Hey folks, have you heard about the havoc caused by hungry javelinas on a golf course in Sedona, Arizona? These pig-like peccaries have been tearing apart the turf, leaving the golf course in a sorry state. But fear not, the clever folks at Seven Canyons Golf Club have found a solution – chili oil! Yeah, you heard that right. These Southwest animals can’t handle Southwest seasoning. Dave Bisbee, the general manager, shared that this isn’t the first time they’ve dealt with javelinas munching on their turf, but the damage this time is pretty rare.
So, what’s causing these javelinas to go on a turf-tearing rampage? Well, blame it on the scorching summer heat. Arizona experienced a hotter than usual summer, with the Sedona area receiving less than 2 inches of rain. Last year, they had a whopping 18 inches of rain during the monsoon season, and guess what? No damage from javelinas. It seems like these peccaries have a taste for well-watered grass.
The turf-tearing started about six weeks ago, and the javelinas have hit about eight different spots on the golf course. The club has been working with the Arizona Game & Fish Department to find a way to peacefully coexist with these hungry creatures. Did you know that a group of javelinas is called a squadron? And this golf course is home to around 30 to 50 squadrons. That’s a lot of peccaries!
The golf course’s predicament has gained a lot of attention on social media, thanks to a video posted by Emily Casey, the assistant superintendent. The video shows divot after divot caused by the javelinas and has been viewed over 25 million times. It’s like a turf massacre out there!
But here’s the interesting part – this isn’t the first time the golf course has dealt with such a situation. Five years ago, after a scorching hot and dry summer, they tried using granules of coyote urine to keep the javelinas away. But guess what? It backfired! It was like adding bacon bits to their salad. The peccaries loved it even more. So, this time, they’ve turned to chili oil, and it seems to be doing the trick. The golf club is working with suppliers to get a concentrated spray, and they’re hoping it will deter the javelinas until the temperatures cool down next week.
Dave Bisbee, the general manager, said, “We’re still trying to figure out the right formulation in the chili oil we put out. It’s a delicate thing for the grass. It’s a continuing dance we do.” Well, let’s hope this dance keeps the javelinas away and the golf course intact. Until then, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for a peaceful coexistence between golfers and peccaries!