The city of Waterbury has banned a golfer from its two courses after he was accused of beating a caddy unconscious.
The man who police said was attacked, spoke with NBC Connecticut on Thursday night to talk about the frightening ordeal that happened inside the 19th Hole Café at East Mountain Golf Course.
He said Rudy Hermstadt, the man he used to caddy for, beat him up badly a few weeks ago.
“I’m really upset, I’m really upset,” said Jeremy Eterginio. “He kicked me square in the back, I have bruises all over my back.”
Eterginio claimed Waterbury’s top amateur golfer was jealous over his friendship with his fiancée.
“It was all black and blue it was swollen. It looked like I got hit in the face with a baseball bat,” Eterginio added.
Surveillance cameras caught the entire fight. Police would not release the video, but said they could clearly see Hermstadt choke the ex-caddy then punch and kick him. They claimed it was so bad Eterginio was unconscious for almost five minutes.
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“I saw the tape and I just started crying...it's just hurtful to watch,” Eterginio admitted.
The recording that led to Hermstadt’s arrest got plenty of attention from city leaders. They just banned him from Waterbury’s golf courses pending the outcome of his criminal case.
“We want to make sure it doesn't happen again,” said Alderman Joseph Begnal Jr.
NBC Connecticut went to Hermstadt’s home to get his side of the story since he bonded out of jail, but no one answered the door. Meanwhile the man he’s accused of attacking was still recovering from last month’s incident.
“I want him in jail,” Eterginio said.
Hermstadt has been charged with assault and breach of peace. He will be in Waterbury Superior Court next week.
