Being disqualified because you cheated on purpose is one thing — but being disqualified because you cheated as the result of an honest mistake is a whole different ballgame… or golf game in this instance.
Such was the case for South Dakota senior and all-star golfer Kate Wynja.
After her high school, Sioux Falls Christian, had just won the Class A State Championship last week, Wynja realized that she had made an error that could cost her team everything.
Wynja, who finished first overall two years running AND finished several shots ahead, suddenly noticed that she’d made a mistake on her scorecard. Instead of marking 5 on No.18, she had incorrectly marked 4.
“I knew I needed to tell them,” said Wynja. “It was really sad, mostly because I knew what the result would be. I knew that I would be disqualified, and it broke my heart for the team.”
“But I knew I couldn’t leave without saying something,” added the teen, whose Christ-like integrity outshined her desire for a championship trophy.
Wynja informed her coach of the violation, and together they reported it to the directors of the tournament.