Phones banned from Royal Birkdale golf tournament

I was in a comedy club the other night. Sat close to the stage (rookie error I know) but off to one side my fiancee made it through the gig without any heckling. That was until someone’s mobile went off behind us. Naturally we were then got for the rest of the evening – thanks.

And it’s not only comedians that aren’t that big a fan. Birkdale golf course hates them too it seems.

The Liverpool Echo has reported that:

Sophisticated airport-style security systems have been installed at the Open golf tournament to stop spectators taking mobile phones into Royal Birkdale.

More than 600 mobiles were confiscated at the gates yesterday, the first official practice day at the Southport venue.

The R & A’s assistant director (Championships) Johnnie Cole-Hamilton said: “The message we need to get across is that it’s easier to leave your mobile at home.

“The spectator experience is very important to us and we don’t want the ban to impact on queuing or the high level of service we offer our spectators.”

The use of mobiles on course became an issue after the 2006 Open at Hoylake when a number of golfers complained.