Probably the work of a frustrated golfer. He/she hit into that underbrush too many times... took matters into their own hands.
Being Masters Week there's an interesting story about a tree on the 17th fairway at Augusta, 210 yards out on the left. It is now known as the Eisenhower Tree because of their member President Eisenhower who hit that tree off the tee too many times. In a club meeting he proposed that it be cut down... and was called out of order. The tree stands today but is essentially out of play for the pros... they just go over it. Look for it on television this week.