Golf course fight lands one man in hospital, another in jail

A 33-year-old man has been booked into King County Jail after he allegedly struck a fellow golfer on the head with a 6-iron club during a fight Sunday on the Auburn Golf Course.

The victim, James Compton, 45, of Puyallup, lay on the 14th green "bleeding profusely," as a friend applied direct pressure to his head with a blood-soaked bandage, according to court documents. Compton was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and remains in the intensive-care unit, where he was listed today in serious condition.

The suspect, Nicholas Shampine, of Puyallup, is being held on $50,000 bail for investigation of first-degree assault. A spokesman for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said the deadline for filing criminal charges in the assault is Wednesday.

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.

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."

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com