Mizzou golfers granted eligibility for fifth year after judge approves TRO

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two golfers from the Mizzou women's golf team were granted a temporary restraining order on Friday, allowing them to participate in a fifth year.

Addie Dobson and Melanie Walker filed the motion against the NCAA on Sept. 14, and a hearing is scheduled for 12 p.m. at the Boone County Courthouse before Judge Joshua Devine.

Dobson and Walker are asking Devine to grant them another year of eligibility after the NCAA passed its “five seasons in five years” rule this summer. The rule established a five-year period to practice and compete starting at initial full-time enrollment that went into effect on Aug. 1.

The motion describes Dobson as a graduate student and Walker as an undergraduate student who are both enrolled at the university. Both started competing for MU as freshmen in 2022. Dobson and Walker's lawyers state in the motion that they remain within the five-year eligibility rule. The motion argues the language in the NCAA's eligibility rule implies that students who enrolled before Aug. 1 and are still within five years can compete.

Dobson and Walker appear on the Mizzou official roster that was submitted to the NCAA. They have also been approved for scholarships and NIL deals, and both players have continued to practice with the team.

Dobson and Walker are seeking to be eligible to compete by their next tournament on Sept. 21.

Several athletes, most notably in football and basketball, have made headlines asking for an extra year after the rule went into effect. Defensive lineman Sterling Webb is listed on the school’s football roster after filing a lawsuit in August for the same reason.

A hearing in the golf case is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28.