Florida man drowns while searching for lost golf ball, authorities say

OLDSMAR, Florida — A 74-year-old man was found dead in a pond on a golf course Sunday and authorities believe he likely fell in while searching for a lost ball.

The body of Hermilo Jazmines was found by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office dive team at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Jazmines was golfing with a friend Sunday morning when he hit his ball in the water on the course’s third hole, the news release says. He was last seen looking for his ball near the water.

Authorities say Jazmines went missing, although his cart was still parked on a path and his putter was found near the edge of the pond. The dive team found Jazmines in the water not far from the putter, the release says.

Friends of Jazmines told deputies that he liked to look for lost balls while golfing. Authorities say the evidence shows Jazmines might have fallen into the water and drowned.

And autopsy is planned but authorities do not suspect foul play.