LEHI, Utah – Police are looking for a suspect after a Lehi man had to undergo brain surgery following an alleged assault at a golf course.
Wayne Magalogo, 65, said he didn’t report the assault until a few weeks after it happened, which is when his extreme headaches sent him to the hospital and he discovered he needed emergency brain surgery.
Magalogo was golfing with his son on the morning of July 2 when the suspect, described as a white male in his ’20s, punched Magalogo in the head while they were putting on the tenth green at Mountain View Golf Course in West Jordan. The man was upset because Magalogo had moved the man’s golf ball.
Wayne’s son, Owen, said the crime is hard for him to understand.
"It's pretty tough, I don't understand why anyone would hurt him...he literally wouldn't hurt a fly,” he said.
Owen Magalogo said his father had planned to “forgive and forget,” but after suffering from intense headaches for two weeks the elder Magalogo went to the emergency room.
"And they actually said that he was having internal bleeding in his brain,” Owen Magalogo said.
Doctors performed brain surgery to relieve the pressure, and Wayne Magalogo was left with 50 stitches in his skull and almost no ability to talk.
West Jordan Police Department officials are investigating the incident.
“A simple lack of golf etiquette leads to nearly somebody getting killed; it's just tragic,” said Sgt. Dan Roberts.
Police officials said because the victim did not initially report the assault, they are behind on finding a suspect.
Police said they are hoping FOX 13 News tipsters can help them out.
"I'm sure there are golfers there that frequent the golf course and may have seen something or may have even heard somebody talking about this,” Roberts said.
The Magalogos said they want to see justice served.
"I know people get pretty angry, it's a sport,” Owen Magalogo said. “Some people say it's supposed to be therapeutic, but obviously not if someone has to punch someone just because of a simple act."
Owen Magalogo said doctors told him his father's speech and full range of motor skills should return within a few months.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the assault is asked to call West Jordan Police at 801-840-4000.
