Former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia was requested to depart the Augusta National grounds forward of the Masters for reportedly violating the membership’s “no mobile phone” coverage.
Augusta is famend for its strict set of guidelines and laws which embrace a ban on mobile telephones, iPads and laptops on the grounds. No patron is exempt – not even 1989 Open champion Calcavecchia who, in response to Golfweek, was caught using his phone on Tuesday.
Security officers reportedly eliminated the 65-year-old on Tuesday. Calcavecchia didn’t deny being requested to depart when he was contacted by Golfweek, saying: “I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters.”
Calcavecchia’s most notable achievement got here in 1989 when he received the Open by beating Wayne Grady and Greg Norman in a four-hole play-off at Troon. The three-time PGA Tour winner performed within the Masters 18 occasions between 1987 and 2008 and his finest end was in 1988 when he completed second, one stroke behind Scotland’s Sandy Lyle.
Calcavecchia’s sole main victory on the Open earned him the title of “honorary invitee” to the Masters, however that didn’t cease officers eradicating him from the grounds.
The Masters has banks of courtesy telephones that followers can use whereas on the grounds of Augusta National, however match officers consider a ban on mobile telephones is “part of what makes the Masters such a unique environment”.
The Masters web site clearly states: “Violation of these policies will subject the ticket holder to removal from the grounds and the ticket purchaser to the permanent loss of credentials [tickets].”
Calcavecchia isn’t the one huge identify to expertise the wrath of Masters officers with regards to implementing its strict coverage. Other notable names to have fallen foul of the principles embrace Charlie Rymer, a former tour participant and broadcaster. He was working for an American radio community in 2011, when he had his credentials revoked for stepping exterior the media centre to take a phone name. A tearful apology didn’t assist his trigger.
However, tears did assist the trigger of the sister of US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley. She was additionally caught with a phone in her possession however was given a reprieve. Bradley stated: “They were going to kick her out and she cried, and they let her put her phone in a safe and stay.”
