Thursday, July 2, 1998 | 9:42 a.m.
Kurt Allen Lewis, 30, of Bakersfield, was cited for misdemeanor battery for hitting Walsh, 66, early Wednesday. A Douglas County sheriff's report said both men had been drinking.
Walsh, his lip swollen, didn't show up later Wednesday for his first scheduled day of play in a celebrity golf tournament at nearby Genoa Lakes.
According to the sheriff's report, Lewis said he was looking over Walsh's shoulder, saw Walsh peek at a face-down card and jokingly told him he shouldn't do that.
Lewis said Walsh got irritated, waved a hand at him, brushing his shirt, and said, "Do you know who I am? Get the (expletive) away from me." Lewis then hit him.
Walsh's version was that Lewis was crowding him and he was punched when he extended his right arm toward him to create space between them.
The card dealer said she saw the two talking, heard another player tell them to cool off, saw Walsh grab Lewis' shirt and then saw the punch.
Deputies said Walsh insisted on a citizen's arrest but Lewis was only cited for misdemeanor battery because of the conflicting accounts.
Walsh retired as the 49ers coach after the 1988 season, with 102 wins in 10 years and Super Bowl titles in 1982, 1985 and 1989.
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