Tripp Isenhour joins the Michael Vick Society

Thursday March 6, 2008 | 03:56:57 pm 388 words, 5760 views

Stress gets to us all. Personally, I have a problem with grinding my teeth in my sleep. I also have on occasion hurled a game controller when Ben Roethlisberger throws an interception during an intense game of John Madden NFL 07. It’s embarrassing, sure, but it’s part of the human condition.

Purposely killing a bird because it’s interrupting a video shoot, as Tripp Isenhour did, is not part of the human condition. It’s much closer to the act of a psychopath really.

From The Smoking Gun:

-Nettled by a noisy red-shouldered hawk that was disrupting a video shoot, a professional golfer allegedly silenced the bird by striking and killing it with a golf drive from about 75 yards away.

Now Tripp Isenhour, 39, is facing a pair of misdemeanor criminal charges for the December 12 incident at Florida’s Grand Cypress Golf Club. According to March 5 court filings, Isenhour–who last year earned nearly $500,000 on the PGA Tour–was taping a “Shoot Like a Pro” video when the bird’s singing disrupted filming on several occasions. The golfer, pictured at right, initially responded by trying to strike the bird as it sat in a tree about 300 yards from where he was filming the video. Those attempts failed.

But when the hawk later relocated to a tree much closer to the set and resumed singing, Isenhour again targeted the bird, announcing, “I’ll get him now.” Investigators allege that it took Isenhour about 10 tries to zero in on the hawk, which was struck with one of Isenhour’s shots and knocked out of the tree. After killing the bird, which fell 30 feet from its perch, Isenhour remarked, “I didn’t think I would hit it,” according to witnesses. The dying hawk, “bleeding from its nostrils, its mouth opening and closing slowly,” was later buried on the golf course

So Isenhour joins the Michael Vick Society, a group of over-pampered, out-of-touch athletes who think that killing animals for the hell of it is their oligarchal right. Remember, Isenhour didn’t just get irritated and rip a shot off at a bird. That would be wrong, but understandable. No, Isenhour took multiple shots at the bird, until it became a game for him.

I wonder if that part will be in the “Shoot Like a Pro” video? And I wonder if Tim Finchem will have anything to say about this.

–WKW

52 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Kiel Christianson [Visitor]

How in the hell did Isenhour earn $1/2 mil on Tour
last year? He's not good enough to keep his card.

That's why he didn't think he'd hit it. But he kept
trying...the jerk!

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 17:14

Comment from: patrick [Visitor]

what a despicable human. $1,500 max fine; that ought to send a message to this hillbilly.

a bird makes some noise during some video that no one cares about...let's kill the bird.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 17:50

Comment from: Conor Smith [Visitor]

There are certain things that will bring unimaginable bad luck to a person. Killing a bird of pray is one of the top things. This man will pay for his actions with more than money. Watch his stats next year, he is finished!

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 18:23

Comment from: otto karr [Visitor]

just another CITY BOY that has his head up his you know what! He should be suspended from the tour for a period of time. All sponors should end their relationship with him. Money is more impotant to him than nature. How can any one that spends that much time on the course not enjoy its inhabitants, whats next? running over squirrels over with carts?

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 18:53

Comment from: CB [Visitor]

Yep....bad karma koming. The hawk is a sacred bird to Native Americans and I don't have my shaman handy to ask, but my guess, this little hawk spirit will be around to haunt "tripp" for many years to come. Like standing over a $100,000 putt, and in his mind, the hawk with talons outstretched coming at him at 100 mph, might give him the yips.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 18:56

Comment from: zombie [Visitor] · http://visitor

how much noise could that hawk have been making at 300 yards? i sure hope this idiot doesn't have any children at home if something that we probably hear everyday and pay no attention to tweeks him out bad enough to kill it.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 19:29

Comment from: Charles [Visitor]

Has anyone watched the film "Thinner"? Well Killing that hawk, one of Gods innocent children
is an evil act of negative energy which we call
negative Karma. By doing so Tripp Isenhour aka
John Henry Isenhour III, could have begun a series of negative events, such as an unending losing streak dominating his career to its end.
Would Tiger Woods have killed that beautiful
animal out of anger and ego? NO, not at all.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 19:31

Comment from: stuart [Visitor]

After the first shot intent is implied
Just like Vick make an example of this idiot I would have loved to see him tring to hit the hawk I would have stopped him I wonder why the other people stood and watched him do this just as much to blame The guy earlier was right this will be bad Karma

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 19:31

Comment from: B.D. [Visitor]

One dead bird = $1500.

