FORE? ‘FOR’ LORD SAKES, EX-COP ERUPTS IN ‘FUROR’ NEARLY MANGLES TEENS AT AREA GOLF COURSE
FORMER KENTUCKY STATE POLICE TROOPER GETS CHARGED WITH HARASSING TEENAGERS OVER GOLF ETIQUETTE
APRIL 6, 2024 – written by WADE QUEEN
A retired Kentucky State Police trooper is scheduled to appear in court next month, after being accused of harassing and menacing four teenagers at the Stonecrest golf course in Floyd County, KY., following a dispute over golf etiquette.
John Gabbard, 55, of Prestonsburg, KY., was served with a complaint summons to answer four counts of second degree harassment and four counts of menacing next month. According to the complaint, John Gabbard allegedly subjected the teens to “an offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display” and “abusive language” at the Stonecrest back on Friday, March 22.
A video of a portion of the incident has circulated through social media. It appears to show a man identified as John Gabbard, yelling at and cursing someone off-camera in what appears to be the golf course’s parking lot, while complaining that someone didn’t yell “fore” and that he was almost hit in the head.
The complaint says all four of the teens were all placed “in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury.”
John Gabbard is scheduled to appear in Floyd County District Court for arraignment on Wednesday, May 15. John Gabbard has been ordered to have no contact with the teens or their immediate families.
I have golfed for 35 years, and in recent years I have seen young golfers disrespect mature golfers, damage golf carts, and intentionally do damage to golf courses. They blare their music, they sneak alcohol in their golf bags, and they litter. That’s not to say I’ve also seen young men do the same. None of them want to take responsibility for their actions, they disrespect the golf course staff, and it’s all about them in the moment.
I do not golf but like to think I have basic common sense + do not do things ‘in callous disregard for the rights of others.
If ANY of these teens drove a golf ball towards this man with willful disregard for his safety they should be charged.
That he attempted to EDUCATE them by TELLING them (in the spirit of The Game – not supposed to be a WAR – should be to his credit not a reason for unjustifiable attack.
As I consider writing an Amicus Curia Brief I would like to hear DETAILS from the prosecutors office.
How were 4 teens at risk because of an adults speech
What about the obvious danger of a flying golf ball coming in your direction.
If this article has any basis in truth it is the truth our “judicial system”is completely upside down.
It’s not just the young golfer that does this it’s some of the old ones also , they just toss what ever and say I pay for them to pick this up so I’ve got to give them something to do ? Some people just like this one think all that matters is what they want or think ? We need these young people on the golf course and other sports to help them know they are more valuable to their self and our country. And not out partying like they are nothing else to do and getting hooked on drinking and drugs, if we see them doing something wrong we can talk to them about it without cursing and yelling, threatening and acting stupid ( showing them our young people how not to act) just my opinion but if we don’t act better then how do we expect our young generation to know how to act or how to do anything better, it all starts with us to make a better choice a better person a better life for everyone? Thanks