Opinion & Analysis
Golf Fight! Golfer gets KO’d in Alberta
Warning: This video contains explicit language
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Warning: This video contains explicit language
I had a high school friend who wrestled in the winter and golfed in the summer. He wanted to find a way to combine the two sports. Fortunately, I wasn’t around when (or if) he succeeded. He was a good golfer and a great wrestler, so you understand my reticence.
In the normally-agreeable country of Canada, where fights are restricted to frozen ponds and involve sticks, pucks and the dropping of gloves, a situation happened at the Elk Point Golf and Country Club in the province of Alberta. It can only be described, in the immortal words of Ron Burgundy, as “Wow, that escalated quickly.”
We have no names to attach to the gents involved in the one-punch bout of pugilism. The audio is sketchy at best, so what we can detect are threats, reactions, a sickening thud and apologies (and the giggles of the camera man.)
It seems that white-polo guy attempts to goad neon-green shirt dude into a debate by hurling the words “just walk away” in some sort of “you’re not a man” way. Neon-green guy decides to stand up for all luminescent shirts everywhere and returns to the fray.
“Making it right” somehow enters the picture, as both white-polo guy and neon-green shirt dude agree that something must be made right. Unfortunately, “making it right” involves a haymaker of a right cross from neon-green shirt dude to the jaw of white-polo guy.
There’s something strangely Hollywood about this segment. Smoke (possibly from the camera man’s cigarette) sets a murky scene, trailing across the screen from right to left at least five times. Two damsels run to the aid of the now-unconscious white-polo guy. Immediately remorseful, neon-green shirt guy emphasizes his contrition with a few F-bombs, as all repentant folks have done throughout the ages.
Given the state of the world, with violence exposing itself seemingly everywhere, it should come as no shock that the normally placid, genteel game of golf has fallen victim to such a passionate outburst. We’ve seen professional golfers stalk off greens when slowed down by playing partners, we’ve heard tales of locker-room dress-downs for too-long nails (metal spikes.) It seems the natural course of things that a brief fist fight should occur on the golf course.
Was alcohol involved? Were strokes shaved? Was a swing disrupted? Did someone play into another foursome? In this particular case, we don’t know. For all those posers who have threatened to bury a wedge in someone’s…something, use this as a cautionary lesson. Once executed, you can’t take it back. Golf doesn’t need this. None of us needs this.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
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Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
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YevKasem
Sep 28, 2013 at 11:53 am
As Elaine Benis would have said:
Fake…fake…fake…fake..
D
Sep 18, 2013 at 10:23 am
So does anyone actually go to youtube to see what this was about? This wasn’t about golf at all……….
From youtube.
golfcrazy6969 2 weeks ago
Guy in green had a party at his house and the guy who got laid out went into his bedroom and was watching his women sleep naked. no one knew this occurred until the next day on the course when the guy went around bragging watched her naked. this info got back to my friend and after hearing this his 15yo niece also admitted that he came into her room twice trying to we assume catch her in bed. he deserved to be knocked out and im sure a lot of people who have not? stopped with just one punch.
D
Sep 18, 2013 at 10:25 am
My bad, didn’t scroll all the way down before posting. But agree with what others said. This has no business being on GolfWRX.
Doug
Sep 17, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Not a proud moment for either of them.
Zach
Sep 13, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Reminds me of that srixon commercial with gMac getting owned by the UFC fighter.
TheLegend
Sep 13, 2013 at 12:32 pm
The white shirt guy made a threat, and he was following him so green shirt turned around and gave him what he was looking for! Good job green! This is nothing iv had a gun pulled out on my buddy b4. Some guy stole his clubs and ran. Golf can have some violence sometimes.
Mike Leether
Sep 13, 2013 at 8:28 am
Who called the morality police?. If you don’t wanna watch it, don’t. if you’re offended, leave the site. You’re free to have your opinions. Both camps. Bottom line this is this act of violence DID happen on the golf course and in turn IS relavent. That’s not “IMO”, that is fact!….
