Golf: Troon Police Get Tough on Mobile Phones

The dearest wish of many a golf club secretary looks like being granted here this week, with the police indicating that they will intervene to prevent mobile phones being used on the links.

Phones must be switched off and cameras are banned but, although the rules are clearly displayed around the course, people still infringe, much to the annoyance of players and marshals.

This week the penalty for a sneaky chat may be more severe. Anyone answering with the words "I'm on the course" may find his collar being felt as Strathclyde police intend to "offer advice" to anyone using a phone on the course.

"We are here to make sure that everyone has a good time and gets in and away from the course safely but we will also be ensuring that all local laws and rules are enforced," said the chief superintendent John Corrigan.

"Golf has its own rules and we will be enforcing them. Our officers will be asking people not to use their telephones and offering advice on the subject if it looks as if they need it."

Golfers have not been slow to offer their own advice in the past, with Colin Montgomerie notorious for his outbursts against photographers and spectators, complaining on one occasion about noise caused by carrier bags flapping in the wind.

In competition an unwanted ring tone can be a serious business and some players prepare for such events. Members of the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team practised for last month's event at Formby with team-mates phones going off "unexpectedly" in the background, in case it happened on the day.

More than 200 Strathclyde officers will be on duty at the Open, policing crowds of up to 40,000 a day. Planning for the event began in March last year and Corrigan is confident that most contingencies have been covered.

They include traffic - police have asked for patience in the inevitable delays - the threat of international terrorism, and on-course security.

In addition to his own bodyguards Tiger Woods will have protection from uniformed officers on Thursday. "We will provide extra assistance to those players who have the attention that comes with superstar status," said Corrigan. "Perhaps that's what the players aspire to now, to have a couple of uniformed officers alongside them."