SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. -- Two Sun City West residents were arrested Thursday after an altercation at the R.H. Johnson tennis courts, authorities said.

A Maricopa County sheriff's deputy was called to the courts when an incident involving several tennis players escalated after the players refused to leave the courts at an employee's request, said Katy O'Grady, of Recreation Centers of Sun City West.

George Morell, 85, was taken into custody for hindering prosecution and trespassing. Raymond Moore, 82, was also taken into custody.

“I’m really appalled by what occurred," said Morell.

The incident began when an employee asked to see one of the player's recreation cards, O'Grady said. Sun City West facilities are closed to non-residents. The player had previously refused to show his card to the employee, O'Grady said.

Morell said he had been using a photocopied version of his card because it was more convenient. He said he didn’t understand why it was such a big deal.

O’Grady said it’s a well known rule that Sun City West residents need to present their recreation cards to use the community’s facilities.

“At some point, you have to enforce the rules. We tried over three different notifications to this person that he had to have his real (recreation) card. It's a private community and you've got to have some control over who's using the facilities,” said O’Grady.

The men became verbally abusive and physically confrontational, so employees called the sheriff's office, O'Grady said.

"We have to watch out for the safety of our employees and our residents," said General Manager Mike Whiting. "Physical assaults are not tolerated on our property."

“They called the police -- over a card. They called the police over this little card," said Moore.

Both men were hauled off the tennis court in handcuffs and taken down to the Fourth Avenue Jail, according to court records.

“The part I'm sad about is that I now have a criminal record. I've never been arrested in my life. I sort of resent that," said Morell.

Moore said while they are upset about the incident, their trip to the Fourth Avenue Jail did have its lighter moments.

“All the kids in the cells we were in -- they started calling (us) "Big Pop" and "Little Pop." They really had a ball with us. They thought this was the dumbest story they ever heard,” said Moore.

The recreation center's governing board said it will be reviewing the matter to determine what, if any, action will be taken against the members. They could have their privileges suspended, according to O’Grady.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.