J
Sep 12, 2013 at 2:56 pm
Here’s the lesson in that one. Don’t ever let anyone get inside kicking or punching distance.
Burke
Sep 10, 2013 at 1:59 pm
The youtube uploader said this in the comments….Guy in green had a party at his house and the guy who got laid out went into his bedroom and was watching his women sleep naked. no one knew this occurred until the next day on the course when the guy went around bragging watched her naked. this info got back to my friend and after hearing this his 15yo? niece also admitted that he came into her room twice trying to we assume catch her in bed. he deserved to be knocked out and im sure a lot of people who have not stopped with just one punch.
Ken
Sep 4, 2013 at 5:15 pm
If you read the comments on YouTube you will understand the genesis of t his fight. Apparently the guy that got knocked out was “snooping” on the green shirt guys Niece in her bedroom and was caught. That’s why he threw the punch. Listen to what he says at the end…”I didn’t want to do that, he walked in on my Niece”. Kind of changes the way you feel about the video after seeing that, but overall I have to agree with some of the other posters – I don’t feel this fits on Golfwrx
Brian
Sep 4, 2013 at 1:10 pm
If you read the YouTube comment this was not a golf argument but something to do with a party the night before. Only thing it has to do with golf is that it happen the next day at the course.
Eric
Sep 4, 2013 at 9:50 am
I think this video shows the effects of what can happen when your back side can’t back up your mouth…..even on the golf course. I have a feeling there are a few members on this site that are going to run into a similar situation as this someday with the way they run their mouths in the forums.
tom milhaus
Sep 4, 2013 at 12:24 am
words have consequences…I’m sure white shirt dude will think twice before challenging the next green shirt dude he comes across. Wisdom is the better part of valor…you never know who’s going to throw the punch. I don’t mind the post of the video. If you’re going to open your mouth you better be prepared to defend your words.
JB
Sep 2, 2013 at 4:57 pm
None of us know what happened before all of this. By the sounds of it, the white shirt guy did something totally wrong. Commenting on what he should/should not have done is unnecessary.
Well written article BTW…as always
Ronald Montesano
Sep 2, 2013 at 9:52 am
Rick,
Thank you for the compliment. It’s good to be a “so called” writer. Keep reading and keep voicing your thoughts and opinions.
Rocky
Sep 2, 2013 at 2:41 am
What do you tell someone itch one black eye?
Nothing. Your already told them once!
Those Canadians are violent.
Rick
Sep 1, 2013 at 9:44 pm
I expect this kind of stuff from GolfWRX but not Golf Digest. Golf Digest should really vet some of these so called writers.
Ronald Montesano
Sep 1, 2013 at 7:07 pm
I doubt it’s the first time someone was decked, knocked out or worse on a golf course. First time I can remember that it was caught on camera and dispersed over the web.
John Mehoff
Sep 1, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Well the guy in green can apologize all he wants yet it looks like 2nd degree battery to me.
p.s. I think the guy in White pissed himself.
Yohanan
Sep 1, 2013 at 1:11 am
First off – Canucks will “Go” as one hockey player said at the drop of a hat or gloves. Its why they let them fight so they drops the sticks Eh? Now in this case we got clubs. At least he hit him with his fist? Because it sure sounds like niece to me. And KCCO find is accurate AND If white pole guy did or does have a problem then he might think twice about being a perv next time? And if that is the case, then white polo guy might be the one going to jail?
It is too bad this had to take place on a tee box and tarnish the game of golf. But it just goes to show you how society has changed and how much golf has changed in the last 20 to 30 or so years.
Cheers
John
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Sounded like it was Tom Green
yo!
Aug 30, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Neither guy did anything to cool down the situation … so the guy with the weak chin ended it.
John
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Lol
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2013 at 11:38 am
I thought it was “walked up on my tee…” or something.
Josh
Aug 30, 2013 at 1:43 pm
I heard both after trying to listen several times. If it was “walked in on my niece”, well….don’t know all the details but not sure if I disagree with green shirt.
If it was “walked up on my tee”, well green shirt should be headed to the jailhouse.
