Players Excited About Not Having To Be Annoyed By Cell Phone Cameras

Monty was even funny when talking about it.

Amazingly, the R&A still seems to be pandering to fans by begging for understanding, even after last year's debacle.

Those travelling to The Open this week are asked to leave their mobile phones at home. Searches will be conducted at the gates, and free storage for mobiles will be provided on site. The decision was made after concerns were raised by many top golfers and an R&A spokesman has said "we are confident as we can be that spectators will not be inconvenienced too much." 

Comments

[Chuck]

Yes, the cellphone spectacle(s) at the last Open or two have been outrageous.
The R and A is overdue in addressing it.
On the other hand, getting in and out of the venue, in a (lovley but tiny backwater) town like Carnoustie, with all of the Open traffic, must be a nightmare. For which one might easily need a cellphone.
Seems like a very civilized, practical soultion for gentlemen golfers; leave the cellphones at the gate, then call for the chopper to wing you back to Gleneagles for cocktails and smoked salmon...
I actually think the US response (I remember the last Ryder Cup at OHCC, post 9/11 -- metal detectors, no cellphones, no cellphone sotrage, etc.) is the one that is slightly overboard.

[Liberace]

About time, I say. Can we please return to old-fashioned heckling.

[Smolmania]

If Monty could only have that kind of self-deprecating wit all of the time, he truly could be an extraordinarily likeable guy. He's smart, funny, says what's on his mind, but then when things go bad. . . he's got the biggest set of rabbit ears on the planet and woe be to the person he feels has disturbed him.