Elk Grove Man Charged With Assaulting Another Man With Golf Club
ANGELS CAMP (CBS13) - A 61-year-old Elk Grove man was arrested last week after he took out a golf club on the 18th tee and hit a man twice with it, according to Angels Camp police.
Witnesses stated that the altercation started when Robert E. Rappleye Jr. and his golfing partners at Greenhorn Creek Golf Course became angry over the pace of play of some golfers ahead of them on Friday night.
One of the female golfers playing ahead of Rappleye is the wife of the victim, and the 54-year-old victim approached Rappleye and his partners to discuss the issue. According to one witness, the victim was upset over the language and tone directed at his wife.
The verbal altercation became physical and violent when Rappleye took one of his golf clubs and struck the victim two times, police said. According to the victim and witnesses, the first injury was sustained when the man used his left arm in an attempt to block the club that Rappleye swung at him. When Rappleye swung the club a second time, the other man turned away and exposed his back, and Rappleye reportedly struck him in the upper left shoulder blade.
Another witness reported that he attempted to intervene but was threatened by Rappleye, who was still brandishing the golf club. The injured man was treated and released by paramedics on scene.
When Officer Chris Johnson arrived on scene, he found two men still arguing in the parking lot near the pro shop.
The victim reportedly pointed out Rappleye, and the officer detained him in the parking lot as he was loading his golf clubs into his car and apparently preparing to leave.
Rappleye admitted to striking the other man while they were on the 18th tee, police said. He was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on bail the next day and scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 7.
