Tens of thousands of dollars simply wasted – that's the bitter reality for many players in the LPGA Q-Series, whose second stage was abruptly postponed, leaving them with massive costs and a host of unanswered questions. After just 90 minutes of official practice at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, the tournament, originally scheduled for October 13-16, 2026, was called off and has now been rescheduled for November 3-6, 2026.
For many of the golfers, this means a significant loss: flights, rental cars, accommodation – easily over $3,000 gone. International players, often accompanied by a coach or family, had to shell out up to $9,000, and for one player, the costs even exceeded $10,000. Gigi Stoll, for example, estimated her initial expenses at $8,159, plus another $2,000 after her return when the event was cancelled. Over 175 players have banded together and are now demanding transparency and at least a partial refund of entry fees, which range from $3,500 to $4,500 – and up to $6,500 across all three stages.
Swamp Instead of Fairway: The Panther Course Disaster
It was no secret that the Panther Course was at the center of criticism. The 18 greens had recently been renovated, but since mid-July 2026, over 50 inches (127 centimeters!) of rain had literally drowned the course. An email to the players on October 7, 2026, had already hinted at the problems. Briefly reopened on October 11, 2026, further heavy rainfall caused flooding and ankle-deep mud. Golfers reported that even strongly struck balls simply disappeared in the fairway – no wonder nobody was keen to swing a club there anymore.
The Consolation Prize That Helps No One
Before the players could send their protest letter, the LPGA came forward with an offer: a $1,000 refund. Additionally, there were discounted hotel rates, on-site support like a club repair truck, expanded physio services, and an extra meal for caddies. However, for the affected golfers, this is just a drop in the ocean. The $1,000 doesn't even begin to cover the doubled travel, accommodation, and competition costs. Stoll estimates that the program could cost the LPGA around $200,000, a figure the Tour has not confirmed.
The players' real anger isn't directed at the weather – that's an act of God. It's about planning and communication. They want to know: Why wasn't an alternate venue secured earlier? Was the course even playable before everyone arrived? And how, for crying out loud, were these decisions made? The rescheduled second stage is set to begin again in Venice on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. It remains to be seen if the LPGA will provide more clarity by then.
