LIV Golf’s Harold Varner III was asked to leave an Indiana golf course earlier this week after he and five other golfers allegedly violated the club’s rules by playing as a sixsome.
Varner was in Indiana for LIV Golf Indianapolis and had a tee time Tuesday at Bear Slide Golf Club in Cicero. According to a statement posted by the club on social media, Varner had reserved a tee time for four golfers but arrived about 30 minutes late with a group of six.
Bear Slide said it accommodated the group but instructed the golfers to split into two threesomes. The group reportedly asked multiple times if they could play together as a sixsome and was told that groups of that size were not permitted.
According to the club, Varner asked the pro shop three separate times for permission to play as a sixsome and was told no, particularly because other golfers were playing behind them.
The six golfers initially teed off as two separate groups and continued that way through the first three holes. However, Bear Slide said the groups joined together on the fourth hole, a par 3 away from the clubhouse.
One member of the group reportedly told staff they had joined together only to watch the group ahead of them tee off. The club disputed that explanation.
“Our staff watched all 6 tee off and putt out together,” Bear Slide said in its statement.
After the fourth hole, course officials informed the golfers that they needed to leave the property. The club said the golfers were given refunds for their tee time and denied claims that its staff told the group to “Get the hell off the course.”
Bear Slide also said there were multiple groups playing behind Varner’s group at the time, including golfers on the second, third and fourth holes.
The club emphasized that its decision was based on enforcing the same rules for every golfer.
“Perhaps this group felt like they should get special privileges because of who they are and the organization they belong to,” the club said. “But we believe that everyone should be treated fairly and should follow the same rules, regardless of your playing ability or connections.”
Bear Slide did not identify the other golfers in Varner’s group. Varner is a member of LIV Golf’s OKGC team, which was previously known as Smash GC. Other members of the team include Talor Gooch, Jason Kokrak and Graeme McDowell.
Varner joined LIV Golf after playing on the PGA Tour from 2015 through 2022. He won his first LIV Golf individual title at the 2023 LIV Golf Washington, D.C., event.
Varner entered Sunday’s final round of LIV Golf Indianapolis tied for 16th at 9 under par.