Sports announcer Dave Armstrong is ticketed after fight on golf course

A former Kansas City Royals television announcer has been ticketed for assault after a scuffle last month at a Jackson County golf course.

Dave Armstrong, 59, of Overland Park, is accused of fighting with another golfer during a dispute Nov. 15 at the Fred Arbanas Golf Course in Longview Lake Park.

Armstrong called Royals games from 1993 to 1995. He now is the play-by-play television announcer for Kansas men’s basketball games airing on the Jayhawk Network.

Armstrong said Thursday that he was the victim in the assault and planned to contest the ticket.

Gary Martinez, 51, of Kansas City, reported that he and his friends had just finished the eighth hole when he was approached by a man, according to a sheriff’s department account. The man complained that Martinez had hit a ball in his direction.

“The two reportedly began to argue, and Martinez stated a physical fight ensued,” the account said.

Armstrong said members of Martinez’s group twice hit balls in his direction and he approached them, asking them to stop.

“I said, ‘Hey buddy, we’re keeping up with the group in front of us. Please don’t hit into us,’” Armstrong said.

Armstrong said Martinez responded with an obscenity and struck him. Armstrong said he tried to put Martinez in a headlock, but the two tumbled to the ground.

“I was getting pummeled in a very defenseless position,” Armstrong said.

Mike Yonke, a lawyer representing Martinez, said that Armstrong menaced his client with a golf club but that Martinez would wait to tell his full story in court.

“Dave Armstrong is 6 foot 7 or more, and Mr. Martinez is 5 foot 8 and 170 pounds,” Yonke said. “He sustained a broken finger and a serious shoulder injury. It doesn’t take much to figure out who was the aggressor.”

The row ended when other players separated them. Armstrong said he left the course immediately to defuse the situation.

Armstrong must appear on the ordinance violation in Jackson County Municipal Court on Jan. 15. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $1,000, one year in jail or both.

This story was originally published December 5, 2013 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Sports announcer Dave Armstrong is ticketed after fight on golf course."