A respected PGA golf professional faces being stripped of his driving licence after a terrifying road rage incident on the M4 motorway that left another motorist with significant injuries.
Darren Golspie, 52, an established golf instructor who has coached at several prestigious clubs including The Berkshire Golf Club, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the violent confrontation near Maidenhead.
The Moment of Fury
The court heard how the altercation erupted during peak traffic conditions when Golspie, driving his black Audi, became embroiled in a dispute with another driver. Witnesses described seeing the golf coach exit his vehicle and approach the other motorist's car in a fit of rage.
What followed was a physical assault that left the victim, a man in his forties, suffering from multiple injuries requiring medical attention. The incident caused significant disruption on the busy motorway, with emergency services rushing to the scene.
A Career Under Threat
Golspie's guilty plea comes as a stark contrast to his professional reputation as a calm and measured golf instructor. Having built his career teaching at some of England's most exclusive golf clubs, the conviction threatens not only his driving privileges but potentially his standing within the golf community.
The court heard character references describing Golspie as "usually composed" and "professional," making the outburst all the more surprising to those who know him.
Legal Repercussions Loom
Magistrates have ordered pre-sentence reports ahead of Golspie's sentencing next month. The golf pro now faces the very real possibility of a driving ban alongside potential custodial sentence for the assault conviction.
His legal representative emphasised Golspie's remorse and previously clean driving record, arguing that the incident was "completely out of character" for the experienced coach.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly road disputes can escalate into life-changing criminal proceedings, even for respected professionals.
