Mark Calcavecchia, a 13-time PGA Tour winner and 1989 Open Championship champion, was removed from Augusta National Golf Club on the eve of the Masters after violating the club's strict no-cell-phone policy. The incident occurred on Tuesday, with security officials escorting the 65-year-old off the premises. Calcavecchia, who played in the Masters 18 times between 1987 and 2008, did not deny the incident but declined to comment further, stating, 'I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters.'
The Masters enforces a long-standing ban on personal electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, and laptops, to maintain a traditional atmosphere. The club provides courtesy phones for patrons to use if needed. Violation of this policy results in immediate removal and potential loss of future credentials. Calcavecchia is not the first high-profile figure to face this consequence; former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley previously shared an incident involving his sister, who was caught with a phone but allowed to stay after placing it in a safe.
The Masters, one of golf's most prestigious tournaments, is known for its adherence to tradition. The club's partnership with AT&T provides designated phone banks for patrons, reinforcing the ban on personal devices. While the policy applies to all attendees, including past champions, its enforcement has drawn attention in recent years as technology becomes more ubiquitous.