One pampered athlete: priceless.

There are some things that money can't buy...
or are there, Nationwide?

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 19:35

Comment from: Phil G. [Visitor]

I think we should tie him to a tree and take line drives at him till he bleeds from the nostrils. I'm sick of these rich snobs not caring about anything but themselves. 'I didn't think I could hit it.', he said. Then what about the statement before that, 'I'll get him now' when the bird got within 75 yards. If you're reading this T.I. email me. I would love to discuss it with you in person.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 19:44

Comment from: GolfPro [Visitor]

Just absolutely stupid. Now he will begin paying for the rest of his life. He'll never be allowed on my course, and I'm not the only one. No big loss to the golfing world. He was a pathetic pro golfer at best, with no future anyway.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 19:44

Comment from: Doug Adams [Visitor]

Another example of a snot nosed spoiled "athlete" doing whatever the heck he wants at another's expense, this time a magnificent hawk. I hope "Tripped" loses his card and all his sponsor money and ends cleaning bird crap off carts at his municipal course. What a jerk!

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 20:08

Comment from: KM [Visitor]

He is saying this was an "accident" and there was "no deliberate intent". Incredible. Hitting the animal you are aiming at is not an accident. It is the direct result of this disgusting jerk's actions. Who are his sponsors anyway? I want to make sure I don't "accidentally" support them while they are supporting him.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 20:19

Comment from: HawkSpirit [Visitor]

Isenhour is only conserned about his image. He got caught doing something he has been doing for a very long time. Who would have thought to shoot balls at a beautiful animal with the intention of inflicting great harm or death? Only someone who has been doing this for a very long time. The great hawk spirit will now haunt him and bring the great force of karma for all of his evil narcassistic cruelty. He's done!

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 20:42

Comment from: Anon [Visitor]

This evil s.o.b asks for forgiveness and privacy for his family? I think he should convicted and then be forced to watch his family have golf balls pitched towards their heads and it should be broadcast on tv. Fair is fair, right? The tour needs to fire his sorry a#* immediately. Why should he be given any privacy. His entire family, children included, should be publicly humiliated for his evil ways. I say start the hate mail to his family today - let his kids know what an evil horrible man this guy really is.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 20:46

Comment from: L.T. [Visitor]

I agree with all of you about this spoiled, overpaid weed wacker. How typical is that of golfers and their disregard for nature? Think of all of the nature that is plowed under to make way for golf courses. I find it all repulsive.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 20:55

Comment from: ronmon [Visitor] · http://mon

I read about this one on Golf Blogger. Absolute disbelief. What a DB!!

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 22:14

Comment from: MR [Visitor]

I disgusted by this. It is unbelievable that someone would not have the judgement and foresight to see the consequences of his actions. If he does something like this in front of witnesses, what does he do when no one is looking. This big self-centered, A.H. sociopath deserves everything that is coming to him and I hope it rains down in buckets. His children should be removed from his house. They must be suffering.

Permalink 03/06/08 @ 22:46

Comment from: Todd [Visitor]

It is really upsetting that rich spoiled jackasses like Isenhour take killing a beautiful bird so lightly. I'd like to see him removed from a gentlemen's game. Something this coward is not.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 00:13

Comment from: Chris Baldwin [Member]

Let's send hate mail to his kids? This is quite the crowd you attract K.

Tripp's no doubt an arrogant jerk and there's no excusing his actions. But these comments prove that there is no quack quite like a supposed animal rights quack.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 01:51

Comment from: Les Lankhorst [Visitor] · http://www.leslankhorst.com

This Tripp idiot should be thrown in jail! What kind of FREAK sits there, while ON A VIDEO SHOOT and repeatedly tries to kill a frickin HAWK w/ a golf ball?!? This retard is seriously derranged! BOy, I love the response thru his statement...."I'm an animal lover...we have 3 adopted kittens..." What the &^**!?? He owns cats, so he's an animal lover?!?? Yeah, tell that to the kids who get up and read the story in the paper about the PRO golfer that spent an hour trying to kill a loud hawk by hitting golf balls at it! IDIOT! I hope he's followed for years by BOOS and JEERS!

