Open security ?

[bladeplayer]

Did anyone else think it looked wrong to see 2 lines of security flanking the last group walking off the 18th tee ?

ok have security but at least be discreet , ive done some of this so i am talking from experience .

Despite the security & the marshals (im Told i didnt see that bit)

(1) Rory had to point out the guy heckling him to authorities himself ?

(2) a young lad can approach him in and ask for an autograph in an area not designated for that purpose , what if the person that got that close was a friend/associate or other of the guy that got ejected ?

It was not long ago commentators we commenting how a piece of rope could control thousands of people

Epic fail by organisers on this im afraid

Thoughts?

 

[gripitripit]

Did anyone else think it looked wrong to see 2 lines of security flanking the last group walking off the 18th tee ?

ok have security but at least be discreet , ive done some of this so i am talking from experience .

Despite the security & the marshals (im Told i didnt see that bit)

(1) Rory had to point out the guy heckling him to authorities himself ?

(2) a young lad can approach him in and ask for an autograph in an area not designated for that purpose , what if the person that got that close was a friend/associate or other of the guy that got ejected ?

Epic fail by organisers on this im afraid

Thoughts?

Major fail. Speaking also as a Security Professional it was bad. Rory also had to point out someone in the back of house area just before he went into the media room. Chap was recording on his phone and he looked well out of place. He should have been spotted.

 

[Alex1975]

Ye I spotted some of this stuff. It did seem a little shabby. I saw Rory pointing out a guy with his driver on one tee, Sergio obviously got some jip (not to loo break but some shouting) and than the stuff mentioned above after the final hole and "get that guy out of here"

I actually thought the whole thing a little unsavory, seemed a little edgy. Rory is well used to it but I am not sure I would want all that after playing golf.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There was also the kid ducking under the ropes after Rory had teed off looking for a fist pump towards the end of the round. OK it was only a youngster but he shouldn't have been able to do it. It didn't look right and seemed to be lacking in some areas but there again, how much is right and how full on do we want it. Yes the guy with the phone was wrong and should have been spotted and arguably it shouldn't have been up to McIlroy to point out the culprit heckling but surely we don't want it to be a "Woods" scenario with armed police around all the time and a full possee of minders around him.

 

[garyinderry]

I was about 100 yards from the tee on the 18th. I thought the security walking up the fairway was complete overkill !

the fairway was lined with barriers. marshals were telling people the hole was closed until we have a winner as it was a playoff hole. in someone jumped the barrier, security could easily have spotted and intercepted them before getting to the players.

I think the security men were loving their moment in the sun! the walk up 18 should have been special with the final two players and caddies. this spoiled it a touch for me!


oh no, I've joined the moaning brigade!

 

[bladeplayer]

Did anyone else think it looked wrong to see 2 lines of security flanking the last group walking off the 18th tee ?

ok have security but at least be discreet , ive done some of this so i am talking from experience .

Epic fail by organisers on this im afraid

Thoughts?

There was also the kid ducking under the ropes after Rory had teed off looking for a fist pump towards the end of the round. OK it was only a youngster but he shouldn't have been able to do it. It didn't look right and seemed to be lacking in some areas but there again, how much is right and how full on do we want it. Yes the guy with the phone was wrong and should have been spotted and arguably it shouldn't have been up to McIlroy to point out the culprit heckling but surely we don't want it to be a "Woods" scenario with armed police around all the time and a full possee of minders around him.

I think you will find we are in agreement Martin , ive done a few of these event security gigs , the boss would tell us dont get them ugly mugs of yours on tv guys , we are the shadows not the stars

 

[Alex1975]

we are the shadows not the stars

Nice way to look at it!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It didn't look right and it's the first time I have seen it like that - I guess with the amount of high profile people there it will always be a target

 

[palindromicbob]

There was also the kid ducking under the ropes after Rory had teed off looking for a fist pump towards the end of the round. OK it was only a youngster but he shouldn't have been able to do it. It didn't look right and seemed to be lacking in some areas but there again, how much is right and how full on do we want it. Yes the guy with the phone was wrong and should have been spotted and arguably it shouldn't have been up to McIlroy to point out the culprit heckling but surely we don't want it to be a "Woods" scenario with armed police around all the time and a full possee of minders around him.

Things like the adults being removed etc are one thing for secuirty, but when it's kids I can't help but ask what were the parents doing.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Mrs H commented on that, it certainly looked a bit OTT

 

[Alex1975]

Things like the adults being removed etc are one thing for secuirty, but when it's kids I can't help but ask what were the parents doing.

Egging them on at a guess....

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Egging them on at a guess....

That would be my guess

 

[bladeplayer]

Egging them on at a guess....

That would be my guess

Most Likely

 

[Fyldewhite]

The marshals are just volunteers and are instructed to call for security if there are problems rather than become confrontational. Some take this to the extreme though and do absolutely no crowd control which they see as spoiling their enjoyment! The young lad running out should have been prevented, probably could have been anticipated if the marshals were being vigilant. It's much harder to deal with hecklers. As for the 18th, as the crowds gather so do the security guys. Looks like overkill but they get to walk down the 18th with the champion. I know I'd be a bit miffed to be stood down after all week. It's always been the same with the marshals, not unusual for a couple of hundred to be inside the ropes down the last.

 

[davidy233]

I've marshalled at one Open - St Andrews in 1995 - I think every marshall in those days was invited to be on the rope when it went down the 18th fairway.

I was late getting there as I was, along with a policeman, helping Rocca's wife get though a packed crowd - she was standing in front of me when he fluffed the chip and then holed the monster putt - magical moment.

 

[jp5]

All those tough guys walking down 18 was complete overkill, not even seen that amount of security for Woods who brings his own heavies! Not to mention they were made a mockery of when a young kid got right up to Rory. Shame that the game has come to this.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Egging them on at a guess....

Yeh - kid is more likely to get autograph or piece of memorabilia than an adult - for the adult to sell on eBay. May be some kids aren't quite the enthusiastic golf fans you might think.

 

[DCB]

However, even the BBC coverage mentioned unsavoury incidents on an adjoining fairway and green (5th) as people rushed to get to the actual hole being played. On a long camera shot of the 18th it was evident that people were just slipping under the ropes after the last group had passed on their way up the fairway.

Think there'll be a review and things will be tighter next year as a result.

 

[DCB]

Yeh - kid is more likely to get autograph or piece of memorabilia than an adult - for the adult to sell on eBay. May be some kids aren't quite the enthusiastic golf fans you might think.

Saw a guy get huckled at St Andrews last time when he was trying to get multiple photos signed by the players....ebay culture at its worst

 

[Slicer30]

Noticed this also - for me the Security Guys seemed to be enjoying the limelight rather than patrolling the ropes.

Even after Rory won and was hugging his mum(I think), one of the marshalls stepped in front of him to shake his hand. 1 minute later the wee chap was asking for an autograph. It looked to me that the marshalls/security got wrapped up in the moment instead of focusing on the task at hand.