-boo with wild animals. Little wonder then that the baby monkey arrived to catch the action, accompanied by its family head. A lone springbok was the other onlooker at the time.

Baby monkey watches golf, springboks run amok at Blair Atholl

Some golf courses are known for their animal sightings. The first day of the Investec South African Open Championship wasn’t only about Lawrence & Co, and this wasn’t a stray incident. Take the case of Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Grand Canyon, Arizona which plays host to many tournaments.

The commentator on Sky Sports described the arrival of the baby monkey with a little more compassion. “Speaking of the low course, there’s plenty of wildlife to see as well. This little monkey is enjoying his first taste of tournament golf. And some other onlookers as well…”

Then, a group of springboks made the course their own and ran across it. The DP World Tour’s official X handle posted a video of it, with the commentator saying: “Springboks running across the green. That will leave a mark. They are so cute.” Earlier this year, the LPGA Tour posted a throwback video on its Instagram handle where a bobcat was witnessed while running behind a golfer on the fairway. Some commentators even thought that it was a leopard.

Some years ago, Evan Byrne uploaded a video on the Rumble platform that captured a black bear entering the course and seemingly enjoying a round of golf at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. The bear looked to be particularly fond of a golf ball.

Wildlife loves watching  golf

Wildlife probably loves golf, but sometimes it can be scary. Last year, at the Tara Golf and Country Club in Florida, an alligator was seen strolling across the course. Fox 35 shared the video, as the alligator came from a pond and cross-walked the course to another pond.

Read more: Taking Time Off From Hunting, a Black Bear Opted to Try His Hands on Golf in 2018

Golfers have encountered a variety of animals on the course. Some have even unintentionally hit them with the ball. And while it might look funny, or even lovable, watching on TV, course supervisors have a different view of it. They rather think about the safety of the golfers and the people present at the venue.

Watch this story: Weeks After 2023 U.S Open Course Supervisors Reveal an Insane Story of a Wild Encounter on a Golf Course