08/21/2026
We’d like to address a recent social media post regarding a professional golfer being asked to leave our course.
On August 18th, Harold Varner III had a foursome booked on the tee sheet. When they arrived, they were 30 minutes late for their tee time and brought 6 total golfers.
We accommodated the additional group and they were informed they could go off as 2 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.
After asking the starter 4 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.
The groups then teed off as 2 threesomes, and continued playing this way on holes 1-3. When they got to the par 3 4th hole, away from the clubhouse, they joined together. One of the members of the group said they were just watching the group in front tee off, which was completely untrue. 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. They were told that they would be refunded but that they were no longer welcome on the course. At no time were they ever told to “Get the hell off the course”. All of them received the refunds.
Regarding the claim that there was nobody behind them, this is again completely untrue. There was a group on the 4th tee waiting on them, another group on hole 3, and another 2 groups on hole 2.
Perhaps this group felt like they should get special privileges because of who they are and the organization 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.
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!
