ALPS TOUR STUB OUT SMOKING BY PLAYERS OR CADDIES

The Alps Tour organising committee has banned smoking or chewing tobacco by players and caddies during any kind of play in its tournaments Dedicated smoking areas will be created near practice areas to avoid seeing players with cigarettes on the practice greens or driving range. "The Alps Tour committee has taken this courageous decision to uphold the reputation of the game of golf and the Alps Tour and to take care of the health of its young members," said a statement. "Golf will be an Olympic sport soon and Alps Tour wants to become a role model. A breach of this rule will be a fine." It is first smoking ban imposed on any professional or amateur golf circuit in the world. The Alps Tour's 2012 schedule began today with the Palmeraie Open at Marrakesh, Morocco.