The Union High golf team suffered a loss.

And the Scotties weren’t even on the links.

The WPIAL ruled in favor of an Ellwood City Lincoln protest against Union stemming from a Sept. 25 match at Rolling Hills.

“One of my kids hit up to the green, but he did not putt the ball in the hole,” Scotties coach Don Bromley said. “The kid from Ellwood told my guy not to worry about it.

“Well, when they turned in their scorecards and Ellwood found out it lost by a stroke, the kid apparently changed his story and wanted to penalize my guy two strokes.”

Attempts to reach Ellwood City coach Sam Barry for comment were unsuccessful.

Following the match, Bromley reported to the News that Union won the Section 5, Division 2 match, 223-224. Ellwood City, however, reported a different score to the Beaver County Times and upon seeing Union’s report, the Wolverines filed a protest with the WPIAL.

“The conclusion is they’re going to disqualify our guy and his score cannot be counted,” Union athletic director Bob Natale Sr. said. “What they’re going to do is take the next Union golfer’s score. They play six and count the top five. They’re just going to throw out the other score.”

Since Stephen Diaz failed to finish the hole with a putt and picked up his ball, his final score of 42 will not be counted. Instead, Brad Palmer’s 50 will be used. That would give Ellwood City a 224-231 win.

Bromley is still not satisfied with the ruling, believing the WPIAL’s rule contradicts general golf rules. He even questioned the WPGA concerning the matter.

“They sent us a letter back and said that if a kid does not putt the ball into the hole then he is disqualified,” Bromley said. “And in turn, the opponent who knew of the situation and did not penalize his opponent is also disqualified.”

If that were the case, Union would still win the match, 231-233.

“It’s a pretty common rule,” Bromley said. “(The WPIAL) is thinking what’s right, but it’s not what the rules of golf really are.”

Union finished 6-8 in section play and 7-9 overall.