The Lockhart State Park Golf Course has been dug up by feral hogs, and it's the worst damage park staff has seen in years.
- Lots of damage can be done overnight
- Dozens of hogs come out each night
- Golf course has temporary holes during repairs
The state-maintained and operated golf course has visible damage that can be seen on at least five of the nine holes. The grass has been dug up and piles of dirt lay where greens and tee boxes should be.
“They can come in and do this damage overnight. The sounders that we've been seeing out here lately are probably 30 to 50 pigs. And that's from big 150lb pigs down to little piglets.”
A creek runs through the park, making it an ideal location for feral hogs to visit and wreak havoc.
“It's basically a highway for hogs. It's like a thoroughfare because they like to stay close to water,” said park superintendent Austin Vieh. “A golf course is ideal for them because we water the greens, we water the tee boxes, the fairways. So the soil is moist and it's easier to root in.”
And that’s exactly what the hogs have done. The damage is so extensive, the park has had to create temporary holes while repairs are underway, frustrating golfers.
“They're not happy about it because you get much better putting surface on the green than you do out here,” Vieh said. “I definitely understand their frustration with the course being in this condition.”
For Danny and Nell Whitehouse, a trip to the Lockhart State Park is a weekly occurrence.
“We’ll camp here, then play while we're camping. Today we just drove in. We live in Buda so we just drove over to golf,” Danny Whitehouse said.
Before heading to the course, park personnel warned them about the damage done by feral hogs.
“How do I feel about that? Um, well, I wish they’d catch them,” Nell Whitehouse said.
“Yeah, we wish they'd catch him. Barbecue them,” Danny Whitehouse said.
Traps are laid out throughout the year to try and deter hogs from visiting the course. Some years, like this year, are worse than others.
“They're very smart and it makes it difficult to manage. Hogs are quick learners,” Vieh said. “So, once they see a buddy get trapped. ‘Okay, we don't go near that boxed cage on the ground.’”
For those thinking of planning a hunting trip to the course to try and eradicate the problem…
“While we could definitely do with less hogs, only licensed and trained park peace officers can come shoot the pigs on the park,” Vieh said.
The golf course is the biggest attraction for daily visitation to the park, bringing in a substantial amount of funding. Vieh said they will feel a hit financially due to this damage deterring golfers.
“Because of the damage and the frustration that causes golfers and inconvenience, and people having to make the decision, ‘we're going to skip this hole because its damage to this to this level.’ We're offering them the opportunity to rent a cart for half off, just so that they can play more holes for the same price as they normally would,” Vieh said.
For Danny and Nell Whitehouse, the hogs may be a hindrance, but the piles of dirt won’t keep them from teeing off in Lockhart.
“It makes it tough to play. I mean this is a good place for us to play,” Danny said.
“Yeah, we lose a ball or two,” Nell said.
“We’ll still come. We enjoy being out here,” Danny said.