While the recent incident involving a small crocodile biting a golfer at the Palmersea Reef in Port Douglas yesterday has snapped up headlines all over the country, but there may be a greater danger in play. 

At about 4pm on Monday a local golfer was playing the course and hit a ball into a water hazard near the 11th hole. 

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Walking down to retrieve the ball, the golfer failed to and surprised a 1.2 metre saltwater crocodile sunning itself on the bank. 

The croc snapped at the man’s leg, leaving two small puncture wounds. 

Understandably deterred from trying to retrieve his lost ball, the golfer drove himself back to Palmersea’s clubhouse and was attended to by staff and later Queensland Ambulance personnel. 

Manager Ben Wood said the incident wasn’t serious.

“He was in very good spirits - he drove himself back to the clubhouse, our staff performed first aid later he walked from the club to the ambulance so he’s obviously not got major damage,” Mr Wood said. 

The golfer, a member of Palmersea Reef, was treated at Mossman Hospital for risk of infection but is not expected to have any lasting damage.

News media all over the country jumped on the story, including not just the Cairns Post but also Seven and Win local TV news, the Australian and even the Today Show. 

Not since the approach of Cyclone Nathan several weeks ago had Port Douglas seen such national attention. 

Gerry Ireland heads up economic development group Douglas Inc and says the Douglas Shire Council needs a clear and understandable plan for managing crocodiles and balancing the welfare of the animals against the region’s tourism economy.

He warns that if there was a more serious crocodile attack, the ramifications for Port Douglas could be massive, especially taking into account the media’s interest in croc attack stories.