No Cellphones at the 2013 U.S. Open?

With practice rounds for the 2013 U.S. Open starting Monday, the United States Golf Association is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to securing Merion Golf Club. 

“There will be metal-detection screening, similar to what you experience at airport security,” said chief John Viola of the Haverford Township Police, whose department is overseeing law-enforcement operations for the tournament.

“This screening process is designed to prevent spectators from bringing prohibited items onto the championship grounds. Our goal is to assure that everyone has a safe and an enjoyable experience at the U.S. Open.”

USGA personnel and Haverford Police will be screening each and every spectator before they're allowed to enter the club. The list of prohibited items, which is printed on the back of each U.S. Open ticket, is below. One in particular might prove to be a problem for many attendees.

• No Cellphones (including cell phones with photographic capabilities)
• No PDAs, Tablets and/or other Portable Email Devices
• No Noise Producing Electronic Devices (including MP3 Players)
• No Cameras and/or Camcorders (other than Monday to Wednesday for personal non-commercial photographic use only and without their cases; video recording is not permitted at any time)
• No Bags larger than 8”W X 8”H X 8”D in their natural state
• No Cases and/or Covers (such as chair or umbrella covers)
• No Signs, Posters and/or Banners
• No Televisions and/or Radios unless provided by the USGA
• No Food and/or Beverages except for medical or infant needs
• No Containers and/or Coolers except for medical or infant needs
• No Pets (other than service animals)
• No Lawn and/or Oversized Chairs (only portable compact chairs permitted)
• No Bicycles
• No Ladders and/or Step-Stools or other similar items
• No Metal-spiked Golf Shoes
• No Weapons (regardless of permit, including but not limited to, firearms or knives). 
• No other items deemed unlawful or dangerous by the USGA and/or Championship Security Personnel in their sole discretion

To stay updated on the 2013 U.S. Open, visit our hub page here.