In a shocking turn of events at the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship, officials have been forced into a public apology after a disastrous hole placement left players grappling with near-impossible conditions. The fifth green at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, Michigan, saw a par five hole positioned on an extreme slope, causing chaos as putts rolled back down the hill, thwarting numerous players’ attempts to score.

Out of 156 participants, a staggering 90 players recorded scores of double bogey or worse, primarily due to the nightmare on the fifth green. The NAIA swiftly acknowledged the blunder, stating in an official release, “We regret to confirm that an unfortunate situation occurred… The hole was mistakenly placed in a difficult location.”

The aftermath of this tournament-opening fiasco has drawn sharp criticism from players and coaches alike, with every hole on day one playing over par. The opening hole, another par five, averaged a shocking 6.87 strokes, a clear sign of the course’s brutal setup. Amidst the turmoil, golf legend Phil Mickelson chimed in humorously on social media, referencing his controversial 2018 US Open moment when he struck a moving ball to prevent it from rolling away. “I have a suggestion,” he quipped, drawing attention to the absurdity of the situation.

As the dust settles, Sharon Shan from SCAD Savannah leads the individual standings, while British Columbia holds a four-stroke lead in the team competition. However, this incident further compounds ongoing issues in women’s college golf, echoing a similar event in 2023 when the NCAA canceled a round due to an unplayable hole.

With a sharp focus on the student-athlete experience, the NAIA vows to prevent such blunders in the future. Yet, the question lingers: how many more missteps will it take before the integrity of the sport is restored?