Augusta hangs up on idea of smart phones at Masters

Augusta National chairman Billy Payne walks away after talking with Phil Mickelson of the U.S. on the practice range during Wednesday practice rounds for the 2017 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, U.S., April 5, 2017. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Augusta National welcomed its first black member in 1990 and opened its doors to women in 2012 but smartphones will never be allowed on the property as long as Billy Payne is in charge, the club chairman said on Wednesday.

Over the decades the staid home of the U.S. Masters has embraced change as enthusiastically as most Americans welcome higher taxes and has drawn a line in the sand trap when it comes to mobile phones and other electronic devices.