SEDONA, Ariz. — A Sedona golf course has a lot more than 18 holes now.
A video posted on X (formally known as Twitter) by Em Casey, the assistant superintendent at Seven Canyons Golf Club, shows several divots on the course caused by javelinas that roam the area.
“These javelinas have a knack for digging things up,” said general manager Dave Bisbee.
Bisbee said they have been able to keep the course open since most of the damage is done to only about four or five holes. However, clean-up and repairs are requiring about 150 to 300 hours a week.
While shocked to see the damage done, Bisbee said this situation has happened before. Typically very dry and hot summers in Sedona bring out a large population of javelinas to the golf course. The course sits on 200 acres but is surrounded by 100,000 acres of the Coconino National Forest.
"In all of my time up here, we've had probably seven cycles where the weather has created this whole phenomenon," Bisbee said.
Russ McSpadden with the Center for Biological Diversity said the reason Javelinas go after golf courses is because they are searching for food.
“They also eat a lot of cactus and other plants, and they do a really good job of dispersing seeds of native plants," McSpadden said.
While it may be good for the desert environment in Arizona, it's not the best for golf courses.
Since javelinas are protected by the state, Bisbee said they've had to get creative in keeping them off. What's worked out for him the best, is cayenne powder and chili oil they put on the turf.
“They're southwest animals, they don't like Southwest spiciness on their, on their turf salad,” Bisbee said.
In the long run, Bisbee said they are working with Arizona Game and Fish to place a large fence that will surround the entire golf course to keep the animals out.
In the meantime, they will have to keep a close eye on the creatures.
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