PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- An alligator attacked a Coral Springs man who was diving in a pond to recover golf balls Tuesday.

Police said Steven Martinez was diving for golf balls at the Links of Boynton Beach at 8020 Jog Road when the gator grabbed his left forearm in its mouth.

Martinez was able to yank his arm away from the alligator. He made it to shore and was taken to JFK Medical Center.

A trapper was called to the pond and captured the 8-foot-long gator.

Martinez told reporters after being released from the hospital that there was "a real nice puncture" on the top of his hand where the gator bit him.

"I kept trying to feel to see if the gator was going to take a bite and release and try to get a better bite, but (it) never did," Martinez said. "Instead, (it) stayed locked, and then when (it) started to roll, I kicked with (it)."

A spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said the gator was a female that might have been trying to protect a nearby nest. He also said the gator would be euthanized.