Golf junior DQ'd after his Dad's car gets a puncture en route to club

A junior golfer was disqualified from the Yorkshire Boys Championship at Scarcroft Golf Club after missing his tee time by 15 minutes due to his parents' car getting a puncture on the way to the course.

Charlie Littlewood took to Twitter to reveal what happened, but the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs quickly defended its decision to throw him out of the tournament. 

Appreciate all the support! What a strange way to miss a tee time. Enjoyed being a spectator and watching the lads play. Thanks Mum for trying to get me there on time, avoid the potholes next time Dad #playbytherules

— Charlie Littlewood (@CharlieLittlew4) July 25, 2020

Charlie was gutted at missing what was his last YUGC boys, but we just couldn’t get him there in time. Despite his disappointment, he understood and accepted the situation. We couldn’t be more proud of his attitude and he stayed and supported his fellow players during the day. pic.twitter.com/t3ev0xZQ3O

— Simon Littlewood (@slittlewood1972) July 25, 2020

"We sympathise with the player concerned," read the tweet. "He arrived 15 minutes late. Rules of Golf 5.3/a apply.

"Circumstances NOT considered exceptional include: The player gets lost or his car breaks down or traffic or an accident results in the journey to the course taking longer than expected."

The union added: "We did thoroughly explore all possible options."

As you can imagine, social media had plenty to say about Littlewood's DQ.

BBC Golf's Iain Carter said: "This is not the way to encourage a love of the game. Common sense??"

One golf fan tweeted: "Everything that's wrong with golf. Absolute snobbery. I love the game but hate the people. Such a shame."

Not everyone was against the DQ though, with one user tweeting: "Unfortunately a no win situation for the organisers. Rule far from perfect, however same folk would cry foul if he'd gone on to win the event..."

Another golf fan said: "So, you bend the rules, let this lad play - and he wins the event. How would you feel as the runner-up? Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs do so much for all golfers, particularly juniors, and will have made this call with heavy hearts. But it was the right one in my opinion."

Whilst I understand that getting lost / traffic aren’t justifiable reasons, it seems a bit harsh (and unreasonable) to penalise either a car breakdown or car accident given they are both not within the control of the junior / their parent or guardian.

— The Jazzy Golfer (@thejazzygolfer) July 25, 2020

Everything that's wrong with golf. Absolute snobbery. I love the game but hate the people. Such a shame.

— Daniel (@DanielLevesley) July 25, 2020

This is not the way to encourage a love of the game. Common sense??

— Iain Carter (@iaincartergolf) July 25, 2020

All of us involved in golf admin understand the difficulty for the organisers. BUT these situations are bad PR for golf. Could strong decision-making allow the lad to compete at some point? Most golfers understand “organisers decision is final” thus allowing ad-hoc adjustment ?

— Mile End Golf Club (@MileEndGolfClub) July 25, 2020

No put . Him in a later time common sense . Don’t upset the lad @y

— THE BIG “ T” (@jojune40) July 25, 2020

Gutted for Charlie. Great attitude. Good luck with your future in golf. Disgusting behaviour from @YUGCUK absolutely shameful. You really need to take a look at yourselves. That's embarrassing.

— Mark (@G1MDS) July 25, 2020

So, you bend the rules, let this lad play - and he wins the event. How would you feel as the runner-up? @YUGCUK do so much for all golfers, particularly juniors, and will have made this call with heavy hearts. But it was the right one IMO.

— Chris Stratford (@ChrisJStratford) July 25, 2020

Unfortunately a no win situation for the organisers Rule far from perfect, however same folk would cry foul if he’d gone on to win the event...

— Simon Joyce (@SimonJoyce3) July 25, 2020

To Littlewood's credit, he stayed at the club to support the tournament and his fellow players. 

It would have marked Littlewood's final Yorkshire Union boys' event.