Ft Worth golfer in serious condition as a result of slow play argument

[Beachcomber]

Here is a question... Could the golf course be at fault here - and have liability at all with the results of this incident?  I ask as from the article, it states that the Marshall informed the group behind the slow playing foursome to play through.  This is what started the exchange between the groups, right?  If this is the case, and the Marshall didn't properly handle the situation - which is obviously the case given the groups had an altercation which lead to someone being impaled by a golf shaft... I would believe the course has ultimate liability.

Note, I'm not a lawyer... :D

[robinoso]

I play this course and I'm still in awe about the attention this story has gotten across the country!

Marshall?  Never seen one there.  Maybe a guy in the proshop out and about, but even then I don't see them getting out that area - especially when they can barely get a cart girl out there.

Sad stuff for sure.  I've heard multiple stories about what could have happened, but I stick with the newpaper on facts - much closer than the wives tales I hear.

[rustyredcab]

For the most part golf is played by adults or darn near adults. Grow up and dial 911. This is not the time to start fighting like we are in high school. Heck, even high school is no longer a place for a "safe" fight.

People are crazy. Guns in their bags? Fist fights on the course? Hitting into guys to "send a message?" Message received and I'm calling the cops and asking that you be charged with assault because you just hit into me. I'm not taking matters into my own hands any more than I would if you walked into my office and threatened me.

[Beachcomber]

  rustyredcab said:

Originally Posted by rustyredcab

For the most part golf is played by adults or darn near adults. Grow up and dial 911. This is not the time to start fighting like we are in high school. Heck, even high school is no longer a place for a "safe" fight.

People are crazy. Guns in their bags? Fist fights on the course? Hitting into guys to "send a message?" Message received and I'm calling the cops and asking that you be charged with assault because you just hit into me. I'm not taking matters into my own hands any more than I would if you walked into my office and threatened me.

I think calling the cops because someone hit into you is a little much... Seriously?  I hope you are kidding.

I've seen dozens of times over my years where people hit into the foursome ahead of them, and many times it was totally a mistake or an accident.

I actually was playing Miles Square Classic course a few weeks back in Fountain Valley.  And on the 1st tee, I was waiting for guys about 220 to 230yds out to hit their 2nd or 3rd shots into a par 4.  And due that they were taking a little longer than normal, the starter asked me to hit.  I knew clearly that they were within range.  And I told the starter that I was not hitting as I would easily air mail their heads with my driver.  He told me that I needed to hit, and I then said look - if you are willing to pay for their medical bills, if I hit one of them, then I'll go ahead and hit it.  But I'm not hitting unless you are willing to take on that liability.  He just looked at me like I was crazy.  I proceeded to wait until they got on the green, and then hit my tee shot which went far beyond where the group was when the starter told me to hit.  The starter actually apologized to me after my tee shot.

I'm saying this because if people followed your instructions to call the cops... And I hit that drive into the foursome ahead, they would be calling the cops!  Now, if I hit into them, and the guy comes back with a Gun - or starts an altercation... Ok, call the cops.  But not because someone hits into you.

[x129]

In this case that is pretty much what they guys did. The marshall said to let them play through.

  The Recreational Golfer said:

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

If someone is truly being a snail and telling you to Shove it,  just get out your cell phone, call the number on the scorecard, and get someone from the clubhouse to come out and deal with it.

[oakdale]

well this is taking things a little too far...

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/golfer-stabbed-leg-trying-play-163539055.html

Quote:

You may want to reconsider asking the foursome in front of you if you can play through the next time you're on the course.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram , an on-course altercation turned ugly when a threesome tried to play through a slow foursome that was holding the group up.

After receiving instruction from the course marshal to play ahead, the group encountered a roadblock when they tried to pass the  foursome. Clay Carpenter, a member of the threesome got into a war of words with the foursome, and before he knew it, he was on the ground fighting with one of the golfers.

That's when things turned really ugly, after a member of the foursome reportedly used a broken club shaft to stab Carpenter in the leg twice.

But the story gets even more bizarre. As Carpenter lay suffering with a punctured femoral artery and massive blood loss, a member of the foursome called 911 and told the dispatcher that the victim had fallen "on a golf club or something."

Carpenter was rushed to the hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released on Sunday. That's the good news. The unfortunate news is that the loss of blood could lead to Carpenter having his leg removed due to the lack of blood flow.

"People get in arguments every day on every golf course in America," Carpenter told the Star-Telegram. "But 99.9 percent of the time no one takes it this far."

It should never get to this point. Hopefully the entire foursome gets the book thrown at them for this gruesome incident.

[oakdale]

(there's video if you click on the link)

[ghalfaire]

Probably enough blame to go around in this event.  First of all the Marshall should have also told the foursome to let the faster group through and hung around to ensure they did.  Second, the faster group should have called the Marshall back if he slow foursome refused to let them play through.  Third, if slower group had an "open hole" in front of them, they either needed pick up and go to the next tee or let faster groups play through.  Lastly if the slow group didn't have an open hole in front of them, e.g. they were keeping up, then no one should have expected them to let faster group play through in less they wanted to.  It might have been a courtesy for them to do that, but not a requirement.

Just a last comment; it is just stupid to get into an altercation with people you don't know.  You can end up "dead right" in a hurry.   Having lived a lot of years and seen more than my fair share of conflict I can only advise you (all) to choose your battles carefully and make sure the possible cost is worth the gain.  I'd further suggest that gaining a few minutes on getting to the club house isn't worth your or anyone else's life and/or health.  So the sixties saying of "make love not war" is a good one to follow.  Carpe Diem ya'll.

[Paradox]

This doesn't "happen often" or "happen everywhere" it just happens where stupid people are.  If this type of thing or any type of altercation is a regular occurence where any of you play golf then I'd say its either time to find a new course or get some anger management classes.  This is not something that should EVER happen with adults.  For the love of God, its someone asking to play through on a golf course.  If I were the slow group and someone was irate about wanting to play through...sure, go ahead..no problems man, sorry for holding you up"..If I were in the group that wanted through and weren't allowed.."ok, no problems, We just saw that opening ahead and didn't want you guys feeling rushed by us..we can wait though..just out enjoying this beautiful day!"