Golf, as we all know, is a genteel, civilized game. One that requires an even temper and a steady disposition to survive a good walk spoiled with your sanity intact. Players given to screaming and club-tossing are looked down upon and don’t typically prosper when scores are tallied at the 19th hole. It’s a game of honor with its own rules of etiquette, a game in which players assess penalties on themselves. But if you’ve ever plied the fairways and greens in pursuit of pars and the occasional birdie, you know that few things can be more infuriating (and detrimental to your score) than slow play . . .
Which is apparently why a foursome trailing Alejandro Baeza’s group asked him to pick up the pace. A request to which Baeza took exception.
Police told the New Britain Herald that it started when the group playing behind Baeza’s became agitated at the pace of play.
“Words were exchanged about golf etiquette and playing through,” Capt. Thomas Steck told the newspaper. “A man in the first group then went to his golf cart and retrieved a firearm.”
Police say Baeza then put the gun under his clothing and pulled back his shirt to reveal the gun to the group behind his.
Some might wonder why a golfer would carry a firearm during a $5 Nassau. We, of course, think packing while putting makes perfect sense. But if you’re one of those annoying weekend hacks who thinks he’s Rory McIlroy and provokes a row over your excessive plumb-bobbing and generally glacial progress, waving a 4-iron over your head is usually enough to ward off any hostile, disapproving duffers. Brandishing your mohaska could get end your course privileges, or worse.
In Baeza’s case, he’s now facing charges of threatening and breach of the peace. He’s also lost his pistol permit along with his heater. While we’ll be sending him a little something to commemorate this singular achievement, we somehow doubt he’ll greet it the way golf’s winners traditionally do, but he’s certainly earned it.