Golf Rage: Police Say 2 Men Clubbed On Long Island Course In Bias Attack
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man has been arrested for allegedly attacking two other men in a bias incident on a golf course.
Grant Smith, 48, of Long Beach was arrested Thursday on assault and menacing charges, Nassau County police said.
Smith was playing golf as a single on the White Course at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Tuesday and wanted to play through. Smith, who is white, then began yelling racial slurs at two golfers, who are black, police said.
Police: 2 Golfers On L.I. Attacked In Bias-Assault
He then allegedly hit one of the golfers, a 65-year-old man, in the leg with his club. With the head of the club broken off, Smith then threatened to stab the man's 66-year-old golf partner with the broken club, police said.
"He used the word three times. I think after the third one, he grabbed his club, came up to us, swung the iron and hit my buddy in the leg, broke the iron," the 66-year-old said. "I picked up the head of his club, holding it as evidence. Of course, he smashed it out of my hand, along with my cell phone because I was also trying to get to the police. And he jumped in his cart and took off."
When asked if his attacker was provoked, the 66-year-old told CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan, "I don't know if he had no motivation because the way he assaulted us looked like he was on a mission to do something. He pointed the broken piece to us and said, essentially, he'll stab us. I'm upset. This is not pleasant for me."
Violent Attack On Golf Course
The victims backed away, then called police as the suspect took off, police said. The 65-year-old was treated at Nassau University Medical Center for a contusion to his calf.
Smith pleaded not guilty. He is being held on $50,000 bond. A judge issued orders of protection for the two attacked golfers.
When approached on Smith's Bay Drive home, one of his neighbors said of the alleged attack,
Here in his bay drive home. Neighbors reacted.
"To have that sort of hate crime is hideous. It's horrible. And scary that it is next door," one person said.
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