Golf tends to be a sport built on tradition, and the 2011 U.S. Open is following that tradition. In case you were attending the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md from June 16-19, you should know that you will not be allowed to bring in your cellphone. Here's the full list of banned items:
Many of these items are ones no sporting event would ever let you bring in. Cellphones, though, are debatable. Some golf tournaments prohibit them, but others allow them. It seems crazy, but it's true.
So what do you do with your cellphone? Jeremy Binkles of TBD looked into this, and reports that there will be a metal detector set up in the parking lot outside the course. Cellphones will be confiscated and held there, and anyone driving can also just leave it in their car. But if you're taking the metro, it becomes trickier. So tricky that you're actually being encouraged to just leave it at home.
A representative who spoke to TBD strongly encouraged those spectators to leave their cell phones home. It's a remarkable request for anyone living in 2011, but it's true. Ask them for yourself: 1-800-698-0661. That's the main ticket line.
It seems crazy, I know. But those are the rules.