Full Breakdown
Boa Constrictors Found at Blackwell Grange Golf Club Spark Safety Concerns
6/24/2026, 10:27:56 AM
Core Event: Two Large Boas Discovered on Darlington Course
On 20 June 2024, a boa constrictor measuring over 6 ft (1.8 m) was found in the long grass of Blackwell Grange Golf Club, Darlington. Professional golfer Aaron Cox retrieved the snake, reporting that it struck him as he placed it in a box. A second boa of similar size had been captured in the same area roughly a week earlier. Both reptiles were handed to the exotic-animal retailer Coast to Coast Exotics for further handling.
Background & Context: Snakes on the Course
Aaron Cox, an Australian professional golfer, described dealing with snakes as “standard” on golf courses, indicating prior experience with similar encounters. The discovery of two large boas within a week has heightened staff concerns about possible further releases of exotic pets in the area.
Timeline & Data
- ~13 June 2024 – First boa constrictor discovered and boxed by Aaron Cox.
- 20 June 2024 – Second boa found; Cox reports a “swipe” while handling it.
- Following days – Snakes transferred to Coast to Coast Exotics, then to Richmond Exotics Centre. One died after two hours in a foster setting; the other was euthanised by a veterinarian.
- Health – Both snakes tested positive for inclusion body disease, a fatal condition affecting boas and pythons.
Official Statements & Responses
Blackwell Grange Golf Club formally requested assistance from Darlington Borough Council to prevent further snake incidents. The council responded that the golf course is private property and therefore “not a council issue,” indicating no direct intervention will be provided.
Criticism & Opposition
Club staff voiced concern that the boas are being abandoned after outgrowing their enclosures, implying deliberate disposal rather than accidental escape. They highlighted a pond on the course where the snakes may be placed before moving into the long grass, suggesting a pattern of release.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The exact source of the snakes remains unverified. While staff suspect intentional dumping, no official investigation or confirmation of pet release has been reported, and details of the snakes’ arrival at the golf course are absent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The consensus of the staff is that they are being dumped here after they have grown too long,” — Aaron Cox, professional golfer
- “There's a pond on the course where they are being put and then they are slithering up into the long grass.” — Aaron Cox, professional golfer
- “The one on Saturday I had to pick up and he had a swipe at me and you could hear the snake hissing at me from the box.” — Aaron Cox, professional golfer
What’s Next: Ongoing Prevention Efforts
The club says it will continue to seek ways to prevent further snake incidents, acknowledging the council’s stance that the issue lies outside its remit.
