Golf club incident puts Harold Varner III in the spotlight
July 11, 2025, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Harold Varner III of Aces team in actions during day one of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 11, 2025 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20250711_zaa_a181_109 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox
July 11, 2025, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Harold Varner III of Aces team in actions during day one of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 11, 2025 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20250711_zaa_a181_109 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox
LIV Golf’s Harold Varner III was repeatedly told not to violate Indiana-based Bear Slide Golf Club’s policy. The 36-year-old gave a deaf ear to the club officials and was then removed from the course. However, Varner's account tells a different story.
Varner arrived 30 minutes late with extra players, wanting to play as a sixsome against club policy. Despite refusal, they carried on against the club's interests.
“Our staff watched all 6 tee off and putt out together. After leaving 4 green, the group was informed that they needed to bring their carts back to the parking lot,” read the club’s statement.
BEDMINSTER, NJ - AUGUST 08: Harold Varner III of the LIV Golf League walks off the tee on the 16th hole during the third round of LIV Golf New York on August 8, 2026 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 08 LIV Golf New York EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2608088160541
BEDMINSTER, NJ - AUGUST 08: Harold Varner III of the LIV Golf League walks off the tee on the 16th hole during the third round of LIV Golf New York on August 8, 2026 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire GOLF: AUG 08 LIV Golf New York EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2608088160541
Despite the late arrival, Bear Slide let Varner and his extra players onto the golf course. The six-man group then wanted to tee off as a sixsome, which was against the club’s policies.
The six-man group kept insisting on the starter, and then another employee in the pro shop, but to no avail.
Although the LIV man’s group initially teed off as two threesomes, right after three holes they grouped up. The club wasn't going to let that slide
“They were told that they would be refunded but that they were no longer welcome on the course,” the club added in its Facebook post.
Varner has come under serious scrutiny for his actions. However, the LIV man has refuted the club's claims and narrated his side of the story.
The player's account of the incident
On Sunday afternoon, Harold Varner III posted his side of the story on his Instagram.
As per the LIV man, Bear Slide’s statement “contains several inaccuracies and does not fairly represent what occurred.”
“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,” the player’s statement read, as per Golf Channel.
Varner’s management confirmed that the group intended to play a 3v3 scramble. When refused, they respected the club’s decision.
Despite adhering to the club’s policies, Varner’s group was asked to leave on the accusation that they were trying to combine.
According to Varner's statement, the group left the club peacefully.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar