Buster
Cops: Thug Golfer Arrested For Assaulting Fellow Duffers On West Palm Beach Course
A Florida duffer allegedly attacked two of his playing partners with his putter following a dispute over marking a ball, police allege.
Michael Rich, 48, joined a threesome Monday morning at the Madison Green Golf Club in West Palm Beach, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report.
A member of the foursome, Anthony Nazzaro, told deputies that trouble began when “Michael told him to mark his ball then an argument started.” As the dispute escalated, golfer Roy Hall “tried to settle things down,” investigators noted.
But “Michael then swung his putter at Roy, striking his lower leg and breaking his putter,” a deputy reported. Rich then came after Nazzarro, “swinging the broken putter like a sword.” Rich (seen at right) struck Nazzarro on the wrist, causing a “large raised laceration.”
In an interview with cops, Rich claimed that Hall “ran up to him and pushed him with golf club.” Feeling threatened, Rich said he swung at the back of Hall’s leg because he “wanted them to stay away.”
Since he was judged to be the primary aggressor, Rich was arrested and charged with two counts of felony battery. After spending a day in jail, Rich was released from custody Tuesday on his own recognizance.
Similar golf rage incidents occurred last month and last June.