Major Champion Kicked out of Augusta National Day Before The Masters

Augusta National Golf Club has a very strong no phone policy the week of the Masters – a policy that goes for all patrons, including former major champions.

"The use of any device for phone calls, emails, text messaging, or to record and/or transmit voice, video or data is strictly prohibited," the Masters says on its website.

One major champion found out on Wednesday that he's not above the rules.

Mark Calcavecchia Removed From Augusta National

Mark Calcavecchia, a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour and the 1989 Open champion was removed from Augusta National Golf Club for using his phone, according to Adam Schupak of Golfweek.

When Schupak attempted to speak with Calcavecchia about the incident, the former major winner promptly hung up after a blunt sentence, but didn't exactly deny that he was kicked off the course.

“I’ve got nothing negative to say about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters, so I think we should literally hang up right now,” he said.

Calcavecchia and champions of the other three major tournaments (U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Open Championship) are exempt for five years into the Masters and become honorary invitees to the tournament for life.

The 65-year-old played in the Masters 18 times during his career between 1987 and 2008 and finished second in 1988.

No Cell Phones, Other Items Allowed at the Masters

The Masters has AT&T as “a champion partner,” the top tier of sponsorship, and the communications company provides banks of phones that patrons can use on the course to make calls.

Items prohibited from the Masters:

• Electronic devices (Cell Phones, Laptops, Tablets, Beepers, Drones and other electronics), including devices capable of transmitting photo/video
• Radios, TVs, Noise and Music-producing devices
• Knives and Weapons of any kind (regardless of permit)
• Flags, Banners and Signs
• Cameras**
• Chairs/Seats with pointed ends, Folding armchairs and Rigid-type chairs
• Strollers
• Food, Beverage and Coolers
• Golf shoes with metal spikes
• Ladders, Periscopes, Tripods, Monopods and Selfie sticks
• Backpacks, Bags and Purses larger than 10” x10” x12” (in its natural state)

The Masters officially tees off on Thursday morning with Haotong Li and John Keefer going off at 7:40 a.m. ET.

Related: Amanda Balionis Puts Rory McIlroy on Notice Before the Masters