While competing for the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournamet Championship, Grant Whybark and Seth Doran were set to compete on a playoff hole for the conference championship and the right to participate in the NAIA National Championship.
As it turns out, with Whybark's University of St. Francis entire squard earning an automatic bid in the national tournament for winning the team conference championship, Whybark decided to bail on the playoff hole and purposely hit his tee shot 40 yards out of bounds. Whybark finished with a double bogey and Doran made par for the Championship.
Check out an interview with Whybark and Doran and see Whybark's explanation of why he did it....
What! You have got to be kidding me!
In my opinion, Whybark should be ashamed of himself. Yes, it was a noble gesture and maybe the two golfers truly are great pals, but competing for a conference championship and giving it away on purpose because you felt bad for your opponent is cowardly and against the rules of competition.
Does Wal-Mart feel bad when it comes to small-town America and shuts the doors of mom and pop shops that have been part of rural communities for 50 plus years?
The answer is no.
Anybody that plays college athletics at any level whether its NCAA Division 1, Division 3, and yes, even NAIA, is mature enough and should have the pride, discipline, and respect for their sport, their hard work, and themselves to compete 100% at all times.
Yes, it can be difficult playing against great friends, but athletes have done it for years. Look at the relationship that Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas once had in the late 80's when Showtime met the Bad Boys. Those guys loved each other, except when it was time to step on the court, and then it was war. It was war because they had pride, respect, and the honor to give it their best at all times.
Yes, it was a tremendous gesture by Whybark and it will make a great movie if Doran hits a lucky streak and wins the National Championship.
But what if Whybark and Doran square off for the National Title? Will one of the golfers attempt to let the other win? Will they try to hand each other the trophy? Or will they actually compete and give themselves the opportunity that they both deserve because of all of their hard work, grit, and determination and give themselves to chance to accomplish a feat that very few get too.
A chance to win a Conference Championship is rare. Whybard should feel guilty he gave one away. Doran, if truly an athlete, should feel guilty that it was handed to him.
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