Now that's a birdie: Kestrel makes a plucky recovery after being knocked out cold by a golf ball

By Daily Mail Reporter

Watch the birdie: The young kestrel still looks a little dazed after being struck by a golf ball 50ft above the eighth a Worthing Golf Course, Surrey


All golfers strive for a birdie and the occasional eagle - some even dream of hitting an albatross or the mythical condor.

But one lucky golfer can now spend long hours in the clubhouse regaling his mates with the time he once hit a 'kestrel'.

The only trouble is that it is not a rare golfing score - he actually struck a hovering kestrel with his ball, knocking it out of the sky and leaving it with a king-sized headache.

The kestrel was 50ft above the eighth hole at Worthing Golf Club, Sussex, when an unnamed golfer's shot brought it crashing to the ground.


On course for recovery: Billy Elliott, of Worthing Animal Rescue Services, is slowly reintroducing the bird to its old surroundings. It will be released later this week


The bird suffered severe concussion and was treated by Billy Elliott of Worthing Animal Rescue Services.

Mr Elliott said: 'It was a chance in a million that he should hit the kestrel at that height.

'At first we thought it had broken its wing but it was only concussed. At first it could not stand but after about three hours it was able to perch.'

The stunned bird was taken to Grove Lodge Veterinary Hospital, Worthing, and will be released at the golf course later this week.

Mr Elliott said: 'The bird was probably looking for food. Someone said it was looking for a vole-in-one.'

The term 'birdie' - getting a ball into the hole one under par - was allegedly coined in 1899, when George Crump hit his second shot only inches from the cup on a par-four hole after his first shot had struck a bird in flight.

All other bird titles - each bigger than the last - are derived from this nickname.


I can eat a vole in one: The little fellow, seen with Ann Stanford from Grove Lodge Vets, is keen to get back into the sky


Eagles (two under par) usually occur on par five holes but have been known with two insanely long and accurate shots on a par four.

Albatrosses (-3) - also called double eagles - and are extremely rare. They occur most commonly on par-fives, although an unlikely ace (hole in one) on par four holes are also albatrosses.

The lowest individual hole score ever made is a condor. Technically a par five hole-in-one is a condor, although none have ever been recorded. Only four condors have been recorded - two shots on rare par six holes - and never in a professional tournament.

An ostrich is the notional term for a hole-in-one on a par six. This score has never been recorded and is widely considered impossible.


source: dailymail