Fore! Golfer narrowly avoids runners when trying to play a shot during race

Sports nearly collided with potentially disastrous consequences in New Zealand when a golfer attempted to play a shot on the racetrack, in the middle of a race.

The field for the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie racecourse on Saturday had already been reduced to five from eight following some early drama, but that was only a sign of things to come as the remaining runners had to negotiate a very unusual obstacle.

In the middle of the track is a pitch and putt golf course, and one of the golfers was keen to take his shot which had strayed on to the racecourse, despite the field bearing down on him.

Jockey Shaun Fannin, who won the race aboard Magic Wonder, told the New Zealand Herald: “We were all yelling at him. He obviously was more interested in his ball than the race.

“When he heard us and saw us coming, he started pointing at his ball to show us what he was doing there. But we just wanted him to get the hell out of the way.

“Really, that is something you never expect to see during a race.”

Racecourse commentator George Simon also picked up on the unwanted intruder and did not hold back in his appraisal of the situation. Jump to 4.47 for his take on the incident, which contains strong language.

Click here to watch the video

Thankfully, no harm was done with the jockeys managing to steer clear of the golfer, and no further action was taken against the individual, for what was deemed an innocent mistake.

Auckland Racing Club chief executive Paul Wilcox said: "The staff from the golf centre immediately pulled him aside, asked for his ID and asked us what we want to do, but we aren’t going to take any action against him."

However, a round of golf will no longer be an option when chases are taking place at Ellerslie, as Wilcox added: "From now on the pitch and putt won't have people playing on it during steeplechase races."

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