Golf ball dive fatality - Ohio

[DandyDon]

Man who died while diving for golf balls in pond identified

WAVERLY — A Gallia County man died while diving for golf balls in a pond at a Ross County country club golf course Tuesday afternoon.

The Ross County Sheriff's Office has identified the man as Charles A. Hill, 63.

Lt. Mike Preston, of the sheriff's office, said that Hill's son called 911 about noon.

The man told authorities that the two had been diving for golf balls at the Dogwood Hills Golf Course, in a large pond atop a hill behind a shelter house, and his father never resurfaced.

Both men had been wearing full scuba gear, Preston said.

He said dive teams from the sheriff's office and Union Township Fire Department each responded. It took about 20 minutes to find the man's body in about 8 feet of water about 50 feet from shore, Preston said.

The investigation into an official cause of death and whether there could have been an equipment failure or an underlying medical issue continues.

The golf course is on Debord Road, near the Ross/Pike county line. It is not far off Route 23 but well-hidden and tucked into the woods.

 

[clownfishsydney]

I seem to recall another one like this a year or so ago. Very hard to see how this could happen in very shallow water, other than by getting trapped by something.

 

[NYCNaiad]

Or bad air.

Very sad regardless.

 

[iamrushman]

very sad...condolences to family and friends...praise to the dive teams from the sheriff's office.

 

[USdiver1]

... or a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke, while underwater. Condolences to the victim's family.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Or gear damage/failure/loss...