Wyndham Championship to allow cell phones

[Will Spivey]

Just posted at Golf Digest:  http://bit.ly/cQryoP

This will be interesting.  The Wyndham (or as I still call it, the GGO) has done most things right over the last couple of years.  The tournament comes at a tough time on the calendar, and the weather in NC during August certainly isn't ideal.  The move to Sedgefield from Forest Oaks has been a home run.  So, given the recent "good moves" I find this decision interesting.  It will, no doubt, be popular with the majority of the fans and very unpopular with the players.

Mark Brazil, the tournament director, said they are "kind of the guinea pig tournament."  I wonder if this was a decision driven by the Tour or if Mark is trying to make tournament more "fan friendly."  The tournament is lobbying hard for a better position on the tour calendar.

[John Moore II]

As long as everyone keeps it on silent, I am fine with this. Throw anyone out whose phone rings during the event. But if its on silent, its a fine idea. Pictures from the event, instant updates on Twitter, all kinds of cool stuff. I think in general, people have developed better manners with cell phones in the past several years.

[Tim Gavrich]

There are already dozens of people outside the ropes who are allowed to have cell phones at tournaments anyway (friends/family of players, media, etc.), so I don't think this is going to be a big issue as long as there are signs at every turn reminding spectators to silence their phones.

I'm just not sure I'm convinced this will bring more spectators to the event, and that's really the only possible reason for doing this that I can think of.

[John Ronalter]

If they actually enforced the cell phone rule in the first place then this would be a big deal.  Smuggling a phone into an event is way too easy now.  Smaller phones fit nicely into shoes and volunteers or other workers that an individual might know are normally quite happy to smuggle them in for you, especially since they are carrying their own phones.

It's nice to see they are trying this out and I'll be interested to see if there are any incidents.

[Doug Siebert]

Smuggle them in?  Are they patting people down as they enter a typical PGA event now?  I've been to the John Deere Classic a couple times (not in the last couple years) and I've always brought my cell phone in with me (in my pocket, on silent)  I saw the signs but its pretty obvious that they don't want it ringing or you to be jabbering away behind the ropes while a player is trying to hit a shot, etc. so I didn't figure it was a big deal.  I'm sure I'm not the only one.

So I guess this means it'll be more "out in the open" so you can send texts or whatever while at the tournament without worrying that a marshal will see your phone and give you the boot.  But other than that I fail to see what difference it will make, there are probably thousands of cell phones on silent in tournaments today, unless the others are patting people down.  If they are, THAT would cause me to turn around and go back to my car and never come back, whatever excuse they try to give for wanting to pat me down!

[Tim_Cronin]

So much for the Wyndham replacing The Masters some day!

[Ben Voelker]

As long as everyone keeps it on silent, I am fine with this. Throw anyone out whose phone rings during the event. But if its on silent, its a fine idea. Pictures from the event, instant updates on Twitter, all kinds of cool stuff. I think in general, people have developed better manners with cell phones in the past several years.

Does the silent feature silence that annoying, fake shutter sound that cell phone cameras seem to make?

[PCCraig]

While it's a huge pain to not bring a cell phone to events, it's needed as it only takes a couple screwballs with a goofy loud ringtone during a players swing to ruin it for everyone.

Also, what defines a correct time and place to talk on the cell phone? People can be very loud on the street, train, bus, or gym with tons of people around as well...

[John Ronalter]

At the Travelers Championship they use handheld metal detecters, generally around the pocket area, which allows for some creativity...

[Steve Strasheim]

Personally, I wish there were more "no cell phone" zones. I don't appreciate the 24-7 connected world as much as some.

So, this is a bad development in my view.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Tim
It might not bring spectators, but it sure does expand exposure - for the event, players and charities.

Steve
What are you doing on a 24-7 connected forum where you can learn from your friends around the globe?
Maybe Ran and Ben will get the GCA app in the apple store soon....

Cheers

[Matt_Ward]

Bad idea big time.

Is it just remotely possible that people can go without their cel phones for even a short time.

My God -- it's akin to taking away the toy of a three-year-old.

The same people pushing for the golf course inclusion are also pushing for such items on planes.

Once you add cel phones the police mentality needed to keep things from getting out of hand will simply be overwhelming.

Let's not forget that so many people already feel "entitled" to do what they want -- when they want.

[Mike Benham]

A poor job of marketing, should have announced the decision concurrent with new sponsorship from ATT, Sprint or Verizon ...

[mike_malone]

 I had a blast jumping all over some guy using his cellphone at the ATT a few weeks ago. He thought I was going to assault him so he timidly turned it off and skulked away to nods of approval from all around me. Wow! I felt powerful there for a few seconds.

[John Moore II]

As long as everyone keeps it on silent, I am fine with this. Throw anyone out whose phone rings during the event. But if its on silent, its a fine idea. Pictures from the event, instant updates on Twitter, all kinds of cool stuff. I think in general, people have developed better manners with cell phones in the past several years.

Does the silent feature silence that annoying, fake shutter sound that cell phone cameras seem to make?

On mine it does silence the shutter. Either on vibrate or silent. I am pretty sure that is the case for other phones.

[Marty Bonnar]

At The Open this year, they employed a number of security staff with handheld scanners doing absolutely everyone entering the tournament. Even on practice days.
Must have been a logistical nightmare, but the R&A like to set a standard and stick to it, BY GOD!

FBD.

[Pete_Pittock]

Fans friendly. You can be in the stands around the 18th hole and be rewarded with $100 or more, for hole(s)-in-one. $250K to player, &750K to event charities. Each day. Up to three a day.