Golfers at a $30,000-a-year exclusive club are in court over their bizarre decade-long feud sparked by an on-course sledge
- David Johnston and Michael Holliman have gone to court over decade-long feud
- Pair have been at odds since game at Lakes Golf Club in eastern Sydney in 2010
- Mr Johnston alleged former playing partner sledged him so badly he walked off
- He alleged Mr Holliman punched him three weeks later as they made amends
Members from a ritzy golf club have gone to court over a decade-long feud that started from an allegedly heated incident on the green.
David Johnston and Michael Holliman have been locked in the feud since a game of golf at The Lakes Golf Club, in Eastlakes, eastern Sydney, in 2010.
Mr Johnston alleges his former playing partner sledged him so badly midway through the round that he walked off the course, 9News reported.
David Johnston (pictured) and Michael Holliman have been locked in the feud since a game of golf at The Lakes Golf Club, in Eastlakes, eastern Sydney, in 2010
Tensions came to boiling point three weeks later, with allegations of physical assault.
Mr Johnston claims Mr Holliman punched him while the pair tried to make amends.
He alleges Mr Holliman was late to an 11am tee-off and an argument erupted between the pair in 2015, before the golfer allegedly verbally abused him in 2018.
The Lakes Golf Club is one of Australia’s premier golf clubs with membership costing as much as $30,000.
Mr Johnston has since decided to pursue an Apprehended Violence Order against his former playing partner.
Mr Holliman told the court Mr Johnston had been aggressive and antagonising towards him.
Even so, he said he didn’t believe the pair should be in court over the matter.
‘It’s a game of golf,’ he said.
‘We shouldn’t be in a court room over a game of golf.’
His lawyer John Vizzone argued it was a ‘ludicrous and silly matter’ and argued against an AVO.
If the AVO is granted, Mr Holliman will be unable to visit the golf course while Mr Johnston is on the green.
The matter will be decided in August.
Mr Johnston claims Mr Holliman (pictured) punched him while the pair tried to make amends
The Lakes Golf Club is one of Australia’s premier golf clubs with membership costing as much as $30,000