ORLANDO, Fla. – For more than 30 years, a group of senior veterans have gathered to hit golf balls and swap stories on a patch of grass near the Central Florida Fairgrounds.

But that decades-long tradition came to an abrupt end earlier this year when the city of Orlando posted “No Golfing” signs on the property, leaving the men feeling blindsided.

“We do more than just play golf,” said Joe Soriano, a local veteran who’s been part of the group for decades. He said the groups shares information about VA benefits, upcoming workshops, and health services.

The group, made up mostly of men in their 60s, 70s and 80s, had turned the quiet field into a social sanctuary.

Onlookers will hear nicknames like “Wiggleham,” “Fat Back,” and “Captain Joe.” But everything changed in February when a separate individual — not affiliated with the group — reportedly began hitting golf balls toward the fairgrounds’ buildings, resulting in a call to police and a trespassing warning.

The next day, the veterans arrived to find signs posted saying “Driving of Golf Balls Prohibited.”

Reverend Harold Hardemon, a regular golfer, said he was “disappointed in the people that’s in charge.”

In response to News 6 inquiries, the city of Orlando said complaints had been mounting for years.

“This unauthorized activity led to several complaints, including damage to vehicles in the proximity and contractor equipment such as mowers due to stray golf balls left on the field. While the City understands the sense of camaraderie and recreational enjoyment sought by those involved, City Code explicitly prohibits such use without proper authorization. Unfortunately, in one instance, an individual became irate and was formally trespassed from the property.” city spokesperson, Ashley Papagni, wrote in a statement.

“Over the years the golfers allowed to drive golf balls on the property next to the Fairgrounds have broken windows in our Main Office with golf balls, dinged multiple employee vehicles and almost hit event attendees on our property. Many complaints were filed with the City about these individuals over the years. Behavior would briefly improve and then return to previous levels. On February 5, 2025 one of the golfers physically and verbally assaulted one of my employees and at that point that individual was trespassed and the golfers were finally removed.”

The veterans dispute many of those claims, insisting the February incident involved someone who had never been part of their group before.

“They set us up,” one veteran said. “That guy hadn’t been out here before and hasn’t been back since.”

Among the most vocal golfers is Tee Taylor, a retired News 6 photographer and veteran, who helped rally support for the group.

“It’s disrespectful,” Taylor said. “Most of us are in our 70s and 80s. We grew up under signs telling us where we could and couldn’t go. This feels like another reminder. It’s about our integrity. Remove the signs.”

Now, the men have relocated to Barnett Park — but the group says the spot is too busy and they constantly have to stop because of people passing by.

For now, the city of Orlando has not indicated any plans to remove the signs or reinstate the group’s access. The veterans say they’re holding out hope for a compromise — or at least, some answers.