What happened
During a period of gliding flight, the pilot experienced a complete lack of lift. In an attempt to return to the departure airport, the pilot searched for rising air currents but found none. The aircraft then encountered extreme downdrafts estimated at a rate of at least 1,000 feet per minute.
Realizing that returning to the airport was no longer possible, the pilot elected to perform an emergency landing on a nearby golf course. As the pilot approached a fairway for landing, golfers were observed on the ground directly ahead in the flight path. To avoid striking the individuals, the pilot executed a steep bank. This maneuver caused the glider to sink rapidly, resulting in the aircraft impacting a tree during the landing roll.
The pilot and occupants were not injured. There were no mechanical malfunctions reported following the incident.