Royal and Ancient lifts cell phone ban at the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes
In a historic move by the Royal and Ancient, the officials have now announced that they will be lifting the ban on usage of mobile phones at the Open Championship this year.
The ban, which was put in place in the year 2006, is now being lifted in order to provide spectators more access to the ongoing player statistics at the venue.
The event scheduled at the scenic Royal Lytham and St Annes, one of the nine Links courses which host the Open Championship will allow spectators as well as players to carry mobile phones at the venue.
R & A chief executive Peter Dawson explained the recent move by the organizing body of the sport in Great Britain and said:
"There is no denying the attachment people feel to their mobile phones both in terms of gathering information and staying in touch with family and friends. We understand this and allowing their use at the championship will enrich the Open experience. We
understand there will be concerns over this change in policy”.
Dawson also explained the new set of rules which will be applicable on the audience visiting the venue during the championship.
Although, spectators will be allowed to send and receive calls, they will not be allowed to take photographs or record live videos.
Dawson also hoped that the audience are very well educated and there is a slim chance than the rules will be violated from amongst them.
He added, "We are offering spectators access to an enhanced range of Apps for Android, iPhone and iPad that will offer live video of play and other attractions at the Open".
Spectators will be allowed to make calls in designated areas on the course only.
Royal Lytham and St Annes have undergone drastic changes in the layout and the course has now an added length of 200 yards with an all new seventh green.
The course is now 7,086 yards in length as compared to its previous yardage of 6,905. The Open Championship last visited the venue in the year 2001 when David Duval went over to win his only major championship title of his career.
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