HARVEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities arrested a golfer on Monday after a fight during a golf tournament at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton.
The victim identified as Southern California native and former University of Alabama-Birmingham golfer Austen Dailey and suspect identified as 20-year-old Luke Smith, a University of Tennessee Martin sophomore from Covington, Tennessee, were golfing together as part of a qualifying event for the PGA Korn Ferry Tour Wichita Open, according to a media release from Newton Police.
An argument began when Smith and his father/caddy refused to help Dailey look for an errant golf ball in the rough.
Smith then punched Dailey in the face and tackled him to the ground. He held Dailey down until he said “uncle,” and then released him.
Newton Police arrested Smith and booked him into the Harvey County Detention Center on a requested charge of misdemeanor battery. The report will be forwarded to the Newton City Prosecutor’s Office for review of charges.
The Korn Ferry Tour has said little about the incident since the two golfers involved are not current members of their tour.