A round of golf allegedly turned violent in Florida after police say a 50-year-old man attacked a 15-year-old boy because he believed the teen was playing too slowly.
Rhett Drummond was arrested Aug. 22 and charged with third-degree child abuse following the confrontation at Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor, according to court records and an arrest affidavit obtained by WFLA.
Drummond later posted $500 cash bond and was released from the Pinellas County Jail.
The incident reportedly began that morning when Drummond and the teenager got into an argument over the teen’s pace of play.
According to police, both sides were “being disrespectful toward each other” during the initial confrontation, but the argument eventually cooled down and the two groups moved to different areas of the golf course.
Authorities say that did not end the dispute.
Police allege Drummond later got into his golf cart and drove into the cart being operated by the 15-year-old.
The teen told officers he tried to drive away but was unable to get away from Drummond.
According to the affidavit, Drummond then allegedly grabbed the boy by his shirt, pulled him out of the golf cart and threw him onto the ground.
Police say Drummond then struck the teenager in the head and face while the boy was down.
Responding officers reportedly observed red marks around the teen’s neck and said he had a bloody nose.
The teenager’s family told police they wanted charges filed.
According to investigators, Drummond also admitted that he had been involved in the physical confrontation.
He was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail on a child abuse charge.
Drummond posted bond Monday and appeared in court that same day.
Online court records did not list a future court date at the time of the report.
