HONDA CLASSIC TO ALLOW FANS TO USE MOBILE DEVICES TO ENHANCE FAN EXPERIENCE
The Honda Classic, which will be held February 28-March 6 at PGA National Resort & Spa, will allow fans to carry and use mobile devices for the first time in 2011 as part of a new initiative aimed at enhancing the fan experience by giving them instant access to leaderboards and tournament information.
Fans will be allowed to use their cell phones to make calls only at designated areas of the facility, primarily concession stand areas. Fans will be allowed to receive and send text messages and check data on the golf course. Photos using mobile devices will be allowed Monday-Wednesday only. No video recording is permitted at any time during the week.
"We're pleased to work with the PGA TOUR on this groundbreaking initiative," Honda Classic Tournament Director Ed McEnroe said. "Our focus from day one has been to continue enhancing the on-site experience for our patrons year after year.
"Now we not only are allowing spectators to stay connected with the outside world while on tournament grounds, but also will provide fans with a better connection to the tournament competition through the use of applications, live scoring, live player updates, video highlights and more."
The Honda Classic has invested several months of planning to implement the new initiative. A massive effort will be made the make sure everyone attending the tournament is informed on the guidelines for mobile device use.
Each car in both the general and preferred parking lots will receive a flyer explaining the cell phone policy. Each bus bringing fans to the course will have a general information video loop. Prior to entering the course, greeters and security personnel will have spectators show that their phones are turned to the silent mode.
The Mobile Device Policy will be posted on signs at the Main Entrance and throughout the golf course and will be communicated on scoreboards and within the daily pairing sheets. There will be designated Cell Phone Zones clearly marked around the course. The tournament will have a special Task Force that will roam the golf course during the tournament with a heavy focus on marquee pairings and leader groups. Marshalls will have debriefing sessions at the end of each day to discuss issues or make adjustments in the enforcement of the policies.
Major violators of the policies will have their cell phones collected by security.
"We understand that mobile devices have become a part of everyday life," said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR chief of operations. "There is a balance we are looking to achieve between maintaining the integrity of the competition and allowing spectators to utilize their mobile devices in various capacities. We anticipate our fans will be respectful of the policy."
In August of 2010, The Wyndham Championship conducted the first mobile device test, allowing spectators to carry devices on the golf course with the volume setting on silent or vibrate. Subsequent tests were held at the Frys.com Open and Chevron World Challenge in late 2010 and the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am. Because those tests were successful, the Honda Classic was granted permission by the TOUR to implement the new policy at this year's event.
Guidelines for Mobile Device Policy
What defines a mobile device?
A device that can Send / Receive Calls and/or Send / Receive Data
What scope of usage is acceptable at The Honda Classic?
• Device must be on silent at all times
• Calls may be placed or received in nine designated areas only that will be clearly marked as "CELL PHONE ZONES"
• No audio or video capture is permitted at any time
• No still photography is permitted at any time during competition rounds
• While incoming/outbound calls would be permitted only in designated areas, data use (i.e. texting, e-mail, etc.) will be permitted outside of the designated areas, however, it is not permitted as players are in position to compete (i.e., when quite please paddles are raised)
Violation of Policies
Any violations of this policy may result in removal from the tournament. Initial offenders will be directed to the Cell Phone zones. A second violation of the policy will result in violators having their mobile devices confiscated until their departure.
Last Updated: 2/16/2011 10:33:17 AM / Generated at: 1/30/2012 12:29:24 PM