Barry
Aug 30, 2013 at 10:43 am
Unfortunately-The golf course is not immune to the ugly realities of life, which makes it all the more upsetting when distressing incidents like this happen, as it is often a place we go for therapeutic escapism.It rarely gets to this level-but when two people clash and pride and testosterone are involved-this can happen.I know the feeling I got when my girlfriends head was narrowly missed by an errant shot-by an idiot who never gave a warning shout and offered no apology and smirked at me when confronted-the next level is only a split second away-people do not like like this post on golfwrx because we like to believe golf,our beloved game, and the people who play it are whiter than white-no thugs,cheats or thiefs-reality hurts.Great article.
John
Aug 30, 2013 at 10:35 am
Walked in on his what???
Big_5_Hole
Aug 30, 2013 at 11:22 am
I think he says “Walked in on my niece” which indicates this guy may have deserved the sucker punch knock out…. but then again, he may have said something completely different…
John
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Thought it sounded like niece too, walked in where though, potra John?
Philip
Sep 4, 2013 at 11:27 am
I think he said peace…
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2013 at 9:08 am
Evan, that is a cogent response. I find nothing remotely flawed in it. Well thought-out on your part and appreciated by us.
Evan
Aug 30, 2013 at 8:44 am
I don’t necessarily agree that the world is more violent than it was. Certainly instances of violence are more visible because of Media/ Youtube. I think 50 years ago (talking to grandparents) people were more upfront with aggression and social conduct in general. People were accountable for their words and actions, if someone was out of line it might lead to a challenge. Young men have been fist fighting since young men have been walking the earth. One could argue that people put up with more ‘talk’ these days and have suppressed confrontation, sometimes leading to an outburst or overreaction. Look at all of the inflammatory comments made on the internet because someone is behind a key board and not face to face.
This video is an example of an outburst, the white shirted guy obviously was confrontational but did not seem to expect it to get physical. If there is a lesson to be learned here it is that you should be ready to take a punch if you’re going to run your mouth.
John
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Agreed, if more people thought they might get punched in the face, behavior in general would be more civil… Ironic as that may sound…
DB
Sep 2, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Couldn’t agree more. When will people be held accountable for their actions again? I’m not saying the guy deserved to be punched. But way too many people are offended by the sight of someone being punched right here. I failed a test to get a job when they asked “Is it ever ok to hit someone?” I thought back to a night at the bar and a guy walking around sticking his hand up girls skirt, after a couple good feels he was knocked out. This should happen more, and lawsuits or police calls less.
naflack
Sep 4, 2013 at 4:13 pm
well said.
christian
Sep 27, 2013 at 10:42 am
Best response. Thank you
J
Aug 30, 2013 at 8:21 am
Posting the video only helps it reach a broader audience. Justify it as a teaching moment all you like… Laud the negativity of the video… Say that this type of behavior has no place… But apply the same principle to other materials…
You wouldn’t post a pornographic video and then say that’s disgusting would you?
The articles have gone downhill lately…
From a writer pigeon holing muni players with alcoholics and drunken stupidity… To a writer saying violence is bad by spreading images of violence…
Bravo GolfWRX… As the ” Leadership ” of this establishment is fond of saying…
Way to take the High Road.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:41 pm
Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. Pretending it doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away.
Thanks for the comment, J.
Johnny 36
Sep 15, 2013 at 3:47 am
lame duck
Chris
Sep 28, 2013 at 2:16 am
I do slightly understand where your coming from , but at the same time, its just an article and i highly doubt the writer meant to offend anyone. It shows how unpredictable some people can be and we all need to be aware of it. For the record, I do not support violence , but it happens everywhere if you like it or not…even on a quiet golf course.
Leftright
Aug 30, 2013 at 7:49 am
This incident begs the question though, when is it time to retaliate for something on the golf course? The other guy obviously used some words that really got under the green shirt guy’s skin but he did not throw a punch. I wonder if the green shirt guy gets charged for assault? I think some ETOH was involved in this altercation.