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 02:06

Comment from: Tom [Visitor]

What an idiot. They should charge him with the max penalty. He said in his statement that it was an accident and he just wanted to scare the hawk. What happened to clapping your hands and yelling. I live in the country and had to scare hawks away from my bird feeder. Clapping and yelling works 100% of the time. He also stated that he wants us all to respect his family's privacy. To hell with that, bombard these idiots with email until they can't take it anymore.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 02:21

Comment from: jim [Visitor]

Where's the apology to the hawks? That idiot should be made to stand 75yds and have all the tour players shoot titliests at his stupid a$$. I hope he shares a cell with Vick. The PGA should sanction him, his Alma Mater should issue a strong condemning statement, and titliest should drop him as quickly as he shot the bird down. Hope he bleeds from both nostrils. Loser.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 03:35

Comment from: mick [Visitor]

so his mistake was to try and move a bird... not try to kill it... what a strage country guns everywhere and hunting is a sport!! kill deer and what ever moves thats fine, try to make a bird move and a mistake is made..put him prison ...are you all joking what fools your all are.people killed every day in the USA and you worry about this.. so sad you all are...

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 07:57

Comment from: mick [Visitor]

Tom you moron bombard his family!!!what did his family do it was his mistake why should his wife and kids suffer..you all dont like what he did but you want others around him to suffer...so sad you are a pathtetic fool you are i would love to bombard yourfamily with e mails after yor stupid comments MORON

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 08:04

Comment from: Meg [Visitor]

This guy makes me sick. I hope no one buys or watches his video. He is not sorry. The only reason why he issued an apology is because it is politically correct. Someone who is sorry doesn't hit 6 balls at a protected animal and on the last one say "I'll get it this time". He is disgusting and I hope he goes to jail. What human can watch an animal bleed from it's nostrils?

He makes me sick. I hope his wife takes care of the 3 cats he adopted because he may hit them with a golf ball when they meow.

Vick and him can share a cell and both of them should be treated how they treated these animals!

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 09:33

Comment from: BV [Visitor]

Golly darn Wolfie - I have to agree with the Bald One here...look at the whack-jobs that spilled out of the woodwork in this blog!

Yes, a person did a morally reprehensible thing. Umm, we ARE human and ARE allowed to make errors in judgement. That's why we have a judicial system, to assess blame/penalties when those errors are deemed illegal.

Sorry the bird died, and died badly. Hawks ARE beautiful to watch (we have several at my course) and they help keep the pidgeon/parrot population in check! ;)

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 09:54

Comment from: Kathy [Visitor]

To say this guy makes me sick is an understatement. I think the maximum penalties are to light, especially to someone who denies he did it intentionally. At least he should own up to being a uneducated, discompassionate cruel person- of which there are far to many of in this world. It is good to see so many people outraged by his behavior to bad the film crew were having so much fun watching this guy kill this bird of prey. Humans are only 1 species put on this earth to share it and we seem to be bent on destroying the very creatures that make it habitable- next time let the snakes and mice take over the golf course.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 09:58

Comment from: Jennifer Mario [Member]

Isenhour is from the South, incidentally. Will Whoopie Goldberg defend him because killing birds is "part of his culture"?

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 10:22

Comment from: Shanks [Member] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks

Crowd reaction to this guy at a PGA Tour event will undoubtedly be interesting. I'm betting there will be some boos at his birdies and loud hawk impressions at his bogies. His golf career might be done.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 10:23

Comment from: Eric [Visitor]

This is a first class loser, a jerk !! This behavior can only be caused by a mental disorder, as is the case with all individuals who lack any respect for animal life.
The most disturbed group of individuals who suffer from this disorder are the ones that call themselves "hunter"!
Yeah, "great outdoor fun" and "sportsmanship".

To disgusting for words!!

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 11:56

Comment from: Lea Cox [Visitor]

I worked in bird rescue and helped heal and release red-shouldered hawks. They are magnificent animals. This is the mating/breeding season and it was probably one of the parents defending the young, probably in a nearby nest. It is possible that if so, there are also several baby red-shouldered hawks who are also going to die. This kind of cruelty is definitely pathology, similar to the cruelty associated with any cruelty to animals, often associated with cruelty towards women and children as well.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 12:09

Comment from: RG [Visitor]

For the following quote above "so his mistake was to try and move a bird... not try to kill it... what a strage country guns everywhere and hunting is a sport!! kill deer and what ever moves thats fine, try to make a bird move and a mistake is made..put him prison ...are you all joking what fools your all are.people killed every day in the USA and you worry about this.. so sad you all are..."

