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Payne: Arnie badges, yes; cell phones, still no

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta National chairman Billy Payne gave his State of the Masters address Wednesday, touching on such topics as video review, cellphone usage and limiting participation at the Par 3 Contest.

Here are some of the highlights from his news conference:

• Every patron who enters Augusta National on Thursday will receive a commemorative badge honoring Arnold Palmer, stamped with the words, “I am a member of Arnie’s Army.”

• Payne said that the course doesn’t have some of its usual vibrant colors because of a mild winter that caused some of the flowers to bloom three weeks early.