College golf event wipes scores after this brutal pin position caused havoc
By Matt Chivers
Every now and then, a certain green or pin position can cause even the most talented golfers serious problems at prestigious events.
But this was taken to the extreme at the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship, played earlier this week at Mission Inn and Resort’s El Campeon Course in Florida.
Play was suspended on Thursday during the third round because the pin position on the par-4 6th hole was deemed unplayable.
And if you see the video below, you can understand why.
Many players saw their putts roll up to the hole, then tumble back to virtually the same position from where they hit – balls even rolled off the green in some instances.
Course staff reportedly watered the green to reduce the severity of the slope, but the NCAA decided to revert the tournament to 54 holes and wipe the scores of the third round.
The majority of the 151-player field had completed the third round, which was partly called off with bad weather in the area too.
“Throughout Round 3 on Thursday, and despite efforts to improve conditions, it became apparent that the pin placement on hole 6 – was unplayable,” the committee said to Golf Channel.
“After play was suspended due to lightning late Thursday afternoon, the committee analysed numerous different options on how to complete the tournament in the time allotted.”
A cut was made using the 36-hole scores, meaning 14 teams were eliminated from the competition.
George Fox University went on to win the event by five shots from Washington University-St. Louis, while Washington’s Annie Mascot claimed the individual title.
One team’s coach reported the coaches were generally undecided if the NCAA made the right call to wipe the third round, and another described just how severe the conditions were.
“They should’ve known not to put (the hole) there. They just said they were sorry and they felt bad,” one coach said. “I saw two of the birdies. One would’ve gone 25 yards off the green if it didn’t go in.”
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
