A 66-year-old golf course employee died Monday, May 1 while mowing the grass at the Oxford Hills Golf Club, located at 300 E. Drahner Rd.
Daniel Lupe Chapa, of Oxford Township, was found in the lake, along with the riding lawn mower he had been operating, near the course’s first hole.
He was found by two golfers, who reported the situation to the pro shop, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s report. The golf course manager and supervisor went to the scene and pulled Chapa from the water.
Attempts were made to revive him, but they were unsuccessful and Chapa was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:31 p.m.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Frank Lenz said it appears Chapa died of natural causes prior to falling off the mower and into the lake. “He did not drown,” the sergeant said.
According to the sheriff’s report, the Toro mower that Chapa had been operating was found in the lake near his body.
“The grass was cut in an unusual manner leading up to the point where the mower entered the lake,” the report stated. “It appeared that the mower operator drove directly into the lake instead of following the circular pattern around Hole #1.”
The golf course supervisor told deputies Chapa was diabetic and had “also been sick for the past few weeks,” the report stated.
Golf course worker, 66, dies on job added by CJ Carnacchio on
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Dan was a welcome tenant for the last 20 months at our home in Brandon Township. He had a cheery disposition and never asked for any special attention. There would be times when we would go weeks without seeing or hearing him, despite him living in a studio above our garage. But when there was a good snow, he would get up early to help us clean a path to the road. He also was a great storyteller, and the few times I accompanied him to events as simple as going to a restaurant, he made the experience one to remember with his treatment of the wait staff, building up their spirits and self-image. In his prime, Dan was an excellent salesman who know how to get everyone to like him, such as giving an employee on a production line an idea for the employee suggestion box that would earn the employee a nice bonus. He would make sure everything about a sale would go right, and had a quick eye for what was important to the customer, and getting the job done so that everyone looked good. Dan saw each day as an opportunity to create a memorable experience for someone. He was also an excellent rifle shooter, hunter and golfer especially during his younger years. I will miss Dan until. the day I also die.