Attn Mrs. Mallard: One of your eggs will never make it

We counted nine eggs -- and a mulligan.

The Abbey Point Homeowners Association Grounds Crew was busy spreading bags of cypress chips around the pond this fine Monday afternoon when the head bagman, John Gerken, startled a nesting mallard. From a safe distance, the mother duck stared down Association President Bud Osmundson as he took full charge of the situation. A cautious investigation eventually revealed a clutch of nine smooth-shelled hopefuls, plus one outsider with dimples, a Stratus logo and absolutely no chance whatsoever of hatching.
Association biologists aren't sure if the mother duck was inspired by the presence of the golf ball to make her nest in that location, or if she had carried the orphan in from the adjacent No. 14 rough out of a sense of decency.  Whatever the case, the association members backed off, to let Mrs. Mallard get back to her business.
We'll observe the progress of the nest, bid the new chicks good luck, and hope there's no disappointment over the little dimpled one who didn't make it.

Rough start.