Slow Play Files: It's Getting Ugly!

The Seattle Times' Sonia Krishnan reports that a 33-year-old man was booked into King County Jail after he struck a fellow golfer on the head with a six-iron. The Auburn Golf Course fight erupted over slow play.

According to police, Compton, his two stepsons and a friend complained to the golf course marshall because the group of golfers ahead of them was playing too slowly, court records show. Shampine was part of that group.

A heated argument then escalated between the two groups of men, and Shampine's brother and Compton got into a shoving match, according to court documents.

Shampine "snapped" and "charged at Compton to protect his brother," records show. He swung his 6-iron at Compton's head, "striking him hard." Officers noted that the club's shaft was bent, documents show.

Guess that's better than getting hit by a maple bat.

The fight ended immediately after Compton fell to the ground, and Shampine was arrested at the scene, said Sgt. Scott Near, spokesman for the Auburn Police Department.

Compton's wife told police her husband had suffered a broken cheekbone, skull fracture and had blood in the brain, according to court documents. His family declined to comment when reached today at Harborview.

Employees of the municipal golf course said they were still reeling from the incident.

"I've been in the golf business 30 years; I've never seen anything like this," said Chris Morris, the course's golf professional. "Occasionally on a hot day you'll get some yelling, but it never leads to violence. This was extremely shocking."