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Leagues and Governing Bodies

McIlroy Says Limiting Alcohol Sales Could Curb Rowdy Fan Enthusiasm

McIlroy believes golf's traditional etiquette helps encourage older fans to bring their children to Tour eventsGETTY IMAGES

Rory McIlroy during the third round of the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational "felt there were instances of poor behavior that crossed the line" from fans, and wondered if "limiting alcohol sales might help curb some of the loud and abusive behavior he believes is getting worse," according to Bob Harig of ESPN.com. McIlroy said, "Every week, it seems like guys are complaining about it more and more." He added, "It used to be you bring beers on the course but not liquor. And now it seems like everyone's walking around with a cocktail" (ESPN.com, 3/17). McIlroy said that a fan "repeatedly yelled his wife’s name (Erica) during the third round." GOLFCHANNEL.com's Ryan Lavner noted this "isn’t the first time that McIlroy has voiced concerns about fan behavior on Tour." Last month at the Genesis Open in L.A., he said that the rowdy spectators "probably cost Tiger Woods a half-shot a round, and after two days in his featured group he had a splitting headache." McIlroy believes the issue is "part of a larger problem, as more events try to replicate the success of the Waste Management Phoenix Open." McIlroy: "Golf is different than a football game, and there’s etiquette involved and you don’t want people to be put off from bringing their kids when people are shouting stuff out" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 3/18). GOLF.com's Josh Berhow wrote McIlroy has been "one of the most honest and thoughtful voices in the sport" (GOLF.com, 3/18). 

PATHS TO A SOLUTION: GOLF.com's weekly roundtable discussed the fan behavior issue, with Golf magazine's Michael Bamberger noting some of the comments shouted toward Woods yesterday were "embarrassing." Golf magazine's Alan Shipnuck added the PGA Tour "needs to invest in a significant number of trained, full-time marshals *outside* the ropes, to deal with/eject the yahoos." PGA Tour caddie John Wood: "Maybe we could do something like in baseball where they cut off sales after the 7th inning? But I'm not sure that would work in golf, as the fans are still out there for so long." Golf.com's Dylan Dethier: "Have officials with ejection power keep a short leash on the yahoos. But in general, I think this is a problem that is radically overstated. Golf's a spectator sport. It's fun! Rowdiness is a good thing, and there should be people in place to deal with those that cross the next line." Golf.com's Sean Zak: "The Tour needs to up the threat of ejection." Golf magazine's Josh Sens: "If Tour events are going to start policing the galleries more rigidly, they're going to have to lay down some pretty explicit guidelines. What will be allowed, and what won't, and at whose discretion?" (GOLF.com, 3/18). Meanwhile, in Orlando, Mike Bianchi wrote under the header, "Memo To Drunken, Obnoxious Golf Fans: Just Shut Up!" Bianchi: "Turn down the volume on your voices. Turn up your sense of decency and decorum" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 3/17).

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