POLICE used capsicum spray on a golfer they later charged with drink-driving after he allegedly did burnouts and doughnuts on a Northern Territory golf course yesterday.
The golfer, who was driving a golf buggy, returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.12 after he was arrested at the Palmerston Golf and Country Club.
Senior Sergeant Mark Stringer said the Palmerston man was allegedly doing burnouts and doughnuts and driving with a person on the roof.
Police were alerted by a member of the public playing in the club's Sunday competition who allegedly saw the man hooning with friends at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd holes.
The man allegedly refused a breath test at the course and, following a struggle, was capsicum-sprayed by officers trying to arrest him.
The man was eventually subdued, arrested and charged with exceeding .08 and resisting arrest. The club confirmed the 1st hole green and fairway was damaged during the golf buggy joy-ride.
"It's definitely fairly unusual," Sen-Sgt Stringer said. "Obviously his behaviour is what brought him to police attention - doing burnouts and that sort of thing."
Police believe the group was partying on following a buck's night.
Sen-Sgt Stringer said a golf buggy was classed as a motor vehicle and the golf course was a public place.
"It is a motor vehicle under the Motor Vehicles Act and a golf course is a public place. In a public place you are subject to the Traffic Act," he said.
"There may be some other charges forthcoming for damage at the golf course but that is subject to investigation."
Last night, Palmerston Golf and Country Club general manager Laurie Greenwood expressed disgust over the incident.
"We would look at pressing charges depending on the damage. We're not a rich club," he said.
"If there is damage we need to chase down the people that have caused it."