AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta National is serious about its no-phones policy, and not even former major champions are immune. According to a new report in Golfweek, Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 Open champion, was escorted from Augusta National by security in a phone-related incident.
Patrons at Augusta National cannot have cell phones anywhere on property, a rule that’s been repeated so often that it’s a key foundational element of the Augusta National culture. In case you haven’t been paying attention to golf the last, oh, nine decades, the Masters also helpfully notes throughout every entryway to the course that phones are not in any way permitted.
Augusta National enforces a strict cell phone policy — as in, they are not allowed anywhere on the course.
Calcavecchia, like most major winners, is invited to Augusta National every year as an “honorary invitee.” He won the 1989 Open Championship and played in 18 Masters, most recently in 2008. His best finish was a solo second in 1988.
“I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now,” Calcavecchia told a reporter for Golfweek, and then proceeded to end the call.
Stories abound of Masters patrons who have run afoul of Augusta National’s cell phone ban. In 2011, a journalist stepped outside the media center to take a call, and was immediately asked to leave. He was fortunate; his ban only lasted the rest of the day. For others, the ban lasts a lifetime.
Calcavecchia almost surely will be allowed to return to the course at some point. But next time, he’ll probably leave the phone in the car.
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