June 8, 2008

PERU, IN — Tom McCauley, winner of the 2004 and 2005 Closest to the Pin Contest, added to his legend last week at the 2008 Carl Spackler Open. The 37-year old Captains Club member was bit by a turtle while doing a photo shoot.

McCauley was playing in the practice round last Wednesday when he approached a nesting turtle. Brian Long asked, "Hey McCauley. Let's get a photo." McCauley picked up the turtle and held it near his face. The turtle lashed out and bit off his bottom lip.

"It was a very emotional kiss," said McCauley. "A kiss that included both love and agony."

McCauley is an ex-greenskeeper at Fuzzy Zoeller's Covered Bridge Golf Club in Sellersburg, IN. His experience with turtles is unknown.

Tom's efforts were noted when he took home the 2008 Horses Ass Award on Saturday night by a landslide. He took home the trophy again after winning the 2006 Horses Ass for pole dancing on the party bus with "Depends Undergarments" over top of his bermuda shorts.

"What kind of idiot picks up a wild animal and puts it near their face?" asks Michael Gibson of Columbus, OH. "He has bigger balls than the late Steve Irwin."

The turtle bit off part of McCauley's bottom lip leaving a trail of blood down his face and golf shirt. The turtle was tested for a series of contracted diseases and is expected to live.

McCauley carded 101-101-103=305 strokes during his 7th major. He poured in a disappointing 98 points and finished the 54-hole tournament in a tie with Mike Lewis for 68th position.