Florida Golfer Drowned While Looking for Missing Ball

A 74-year-old golfer is believed to have drowned while searching for his lost golf ball.

The body of Hermilo Jazmines was discovered submerged in a pond at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club shortly after he was reported missing, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.  

Jazmines was last seen Sunday morning looking for his ball near the third hole. He had been playing a round of golf with a friend and was later reported missing.

Deputies assisted the Oldsmar Fire Department in conducting a search of the course. They combed a nearby wooded area and also searched the edge of the pond after discovering his golf cart parked near the cart path and his putter lying on the ground near the water. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office dive team recovered Jazmines' body from the pond. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

According to investigators, evidence suggests Jazmines may have fallen into the water and drowned. The avid golfer's friends say he would often search the golf course for lost balls.

The medical examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death however authorities say it does not appear to be suspicious. 

In July a golfer was also found drowned at a golf course. Kazunori Bessho's body was discovered floating face down in a reservoir next to a golf course green on the Oregon Coast, KVAL reported last year.  

"A group of golfers on the 3rd hole of the course advised that Kazunori Bessho was last observed standing near the water's edge in the area of the green on the 4th hole," the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said. "As the group moved up to the 4th hole, they observed a golf cart near the green however Kazunori Bessho was not in sight. When the group moved up to check on Kazunori Bessho they discovered him floating face down in the reservoir." 

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