This Charlotte golfer teed off at THE PLAYERS championship — then everything changed
It was Harold Varner III’s fifth time at THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. When he teed off at the 10th hole at 2:35 p.m. Thursday, he was hoping for a share of the $15 million purse.
But the day was filled with compromises and cancelations – due to coronavirus COVID-19 concerns. At noon, the PGA Tour announced via email to ticket holders, “THE PLAYERS Championship will proceed without fans.” By 10 p.m., PGA Tour changed its mind and canceled THE PLAYERS Championship altogether.
More golf cancelations came Friday: Augusta National Golf Club announced that April’s Masters Tournament will be postponed because of coronavirus concerns, The Charlotte Observer reported. “Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Riley said in a statement.
Varner, 29, hails from Gastonia. His father brought a 5-year-old Varner to the Gastonia Municipal Golf Course to learn to play the game. Varner graduated from East Carolina University, was Conference USA Player of the Year in 2012 and a three-time All-Conference honoree. He won the 2016 Australian PGA Championship. He’s the only head-to-toe Jordan Brand athlete.
CharlotteFive caught up with Varner after he filed his score card with the PGA Tour. He was on his way to putting practice near the TPC Sawgrass. He answered a few questions about Charlotte and the tournament.
(1) What’s it like being part of THE PLAYERS?
It’s pretty cool. It’s an awesome experience, but it’s weird. It’s my fifth one, and I feel like I’m getting old. I played well here once, and I had a catastrophe last year with my clubs. I’ve seen the good and the bad.
(2) What will it be like playing without spectators?
(Varner answered this question hours before the PGA Tour made the decision to cancel THE PLAYERS Championship.)
It’s going to be sad. I find it very weird that everyone is taking action and I really enjoy playing in front of people. I love showing off. I think it’s going to be terrible.
(3) What’s your go-to place to take visiting family and friends in Charlotte?
I’ve probably eaten there a thousand times – Providence Road Sundries. It’s really good; it’s unbelievable.
(4) What kind of support do you get from other athletes?
MJ (Michael Jordan) — he’s been really good to me financially and I’ve asked him everything under the sun. I try to pick his brain every chance I get. That’s what he’s there for. He’s been super nice to do that.
(5) Who makes up your fan base? What do you want them to know?
Everyone. It’s very diverse, to say the least – age and color. I love them. There are two or three right there (he points to a family trying to get his attention).
(6) Are you a fan of any of Charlotte’s sports teams? Do you have any favorite athletes?
The Hornets, the Panthers. I’m a big Cam Newton fan. I’m a big Ron Rivera fan. Obviously things have changed a bit.
(7) Tell us about your foundation, HV3.
We’re trying to raise money to help people get access to golf, specifically, but it’s sports in general. I just want people to have the same opportunity I had.
We’ve pledged $7,000 a year to Youth on Course, which is a program where it’s $5 for kids from 6-18, and they can go to 50 North Carolina and South Carolina. I’m an ambassador for that through our foundation.
(8) When you get off the road, what do you want to do, eat or see in Charlotte?
Hillbilly’s BBQ & Steaks. I like to sleep in my bed. I love being on the lake — Lake Wylie or Lake Norman; it doesn’t matter. We live on Lake Wylie. I have a boat. I love wake surfing. I used to wakeboard as a kid; I fell pretty hard and have not been back on the wakeboard.
(9) What’s one item you always pack when you’re traveling?
It used to be my PlayStation. My fiance is an esthetician, so she got me this stuff for ingrown hairs. I don’t know what it’s called, but it works.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 3:17 PM.
