[Photo: Justiner Casterline]
LIV Golf’s Harold Varner III was asked to leave an Indiana golf course earlier this week after a dispute, according to the course.
The former Australian PGA champion is playing in LIV’s season-finale event at the Club at Chatham Hills outside Indianapolis, but some social-media posts alleged that Varner was part of a group that was kicked off one of the area’s top public courses, Bear Slide Golf Club, earlier in the week. Over the weekend Bear Slide posted its side of the story on its Facebook page, alleging that Varner booked a foursome, showed up 30 minutes late, and attempted to play as a sixsome.
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“We accommodated the additional group and they were informed they could go off as two threesomes. At the first tee, they insisted that they should be allowed to play as a sixsome. The starter informed them again that is not allowed,” the post said. “After asking the starter four more times, one of the group members told the starter that he was being rude and needed to calm down. Another person from the group defended the starter, saying that he wasn’t being rude and was just enforcing the rules.
“Then, Mr Varner again asked the starter if they could play as a sixsome. The starter said no, but that they could ask the pro shop if they would like. Mr Varner asked the pro shop three separate times if they could play with a large group, to which he was informed that is not allowed, especially when there is play behind them.”
According to Bear Slide, the two groups joined at the fourth hole. Though Varner’s party said they were just watching one group tee off, the club maintains that its staff watched all six tee off and putt out together.
After the fourth hole the groups were informed to bring their carts back to the clubhouse. They were no longer welcome on the course and would be receiving refunds. Bear Slide asserted any accusations that no one was behind Varner’s party are “completely untrue”, stating multiple groups were behind them.
“Perhaps this group felt like they should get special privileges because of who they are and the organisation they belong to. But we believe that everyone should be treated fairly and should follow the same rules, regardless of your playing ability or connections,” the post read. “Bear Slide is committed to providing a great experience to everyone who plays our course. We only ask that a few rules are followed. Hopefully this helps clear the air!”
After the post, Varner published his version of the account on social media.
According to a statement posted on his Instagram story, Varner said Bear Slide’s statement includes “inaccuracies”. According to Varner, the group attempted to play a three-on-three scramble, with the first group staying around the green to watch the second play into it. Varner said at no point did the group play as a sixsome, and refuted the club by stating there were no groups behind them.
Varner was never specifically asked to leave, with the message being relayed to the second group. Once Varner was told, the entire party left “respectfully and without issue”.
Varner entered the final round at LIV Golf Indianapolis sitting T-16 and four shots behind the leaders. He is ninth in LIV’s season-long individual rankings.
