NAIA Apologizes for Incorrect Pin Placement Disrupting Women's Golf Championship in Michigan

The NAIA Women's Golf National Championship at Eagle Crest Golf Club was marred by an extremely difficult pin placement on the par-5 fifth hole, causing chaos as 90 out of 156 players scored double bogey or worse and only three made birdie. Videos of players repeatedly putting and watching their balls roll back down the slope went viral, drawing widespread criticism and comparisons to past controversies in women's collegiate golf. Coaches and players endured lengthy delays, with some waiting over an hour to play the hole, and the round was eventually suspended due to darkness. The NAIA issued a public apology, admitting the hole was placed in an incorrect and unplayable position and promising immediate steps to prevent such incidents in the future. This debacle echoed a similar event in 2023 when the NCAA canceled a round due to an unplayable hole setup at another women's championship. The incident reignited discussion about course setup fairness and the importance of safeguarding the student-athlete experience.