Known as the “People’s Open,” the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is a unique golf tournament week long event that features the Coors Light Birds Nest, a mini music festival with a party tent with big-name acts. The Phoenix Open runs through Sunday, February 4 and it gets bigger each year, they are anticipating to break last year’s attendance record of 655,434 for the week.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, is the Annexus Pro-Am, which features four players and a pro, including celebrities such as Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, former NFL player Emmitt Smith, Arizona Cardinals players Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson, and former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians.
The PGA Tour pros take to the course Thursday through Sunday. This year, 132 golfers are competing for the $6.9 million purse — 19 of them made the list of top 50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings, including Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler.
What’s new this year:
- At the 17th hole, 650 general admission bleacher seats have been added. Previously, there weren’t any seats for general admission ticket holders. That’s great for fans because “it’s a driveable hole and players on the green can get it in one shot, even though it’s a par-4,” Sugich said.
- Also new at the 17th hole is the Cove for corporate sponsors, with 60 private suites and two lounge areas on each side.
- Nearly 200 new general admission bleacher seats are being added to the 18th tee box amid “spectacular views,” Sugich said.
- Improvements have been made to El Rancho on the 12th hole, and the area has been expanded with a new large bar, more chairs and space.
- At the 7th hole is a new option called the Craft Beer House with specialty beers and food.
- More water and soda stations will be added throughout the grounds.
