The Villages bills itself as “Florida’s Friendliest Retirement Hometown,” but things weren’t so friendly at De La Vista Golf Course recently.
A golf outing between two friends turned violent when Richard Randell, 77, allegedly punched his 84-year-old playing partner in the face, leading to an arrest on a charge of battery on a person 65 years or older, according to Sumter County deputies.
Randell later entered a plea of not guilty, according to court documents filed in late May.
According to the arrest affidavit, the skirmish happened April 29. Deputies say a third member of the golf outing witnesses Randell and the other man arguing on the fourth hole. The man says it wasn’t uncommon for the two to bicker.
As things escalated, the 84-year-old man flipped off Randell, who then said: “Do that again, and I will hit you,” according to the affidavit. The friend did it again and Randell reportedly then punched the man in the face.
The 84-year-old fell to the ground and deputies say he then had to be taken to the hospital, where it was reported he had a bruise on his face.
