12/04/2011
Officials from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration moved swiftly to close down the Augusta National Golf Club on Monday, after reports of a young Irishman choking on the course during the weekend.
After a rapid inspection of the facility Jeff Chuff, Director of the Georgia OSHA declared, "If this was an isolated incident then it's quite likely we'd let it pass. However we're already aware of this location having received several complaints in the past. Gentlemen by the name of Seve Ballesteros, Scott Hoch, Greg Norman and Kenny Perry have all reported breathing difficulties in recent years and so we're left with no choice but to declare The Augusta National a serious choking hazard."
A comprehensive report will be compiled in the coming weeks which is likely to make some compulsory recommendations. These may well include: oxygen masks installed on every tee on the back nine and caddies attending training courses in the Heimlich maneuver. The 2012 Masters is still likely to go ahead.
