There are things golfers don’t expect to see when they are setting up an iron shot onto a green.
On Wednesday, at least one surprised golfer saw a moose suddenly pop out of the woods on the back nine of Bangor Municipal Golf Course.
Not just a moose, but a good-sized bull.
There was surprise, but no panic, either on the part of the animal or the people, according to Rob Jarvis, the championship course’s head golf professional.
Several golfing groups — probably about 50 people — saw the moose. It nonchalantly traversed the back nine a few times, sticking to the edges and seemingly was just out for a stroll, sauntering along, enjoying the golf course, Jarvis said.
“He seemed to be courteous. He stayed on the sides and not on the holes,” Jarvis said.
The golf course has had moose visits before, but usually the animals appear stressed and make a hasty exit when they see the golfers, he said.
Jarvis said he got a phone call from a golfer about the moose so drove around the course to give other players a warning that they might see the big animal. When he saw the moose, it was having a drink from a puddle behind the 10th green.
The golf pro said a golfer had seen two different sizes of moose tracks the day before, indicating there could be a cow moose nearby as well. It is the beginning of the rutting season, so perhaps the bull was looking for a mate.
Whatever drew the bull moose to the golf course remains a mystery, but it was a big hit among the golfers.
“It was very entertaining for the people on the golf course,” Jarvis said. “It was a fun twist to a nice fall day.”