"Golf Tee Shot" at the Grand Canyon... US Federal Prosecutors Fine

TikTok Influencer with 7 Million Followers
Drops Balls and Golf Clubs into the Canyon
Average of 12 Deaths Annually at the Grand Canyon

Golf swing scene of a TikTok influencer Photo by Grand Canyon National Park Instagram, USA · Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] An influencer who took a golf tee shot from the cliff edge of the Grand Canyon, a national park representing the United States, has agreed to pay a fine to the federal prosecutors who charged her.

On the 5th, The New York Times (NYT) reported that Casey Sigmund (20), who has nearly 7 million followers on TikTok with videos of exercise and modeling, reached this agreement with the federal prosecutors of Arizona.

At the end of October, Sigmund took a tee shot from the cliff edge of the Grand Canyon and posted the video on TikTok. In the video, after Sigmund swings, not only the golf ball but also the golf club flies down into the canyon. Sigmund shows a surprised expression as if the golf club slipping from her hand was unintentional. The video also included the phrase, "How did this happen?"

As an influencer with many followers, many people watched her video. However, contrary to her expectations, Sigmund's action of taking a tee shot at the Grand Canyon was immediately criticized by public opinion. In particular, the Grand Canyon National Park posted Sigmund's tee shot scene on the park's Instagram account and lamented, "Do we really have to say not to tee shot into the canyon?"

Eventually, Sigmund appeared for questioning by the Grand Canyon park police. She was soon charged with creating a dangerous environment through reckless behavior in the canyon. Instead of going to trial, Sigmund agreed to pay a fine. The specific amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

The Grand Canyon park authorities stated, "Dropping objects from the cliff is illegal and endangers pedestrians and wildlife that may pass below the canyon."

Meanwhile, the average number of deaths at the Grand Canyon park is 12 per year, with most causes being falls and heatstroke.