Waste Management Phoenix Open
- Hannah Dollarhide
- Sep 10, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 31, 2020
“The Greatest Show on Grass.”
“The People's Open.”
On a fine, fresh late January through early February day, people throughout the Valley and across the nation come together to enjoy the spectacle that is golf. Famously claimed “The Greatest Show on Grass,” the Waste Management Phoenix Open (WPMO) is a six-day PGA tour event that brings out some of the greatest golfers to the North Scottsdale region (1). Located at TPC Scottsdale, this golf tournament has one of the largest spectator attendances at about 500,000 people annually (1). It has been hosted here since 1987 and is one of the first events on the PGA Tour’s calendar (1). Put on by a prominent charity organization called the Phoenix Thunderbirds, the Waste Management Open typically generates millions of dollars in donations (1). It is personally one of my favorite events to attend, with my dad when I was younger and now something I enjoy going to with my friends.
With the Waste Management corporation as the main sponsor for the tournament, it is no wonder that they want it to not only be referred to as the “Greatest Show on Grass,” but also the “Greenest Show on Grass” (2). There are several sustainability efforts that come into play during the WMPO. One of these is a “Zero Waste Challenge,” which includes only supplying recycle cans and compost bins, no trash cans (2). It also includes 60% of reused signage from 2014, 30,000 lbs of unused food to be donated, and vendor requirement to support and accept the zero-waste policy (2). The hospitality tent is completely solar-powered since 2011 with light towers and compactors placed around the course (2). To learn more about the WMPO’s sustainability efforts click here.
TPC Scottsdale is approximately a 35-minute drive from Arizona State’s Tempe Campus (Google Maps). There are several different options for getting to the golf tournament. If you decide to drive yourself, there is free parking in Lot H. From there, a free shuttle service will be running form 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday (3). Free parking is also available at West World (Lot W) Wednesday – Saturday with free shuttle service 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. (3). If ride-sharing is more your style or a car is unavailable, Uber and Lyft have their own designated drop-off and pick-up locations around the golf course. Keep in mind during the time of the event there will be surcharges in place, but sometimes discount codes also come into play. There is also a taxi area, a Stop-N-Drop location if you have a designated driver, and the Valley Metro Route 170 bus option as well (3). Yet another transportation option is the WMPO Party Bus options for those 21 and up. With various locations throughout the Valley, these shuttles have just shuttle options or a shuttle and WMPO combo (3). Here are the venues:
Sandbar Desert Ridge: $12.50 for a one-way shuttle ride
The Montauk: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
El Hefe Scottsdale: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
El Hefe Tempe: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
Beverly on Main: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
The Porch Arcadia: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
Bottled Blonde: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
Whiskey Row Gilbert: $35 for shuttle ride; $70 for a combo
(3)
How much are tickets you ask? Well, the average college student will be happy to learn that Monday and Tuesday have free general admission provided by Fords Free Days (4)! A single-day general admission ticket Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday is $45 and is $60 on Friday and Saturday (4). The gates open at 7 a.m. throughout the tournament (5). The listed “must-have” items for your viewing pleasure are sunscreen, hats, comfortable walking shoes and binoculars (5). I definitely advise bringing a hat because I make that mistake every year thinking I only need sunglasses. You can also bring in foldable chairs as long as it is without the chair bag (5). Make sure you check the bag policy every year as it is subject to change, but this past year small solid clutch or crossbody purses were allowed and clear large bags were also allowed.
Things to Do
Dress up! On Saturday especially you will see young folk in their collegiate years dressing to impress. It is always fun to sport your favorite sundress, romper or jumpsuit to the WMPO, or, from a male standpoint, that fun, loud polo, and khakis or bright shorts. I advise you, though, from personal experience, be wary of wearing heels. I wore a pair of wedges one year and it was very difficult to walk over the grassy hills. I advise a pair of sandals or comfortable sneakers.
See your favorite golfers: Each year the WMPO gets some of the top professional golfers to play in this PGA stop. If you are a fan of Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth, follow them around as they hole. You could also take a seat in the grass or wait in line to sit at the 16th hole, commonly referred to as “The Coliseum,” or “the loudest hole in golf” (1). I have enjoyed watching the players come through here because of the energy from the surrounding crowd.
*For 21+* Check out the Coors Light Birds Nest: Wednesday through Saturday, the Coors Light Birds Nest has four different musical acts perform. This past year the acts were Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Kygo and G-Eazy (6). It is known for its “great party atmosphere, killer entertainment, and beautiful people” (7). For more information click here.
"I enjoy watching the golfers. It is also really cool to attend this one golf event where you can be as loud as you want instead of having to keep silent" Jakob Letcher (ASU student).
"I enjoy getting to observe high-level golfers play in a convenient location" Davis Fryhoff (ASU student).
Comentários