No, it's the law moron. Hunting is for food. And making the assumption that no one here is upset by senseless killing of people is idiotic. Finally, hitting a ball one at a bird to move it is "bad judgment." Doing it repeatedly until you actually hit it is sick. So sad for you that you lack the moral fiber to feel upset about all injustices large and small.

As for the fools who want to bring his family into it, get a grip. This is not Saudi Arabia or the mob. Punish the guilty, not the related.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 12:16

Comment from: Melissa [Visitor]

He is 5'11" with a pathetically small (you know what) who needs to prove his manhood by preying on a defenseless bird. This poor excuse for a human needs a taste of his own medicine. How about fencing him in a driving range so that everyone could take multiple shots at him. Kind of like how he did to the bird?

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 13:04

Comment from: NewYorkCity [Visitor]

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 14:19

Comment from: another nyc [Visitor]

"It's a bird, people. Ge over it. Do you know how many Jewish children were shot in their school the other day by a Hamas terrorist? No, you are so detached from reality that you are worried about a bird."

There's always "something worse", that doesn't mean other injustices should be overlooked, can I break your legs with a baseball bat and get away with it because thats not as bad as killing multiple children?

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 15:23

Comment from: Monte [Visitor]

It's a bird, people. Ge over it. Do you know how many Jewish children were shot in their school the other day by a Hamas terrorist? No, you are so detached from reality that you are worried about a bird.

You're at the top of the food chain, humans. Act like it. He may have been trying to scare the bird off, maybe trying to ding it so it would fly away. It isn't as if he caged it and tortured it to death. Accident or mild momentary stupidity, at worst. Get some perspective, people."

yeah and WHO designed the food chain? Oh that's right - humans! So of COURSE we're at the top of it! Silly me..

Aside from that, it's a known fact that people who abuse animals are more likely to commit domestic violence and child abuse.

Here, let me simplify it for you NewYorkCity visitor

If you break it down to its bare essentials:
"Abusing an animal is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend itself."

Now break down a human crime, say rape. If we substitute a few pronouns, it's the SAME THING.
"Rape is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend themselves."

Now try it with, say, domestic abuse such as child abuse or spousal abuse:
"Child abuse is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend themselves."

Do you see the pattern here?

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 16:33

Comment from: New York City [Visitor]

"injustices"

The killing fields were an injustice. The Holocaust was an injustice. Slavery was an injustice.

Turn off your iPod, put down the Starbucks latte and get over yourself. A dead bird is not an injustice unless you come from Manhassett and go to liberal arts college.

Permalink 03/07/08 @ 16:35

Comment from: Eileen Palmer [Visitor] · http://yahoo

This is a sad day for golfers and golf fans! He should be made an example of. Golf is a gentleman's sport and this act was anything but that.
He is a disgrace to the human race. This defenseless bird did not deserve this. This is a serious crime!

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 00:34

Comment from: Eileen Palmer [Visitor] · http://yahoo

This is an injustice to the helpless bird! Don't down play this injustice by pointing out obvious injustices. How convenient...you must like power over helpless animals/people
Chicago

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 00:40

Comment from: Mark [Visitor] · http://www.getagrip.com

I think he should put that shot in his video. Now that's accuracy! I bet $100 that every one of you liberal whiners will eat chicken or turkey tomorrow. Why are you so out of whack in your sense of what is right or wrong. I have another $100 that says you're all for abortion too. Oh, that's different, that's a woman's right to choose. Lunatics.

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 00:54

Comment from: Mark [Visitor] · http://www.clueless.com

Monte wrote:
If you break it down to its bare essentials:
"Abusing an animal is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend itself."

Abusing a liberal is a way for a conservative to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend itself."

LOL

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 00:59

Comment from: mick [Visitor]

Lisen to yourselfs..Tripp hs done the wrong thing and admits it and no doubt he will pay for it in the courts and his image for ever tarnished..People this is a crime but not a serious one, pick up your newspapers and read whats really happening in the usa.To suggest to hound his family,to tie him up and hit balls at him,to suggest the PGA sanction him, and to suggest that he should be locked up with Michael Vick...you people are disgusting he will pay through the courts and with sponsorship as the law will take care of it..People who suggest hitting balls at him are low forms of life andthat would be worse an killing a bird... so what does that make you READ THE PAPERS IN THE USA AND SEE THE REAL ISUES YOU PEOPLE ARE PATHETIC LOSERS GET A LIFE

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 07:17

Comment from: tgard [Visitor]

While it is very disturbing that the pro killed the hawk, accident or not, equally disturbing and probably legally fatal is the fact that it is only now that the incident has come to light instead of when it occurred 3 months ago. One reason for this could be the sentencing of Michael Vick which occurred 2 days prior to the incident.

