What was supposed to be a routine casual round ahead of tournament week quickly spiraled into an unexpected controversy for Harold Varner III. After an Indiana public golf course publicly accused the LIV Golf pro and his playing group of violating local rules and escorted them off the property, Varner is now pushing back, claiming the club’s viral narrative is far from what actually happened.
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“The statement posted by Bear Slide contains several inaccuracies and does not fairly represent what occurred,” Varner’s representatives wrote on his Instagram story. “Harold and his team paid to play. Before teeing off, they asked whether they could play a 3v3 scramble. When the starter declined the request, they respected the decision and played at pace as two separate groups of three.
“The first group would complete the hole, watch the second group play into the green, and then proceed to the next hole. At no point did the six golfers combine or play as a sixsome. There were also no groups immediately ahead of or behind them being delayed. At the end of the fourth hole, the starter spoke with the second group and asked everyone to leave because he believed they were attempting to combine.
“Harold’s group was already heading to the next hole, and Harold was never personally approached or asked to leave. Once the message was relayed, the entire group left respectfully and without issue. We are sharing this only to ensure that the facts are represented accurately.”
What did the club say had happened?
The controversy initially ignited when Bear Slide Golf Club posted a detailed statement on Facebook detailing why staff escorted the group off the grounds. According to the club, Varner originally booked a foursome, 30 minutes late for the tee time and as a group of six, and repeatedly requested to play together, instead of two groups of three.
They further claimed that the group then asked to play as a six-some at the first tee. However, the starter reiterated that such an arrangement was not permitted. Despite that, the club claims that the group continued to push the issue, asking the starter four more times. At one point, a member of the group allegedly accused the starter of being rude and told him to calm down.
Another member, however, defended the starter, arguing that he was simply enforcing the club’s rules. The club claims Varner then asked the pro shop three times and was again told it was not allowed, particularly with groups playing behind them. The two threesomes subsequently teed off separately and continued that way through the first three holes.
However, Bear Slide alleges the group joined together on the fourth hole, despite claiming they were only watching the group ahead. The club said staff then asked the group to return their carts and leave the course, offering full refunds. It also claimed that several groups were waiting on the holes behind them.
Bear Slide added that the group may have expected special treatment because of their status. While the club’s statement came before the LIV Golf finale, Harold Varner III’s came ahead of the tournament’s final round on Sunday. Varner III finished tied for 16th after carding rounds of 2-under 68, 4-under 66 and 3-under 67.
Having said that, it appears Harold Varner III is in a he-said, she-said situation. However, only the people involved in the matter are truly aware of what actually happened.