A golfer was killed by a 3.9m long crocodile on the Skukuza Golf Course Wednesday night.

The 29-year-old Jacques van der Sandt had apparently been visiting his parents who reside in Skukuza on holiday and played a competition earlier the day.

Kruger National Park (KNP) earlier today confirmed that Van der Sandt is the son of a staff member Schalk (retired) and staff member Lorretha van der Sandt; the couple has been working in the park since 1992.

According to WO Oubaas Coetzer, spokesperson for the Skukuza SAPS, it is reported that Van der Sandt and a friend jumped into Lake Panic, which apparently runs through the nine-hole golf course, a few times. After about the fourth time, the crocodile, which was allegedly visible earlier the day, put its jaws around Van der Sandt's chest and dragged him under water.

The club house is situated at the 10th hole, while the bridge from which Van der Sandt is said to have entered the water is at the club's signature hole, number 9 (a par 3 of about 150m), which is played across Lake Panic.

SANParks sent out a press release earlier today and mentions that regional ranger Don English received a call at around 22:00 that an individual had been grabbed by a crocodile at the Lake Panic Dam in the Golf Course area. "Apparently the crocodile surprised the group and snatched the victim then disappeared under water," the release reads.

Rangers were alerted and after searching the dam for over two hours, spotted and put down the 3.9m animal. Fortunately the victim's body was retrieved without any mutilation except the animal's teeth marks at the back and the front.

Van der Sandt was dead on the ranger's arrival.

"It is an unfortunate incident where a promising life was cut short; our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim. Investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances as it was an unnatural death. It is now an SAPS matter and SANParks will conclude its own internal investigation," said Dr Freek Venter, KNP's general manager of conservation management.