Beeping security gates keep patrons in line
Web posted
Tuesday, April 5, 2005
Just inside Augusta National Golf Club's Main Gate Entrance, Atlanta resident Debbie Schmitz waited for her two adult children to pass back through the club's new walk-through metal detectors after both had forgotten to leave their cell phones in the car.
Schmitz said she reminded them of Augusta National's cell phone ban, but Melanie, 21, and Michael, 24, ended up having to leave their phones at a checkstand outside the gates and pick them up when they departed.
"I go everywhere with it," Michael said.
"It's very easy to forget something like that," Melanie said after security guards discovered her cell phone in her purse.
Although Augusta National's cell phone ban is nothing new, the walk-through metal detectors are being used for the first time this year.
With a flurry of beeps and buzzes, patrons passed through detectors designed to make entry more convenient and provide extra security when the gates opened at 8 a.m. Monday.
For added convenience, the Main Gate Entrance has been expanded.
Golf fans haven't seemed to mind the extra security.
"When we went through this morning, it wasn't a problem at all," said Dalton Parker, a 27-year-old from Panama City, Fla., visiting Augusta National for the first time. "There were enough of them so the lines were short."
After the metal detector beeped shrilly as he passed through because of a camera in his pocket, Parker allowed a guard to wave a hand wand over him.
Added security is all part of the experience because the pros are so accessible, he said.
Luckily for him, cameras are permitted during practice rounds. They are prohibited during tournament days.
Tom McBarron, 46, of Toronto, had only good things to say about his first visit to Augusta National.
Plenty of friendly staff members were on hand to help patrons through, he said.
"It was outstanding," McBarron said. "This is like the Disneyland of golf."
Reach Kate Lewis at (706) 823-3215 or kate.lewis@augustachronicle.com.
