LIV golfer Harold Varner III removed from Indiana course for playing in sixsome

LIV golfer Harold Varner III is dealing with scrutiny from an Indiana golf course after reportedly being asked to leave the course Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Varner is in Indianapolis competing at LIV’s final event of the year at The Club at Chatham Hills, but earlier this week he had a tee time at Bear Slide Golf Club, one of the top public courses in the area and about a 15-minute drive from this week’s LIV event north of the city.

Bear Slide took to Facebook after social media posts earlier in the week pointed to Varner and his group being kicked off the course. The post states Varner had a foursome booked but showed up 30 minutes late and had six total golfers.

The course states it accommodated Varner’s group but told them they had to play in two threesomes.

“At the first tee, they insisted that they should be allowed to play as a 6-some. The starter informed them again that is not allowed,” the Facebook post continued. “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 6-some. The starter said no, but that they could ask the pro shop if they would like. Mr. Varner asked the pro shop 3 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.”

Varner’s groups then began play as two threesomes and continued that way until the fourth hole, when they joined up on a hole away from the clubhouse. Staff at Bear Slide watched this, and when they finished putting on the hole informed them they needed to return their carts to the clubhouse and were no longer welcome on the course.

The group all received refunds. The Facebook post states there was a group on the fourth tee as well as the third hole and two on the second hole when Varner’s group was removed.

“Perhaps this group felt like they should get special privileges because of who they are and the organization they belong to,” the post concluded. “But we believe that everyone should be treated fairly and should follow the same rules, regardless of your playing ability or connections.

“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!”

Varner is T-16 heading into the final round of LIV Golf Indianapolis.

Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LIV golfer Harold Varner III removed from Indiana course for playing in sixsome