From Jack Nicklaus to national TV: Kate Wynja drawing widespread acclaim

Brian Haenchen | Argus Leader

From a shoutout from The Golden Bear to a nationally-televised interview, these past few days have been a whirlwind for Kate Wynja. The Sioux Falls Christian senior made headlines at the Class A state meet earlier this week when she self-reported a scorecard violation that cost her individual medalist honors and SFC the team title.

“I knew I needed to tell them,” Wynja said Tuesday night. “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.”

ORIGINAL STORY: 'I knew I needed to tell them': S.F. Christian golfer's self-reported violation costs her title

Wynja's story quickly went viral. ESPN, Sports Illustrated, the PGA, Golf Week, SB Nation (#ArgusHerald), all picked up her story, as did Boomer Esiason, who shared it during a CBS Sports Minute. Friday morning, Wynja joined the Golf Channel's "Morning Drive" for an interview and has also made the local radio/TV rounds.

Twitter has also been buzzing with tweets pouring in from around the country.

Winning is important, but it isn't everything. Way to do the right thing, Kate. DM us, we'd love to have you out to one of our games next year! — Harlem Globetrotters (@Globies) June 6, 2018

Love the integrity of golf.



High school golfer self-reports violation, loses state title https://t.co/BbLQJPbBVZ — Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) June 6, 2018

The integrity of this young lady is incredible. Thanks for modeling the way for all of us to follow, Kate! https://t.co/mfpxE07Y2L via @argusleader — Paul Ten Haken (@paultenhaken) June 6, 2018

Congrats to @KateWynja, who didn't win a championship, but taught everyone a lesson about integrity. Hey @espn, Kate should get an Espy! — Kent Sterling (@KentSterling) June 6, 2018

Quite a few public figures have tweeted their praise of Wynja, but the person who weighed in Thursday is by far the coolest and most noteworthy.

I love the uniquely special characteristics of the game of golf. Even when it is sometimes tough love. Congrats to this young lady for using golf as a vehicle to teach us all life lessons on honesty & integrity! ⁦@TheFirstTee⁩ ⁦@wearegolf⁩ https://t.co/63IISyBdrC — Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) June 7, 2018

Yeah, it's a pretty big deal when Jack Nicklaus, one of the best there ever was, tweets about you.

Wynja told Morning Drive that she "freaked out" when she saw the tweet and immediately called her dad to tell him the news.

"I was just so excited," she said. "It was crazy."

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.