Sept. 18, 2026, 8:23 a.m. ET
A viral video shows a large alligator being followed by a flock of turkeys on a Florida golf course.The unusual wildlife encounter took place at St. John’s Golf Club near St. Augustine.Alligators are a common sight on Florida golf courses and are found in all 67 counties.Florida is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators.
Golfers at St. John’s Golf Club near St. Augustine, Florida, are forewarned when they step on the property that they might be running across extra hazards: the club’s logo is a curled-up gator.
Players at most Florida courses are accustomed to unusual wildlife encounters. Alligators crossing fairways have become almost routine, joining the long list of hazards that can disrupt a round. But even by Sunshine State standards, the latest viral scene was something special.
A video making the rounds on social media this week captured an enormous alligator roaming a fairway at St. Johns, accompanied by an unlikely entourage: a flock of turkeys.
The feathered followers trailed the reptile across the course, creating a scene that looked more like a nature documentary than a typical day on the links. While golfers often keep an eye out for wandering gators, few expected to see one escorted by what appeared to be its own security detail.
The bizarre wildlife parade quickly drew attention online, adding another memorable chapter to Florida golf’s reputation for delivering some of the sport’s most unexpected sights. The course was originally opened in 1989 and was then redesigned by Erik Larsen in 2022.
Explore how to live where you love to play Access community guides, golf real estate insights, trusted agent connections, and content built for passionate golfers.Alligators are in every Florida county
According to USA Today, alligators can be found in all 67 of Florida’s counties, as well as in nine other states.
Florida has an estimated 1.3 million alligators, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.