Nick Price and Tom Watson are from the old school. Two of the most successful names in the game, two of the most revered.

And in their book, what occurred at Brookline last weekend had no place on a golf course.

Yet, according to Price, unless measures are taken to combat what he describes as golf's growing band of "yobbos and loud-mouths'', there's a real danger the game's once-unblemished image will continue to suffer.

The 42-year-old Zimbabwean, back at Mid Ocean for a third successive year, admits he's concerned by what he sees as a drop in standards of behaviour among galleries.

"I still think when you compare golf to other sports, our heads are above water. But it's not getting any better. Some unusual things are happening,'' he says.

"There are more and more yobbos and loud-mouths in there. It's been going on for a long time, but it's becoming more frequent now. And that's kind of sad.

"Those people who caused the problem at the Ryder Cup, they know who they are, and they should be embarrassed. Not the players -- I think the players ... what happened on number 17 was very spontaneous. It wasn't premeditated.

"But the way that the galleries commented to the European players, I think they kind of forgot they were guests in their country.'' Now living in Florida and playing most of his golf in the US, Price believes it may be time for the PGA of America to beef up security.

"What we probably need is a couple of hundred plain-clothed security officers to be put in the crowd and let them mingle. And soon as someone says something derogatory or out of line, he's out.

"It would only take two or three hours of that happening and the people who do make the noise would start worrying about what they say. That's the only way to do it.

"I think Sam Ryder would have turned in his grave if he'd heard some of the things said to the Europeans last week.'' Watson, captain of the USA's 1993 Ryder Cup team, agreed last week's triumph was a bitter-sweet experience.

"First of all, I just think the United States played sensationally on the last day. It was the biggest come from behind victory ever, something that should be cherished,'' said the Kansas City native.

"But the behaviour of the gallery was indefensible. I don't think anybody in golf should be put through the heckling that Colin Montgomerie had to suffer.

"When somebody yells `miss it' just before he takes the putter back, that's indefensible. And I'm ashamed to say our fans did that.'' But, says Watson, there were mitigating circumstances.

"In defence of the gallery, the slow play tactics, the deliberate slow play by the Europeans may have exacerbated the crowd's anger.'' And barracking, even in golf, was nothing new.

"I've experienced it myself,'' said Watson. "It goes with the territory.

There are always some people pulling against you, then perhaps people who may have bet on you and you fail.. "You just have to be thick-skinned.'' Happy returns: Two-time major winner Nick Price and LPGA Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez renew acquaintances at Mid Ocean Club. Price is back for the third successive year while Lopez returns after a year's absence.