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Massive Alligator Braves Tropical Storm Eta To Wander Golf Course

Updated September 8, 2021

Although it would seem like 2020 has already given us enough unprecedented things to worry about for a lifetime, even the nation's weather patterns are breaking records in ways that aren't much cause for celebration.

To name just one example, this year's hurricane season has seen 11 hurricanes and 18 tropical storms appear in the Atlantic region. And since that exceeds the 21-letter naming system typically used by the World Meteorological Organization, they've started naming them with Greek letters.

This brings us to the current event causing trouble in the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Eta. But while it provides the backdrop for today's story, it's not the star of the show.

Although it's rare to see hurricanes in November, that is precisely what has happened this year.

As The Palm Beach post reported, records have only shown two hurricanes and nine tropical storms have touched down in Florida and Tropical Storm Eta has now joined that list.

As NBC News reported, Eta is also the sixth hurricane on record to hit the Gulf of Mexico in general as it briefly intensified into a Category 1 hurricane before downgrading back to a tropical storm once it reached the Sunshine State.

But while Tropical Storm Eta has brought intense storm surge and gale force winds with it, that didn't stop golf professional Tyler Stolting from doing his job at Valencia Golf and Country Club in Naples, Florida.

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And as he captured in a video posted on Facebook by the country club, nor did it deter a pretty sizable alligator from wandering onto the golf course.

Since alligators are hardly an uncommon sight in Florida, Stolting appeared more amused by its presence than anything.

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As he and an associate pull up in golf cart, he can be heard saying, "This guy out for a stroll" with a chuckle as the hulking gator lumbers across the green.

For its part, the alligator didn't seem terribly bothered by anything happening around it either.

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Not only did it not appear to notice Stolting's presence but it also seemed unfazed by the tropical storm unfolding around it.

At worst, the winds may have slowed it down slightly.

As the clips ends, the alligator appeared to be making its way to the water we see here.

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Despite the laid back encounter, the alligator nonetheless made waves online for its impressive size and dinosaur-like appearance.

As Stolting wrote in a separate post, "Needless to say, we’re at the part of 2020 where prehistoric monsters are coming back from extinction."

Considering what else has happened this year, it almost wouldn't be surprising.

h/t: NBC News

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