WALDPORT – The owner of a well-known Japanese restaurant in Seal Rock apparently slipped and fell into a reservoir at Crestview Golf Club and drowned Sunday.
Kazunori Bessho, 73, was golfing by himself about 2:30 p.m. Sunday and was last observed by a group of golfers standing at the edge of the reservoir that borders the No. 4 green, according to a news release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said as the golfers moved from the green of hole No. 3 to tee of No. 4 they saw a golf cart near the green but no sign of Bessho. When the group moved up to check on Bessho they discovered him floating face down in the reservoir.
The reservoir, used to hold water for irrigation, has a steep bank with a slick rubber lining and a sign warning golfers not to get too close. Because it borders the green on the par 3 hole a lot of players hit their golf balls into it.
Bessho is the owner of Yuzen’s restaurant in Seal Rock. On Monday the restaurant posted on its website that is closed until Bessho’s family decides what to do next with the business.
Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue personnel recovered the body and paramedics pronounced Bessho dead. The cause of death remains under investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