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 08:14

Comment from: Person of thought [Visitor]

This guy is human garbage. There are mistakes in nature and anyone who would take delight in harming any living thing is such a mistake. Sadistic, cruel acts cannot be explained or apologized away. THey are acts of a man's character. This is a window into what Isenhour is about. The question is not if it was one bird vs. thousands of Jews killed as some have alluded. An act of cruelty is an act of cruelty. Never minimize an act of sadism.

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 11:20

Comment from: Josh Taylor [Visitor]

Comparing this to Vick?

Vick wasn't in trouble for killing a few dogs. It was for running an organized crime ring. And being stupid. The latter is about all they have in common.

Permalink 03/08/08 @ 16:51

Comment from: Gretchen34 [Visitor]

I'm so sick of all the abuse of innocent animals. Yeah the Vick case exposed the reality of how cruel man can be to the less powerful & innocent. Murdering people is a crime and killing a protected species is a crime. Both involve violent acts so spare me with calling people who care about animals zealots & nuts. Remember there was also a time when it was accepted & normal to have slaves, child labor, no women's rights in the USA. These atrocities were also considered the normal.

We have dominion over the earth & most times all we do is exploir & kill the less evolved species because of our "superiority".

I'd like to shove a golf club up Tripp's ass.

Permalink 03/09/08 @ 05:08

Comment from: Monte [Visitor]

"I think he should put that shot in his video. Now that's accuracy! I bet $100 that every one of you liberal whiners will eat chicken or turkey tomorrow. Why are you so out of whack in your sense of what is right or wrong. I have another $100 that says you're all for abortion too. Oh, that's different, that's a woman's right to choose. Lunatics.
Monte wrote:
If you break it down to its bare essentials:
"Abusing an animal is a way for a human to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend itself."

Abusing a liberal is a way for a conservative to find power/joy/fulfillment through the torture of a victim they know cannot defend itself."

LOL"

Mark,

Just for the record, I AM a vegan and have been for over 20 years. (So there goes your theory about eating chicken or turkey)... Would you like my address so you can send me the $100????

Secondly, a woman's right to choose is just that - a woman's RIGHT. The discussion does not even belong in politics. I don't feel women have the right to tell men what to do with their bodies and the same holds true the other way around. Look at all the dead-beat dad's out there who don't pay child support? I can go on and on but until you walk in someone's shoes, don't say something like that. A WOMAN has the right to do what she wants with her body... period.

Lastly your childish response of abusing a liberal was quite predictable, I must say. I surely can't wait for Obama to get into office so he can start changing the conservative way this country has been ran for far too long.

Permalink 03/09/08 @ 16:48

Comment from: Oui Oui Oui [Visitor]

WKW,

You first broke the news on the Lynch-gate, now you are the one on this Hawk-gate.

The other bloggers are just eating dust.

Permalink 03/10/08 @ 12:53

Comment from: mick [Visitor]

i love it all you f****** tree huggers hate killing and violence and eat vegetables and are so disgusted at the killing of a bird then stupid b****** like gretchen want to stick a club up a mans bottom...what ever turns you on sweetheart... tree huggers hate violence then promote it you are all f***** up

Permalink 03/12/08 @ 07:35

Comment from: Heavy D [Visitor]

I have always said the punishment should fit the crime. Have him stand 75yds. from a pro golfer and let him drive balls at his head until he bleeds from his nostrils and gasps for air. Fines and suspension wouldn't be satisfying enough. Who's with me?

Permalink 04/04/08 @ 23:40

Comment from: John Otto [Visitor]

Does anyone know how difficult it is to hit something as small as a hawk with a golf shot from 75 yards? It would be tough enough to shoot it with a .22 using a scope!

Anyway, nice shot and welocome to the new religion of the U.S.. Some of these bird loving hippocrates, who eat beef, fowl, fish, et al, and don't have the balls to kill the animals themselves, should stop wringing their hands and strap a set on.

Permalink 08/29/08 @ 20:10

William K. Wolfrum

a WorldGolf.com Blog

WorldGolf.com's William K. Wolfrum blogs about everything in the world of golf and travel, including Michelle Wie, Lorena Ochoa, Tiger Woods and other PGA and LPGA headlines. Plus, he offers the humorous and obscure in news, politics and pop culture.