Marc Dull got the trophy, while Jeff Golden got a police report (FSGA photo)
Update: Jeff Golden has given a more lengthy account of the incident in a TwitLonger post
here.
PLACIDA, FL (May 20, 2018) - A week ago, Marc Dull won the Florida Mid-Amateur Championship, defeating Jeff Golden in the final match. Golden had a 2-up lead at the turn, but when Dull birdied the 16th the match was all-square.
The Florida State Golf Association, in its report, described what happened next, as follows:
"With the players on 17, play was halted by heavy rains. When conditions permitted play to continue nearly two and a half hours later, Golden was unable to continue due to an unfortunate injury and defaulted the match."
Related: Marc Dull wins Florida Mid-Amateur, beats three past Winners
No other details were given, only unanswered questions. What was this "unfortunate injury" that Golden sustained?
And why were the police called?
The Golf Channel set to find out. According to the police report that they were able to obtain, there was an altercation in the parking lot during the rain delay that stemmed from a ruling that occurred earlier in the match on the 9th hole.
Or was there?
Ryan Lavner from the Golf Channel takes it from here:
>>
Read the Golf Channel report
So what really happened? Was this an entirely concocted story by Golden, or was he in fact assaulted?
What were the "breaches of etiquette by his opponents" that were bothering Golden before the ruling on the 9th hole?
Why did Hibbs feel he needed to leave the match rather than continue caddying for his friend who was trying to win the championship?
Why would the FSGA conclude that, after waiting out the entire two hour rain delay, and with a chance to get the biggest win of his amateur career, that Golden simply didn't want to play any more, that he was "just ready to go"?
To be fair, the FSGA was really put in a bind by this, and they did what golf associations are supposed to do--apply the Rules of Golf. Beyond that it is all speculation, although it sure sounds like the FSGA (for now) is siding with their Player of the Year and against Golden.
Who do you believe?
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Florida Mid-Amateur
36 holes of stroke play determine a 32-player match
play bracket. Must be age 25 or older and be a
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