Golfer says man kidnapped him at Pearlridge course

By Rod Ohira and Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writers

Police are investigating an unusual case in which a 50-year-old man said he was kidnapped at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon while golfing at Pearl Country Club.

Police said the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. at the Pearlridge golf course's first hole. The golfer said a man jumped over the fence and asked for a ride to the parking lot in his cart. The golfer agreed but when he continued to play out the hole, the stranger took a handgun out of a briefcase and ordered him into the golf cart, police said.

Once in the parking lot, the victim was forced into his pickup truck and ordered to drive the gunman to the nearby housing complex. The gunman asked the victim if he could "borrow" $20, but changed his mind and fled, police said.

The kidnapper may have been involved in a burglary near the golf course in which a handgun was stolen, police said.

Pearl Country Club head club professional Kevin Hayashi said this is the first time he can remember something happening like this.

"We usually assign security in our parking lot to watch for car break-ins, but this one was a strange occurrence," Hayashi said.