Lenny
Aug 30, 2013 at 7:37 am
As someone who has played hockey professionally and has see and been in fights that was not an altercation (fight) it was a sucker punch….if your gonna fight (or GO as we say) square of and get it done. white shirt guy may have been walking over to green shirt guy but his mannerisms certainly didn’t indicate he wanted to GO and when he got KO’d his hands were by his side.. Then green shirt guys say saying “something like ” I didn’t want to do that” ….yup sucker punch. Launcher, great observation on the cart path!
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:44 pm
These are very good points, Lenny. Once the gloves are off, the bets are off. No honor among brawlers. If you don’t throw the first one, you might not get to throw the second, as we see above.
naflack
Sep 4, 2013 at 4:10 pm
I agree with your assessment, absolute sucker punch.
He absolutely wanted to do what he did or he wouldn’t have done it. I have been in this situation, I simply asked the gentlemen if he was here to golf or to fight, them told him that I was indeed here to golf and if he was here to fight he will easily find some takers in the club house bar. Then I went and played my ball…perhaps lucky enough for me the head pro was in the group behind me but either way sometimes people need some calm perspective. In the gentlemans defense when I walked to play my ball he moved on as well.
Johnny 36
Aug 30, 2013 at 12:53 am
Neon = Rig Pig, I would assume
Launcher
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Someone is very lucky that they weren’t 2 feet closer to the cart path. That could have been really bad.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:44 am
Two someones, Launcher. I’m thinking that both guys are in their twenties/early thirties. I remember those days, still a bit hot-headed. Altercations will still easy to come by.
Mat
Aug 29, 2013 at 11:10 pm
If you think this isn’t serious, I’d invite you to see what the damage is to something like this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/05/ricardo-portillo-soccer-referee-dies_n_3219305.html
Ronald Montesano
Aug 30, 2013 at 6:43 am
I agree with you, Mat. It’s never a lark. This has happened at least twice in soccer leagues, also in fan interaction at professional sporting events. If it had been one-sided, blame would be simple. Both parties put down roots in the altercation. Neither one backed away and both are at fault.
Leftright
Aug 30, 2013 at 7:46 am
Ron, what is soccer? (sarc) I don’t think I have ever seen a live soccer game. On TV it’s like watching grass grow to me.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:11 pm
SOMEONE took a class on metaphor in school. I wouldn’t read that into it, Vic, but by all means, don’t let me stop you from doing it.
Mic
Aug 30, 2013 at 10:10 am
You are getting trolled.
vic
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:06 pm
THAT WAS AWESOME! green guy is the best because he represents all the downtrodden underlings yearning to knock out the fat cat capitalist honchos in the world.
THE BEST!
Matthew Hopper
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Totally agree with your assessment mat. And if you buy Ronald’s response I’ve got some swampland for sale.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Thank you, Mat. I disagree with your assessment. It’s a teachable moment. If anyone brings his daily, outside burdens to the golf course, a flare-up might be moments away. Watching this video and reading my words will (hopefully) stop folks from raging on the course and injuring someone.
naflack
Sep 4, 2013 at 4:00 pm
I completely agree!
Very teachable moment indeed.
Curt
Sep 11, 2013 at 2:38 pm
I third that motion!!! A very teachable moment, indeed. Either keep your mouth shut, or learn to defend yourself!! Thats the lesson! Cuz you cant stop someone who is dead set on punching you, if you speak up.
chowchow
Sep 4, 2013 at 4:42 pm
how many people do you think reads this stuff? I am betting less than .0001 of the golfers will read this. Looks like a hockey match broke out at the driving range.
Mat
Aug 29, 2013 at 9:43 pm
And for all the complaining you’re doing about the “given…state of the world”, you’re most guilty of purveying the violence. In fact, you’re sanctioning it. This isn’t an article; it’s simply an excuse to post a video you thought was fun – and very violent.
This had almost nothing to do with golf other than it happened at a golf course. It’s a shame to stain GolfWRX and GolfDigest with this kind of content.
Abelishis
Aug 29, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Mat….. Shut up!!!! Hahahaha