James calls for ban on booze European captain wants alcohol banned from golf events Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday September 28, 1999 01:08 AM   James said it was up to all the players to get the tournament etiquette back on track at the 2001 Ryder Cup at Belfry. AP LONDON (AP) -- Losing Ryder Cup captain Mark James arrived back in London late Monday calling for an alcohol ban at major golf events in a bid to curtail abuse aimed at players from the galleries. The European captain said the tone of crowd heckling reached a new low as the U.S. staged a thrilling comeback to win 14 1/2-13 1/2 at Brookline. Although, he admitted it would be difficult to implement an alcohol ban at a corporate event like the Ryder Cup. The British media focus Monday was on the controversial American celebrations on the 17th green after Justin Leonard holed the 45-foot putt that capped the greatest comeback in Cup history. But James preferred to dwell on the crowd behavior Sunday, rating it worse than the notorious Kiawah Island Ryder Cup in the U.S. eight years ago. "It's time to sit down and think about what we can do about verbal abuse on the golf course. We're not blaming the result on that," he said. "You expect excitement. In Kiawah in 1991 it was `War on the Shore' stuff. It was very partisan and there was a lot of cheering. That wasn't very nice but it reached a whole new level this week with personal insults. "None of us think it has any place within the game. We want golf to be kept absolutely clean and we're going to have to think what to do about it." Colin Montgomerie was a target for abuse, but while he European No. 1 says he thrives on it, his father opted to leave the course rather than listen to the comments directed at the Scot. James said it was up to all the players to get the tournament etiquette back on track at the 2001 Ryder Cup at Belfry. "It seems odd we keep having to do it in Europe," he said of the better relations between both teams at Belfry in '93. "It seems [the European team is] doing all the work."   Related information Stories U.S. overcomes four-point bulge to reclaim Ryder Cup Sutton shines after 12-year absence Decorum breaks down with Leonard's winning putt CNN/SI's Phil Jones: A silver lining Closer Look: Anatomy of a comeback Ryder Cup Photo Gallery: Sunday Celebration Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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