While attending the 2024 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, former teacher and coach Mike Norman was struck by a golf ball, prompting a surprising turn of events.
Norman, who served as an educator from 1988-2014 and coached the Hendersonville High varsity girls basketball team in North Carolina, was hit on the head by a ball teed off by Sepp Straka on hole No. 1 early that morning.
The impact caused Norman to fall, although he did not lose consciousness. Despite sustaining a head injury, Norman declined to go to the hospital and remained on the course to continue enjoying the tournament.
After being treated by EMS personnel, Norman encountered Straka, who expressed his apologies and took down Norman’s contact information before returning to play.
Norman, accompanied by his wife and nephew, stayed at the event for a while longer before deciding to head back to their hotel due to the re-opening of his head wound.
Although Norman’s injury did not require stitches, he was surprised by Straka’s gesture of concern, as the golfer sent him a text message and promised to send him something.
Despite the incident, Norman admitted that his experience at the RBC Heritage was still memorable, even if the blood-stained ball that struck him was never recovered as it went out of bounds.
