THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN
RAISES BAR FOR 2019 EVENT
January 28-February 3, 2019
The 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community returns to Scottsdale January 28-February 3 for a week of fun-filled excitement, warm winter weather and world-class golf.
Each year, thousands of visitors come to the Valley of the Sun from all over the globe to see the PGA TOUR’s best tee it up at TPC Scottsdale for their shot at golf glory. The winner will take home nearly $2 million, but it pales in comparison to the extraordinary charitable contributions of The Thunderbirds. As the host, The Thunderbirds raised a record-breaking $12.2 million just last year alone, and an amazing $134 million in its 83-year history.
“Each and every year is special when we make this announcement, but this year is extra special and truly a proud moment for The Thunderbirds,” said 2018 Tournament Chairman Carlos Sugich. “We knew the number would be high, but to reach a new milestone by breaking our own single-year record and in doing so joining only a handful of tournaments in the history of the PGA TOUR to break the $12 million barrier is spectacular.”
As always, The Thunderbirds spare no expense to improve fan experience at the event. This year, El Rancho, the popular venue overlooking the par-3 12th hole, will expand to more than 18,000 square feet giving patrons an incredible place to watch golf on three holes. The 18th hole skyboxes have grown upwards and now include 54 corporate skyboxes within the double-decker construction. Growth at The Cove at the drivable par-4 17th continues in 2019 with increased corporate boxes and new general-admission seating options at 10 green have been added to increase the total number of general admission seating across the golf course to 6,700 public seats.
The WM Phoenix Open will be played Thursday-Sunday (January 31-February 3), but there will still be plenty of things to see and do at TPC Scottsdale all week long. Monday is the Kadima.Ventures Pro-Am where TOUR pros get in their first practice round with local business leaders and fans looking to live out their PGA TOUR fantasies. Tuesday, Jan. 29, will feature the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day activities located across the street at TPC Scottsdale’s Champions Course practice range. The festivities include a junior clinic sponsored by PING, motivational speeches from PGA TOUR professionals and a trick-shot golf show. Additionally, the San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open will take place on Tuesday at TPC Scottsdale’s putting green, showcasing Special Olympian athletes, celebrities, sports stars and business leaders from the community.
Wednesday brings the ever-popular Annexus Pro-Am to TPC Scottsdale where fans can catch a glimpse of celebrities, rock stars, professional athletes, coaches and community leaders playing with the TOUR pros. Fans are encouraged to stick around at the 16th hole for the Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory. Past contestants of this unique closest-to-the-pin contest include Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, country music star Dierks Bentley, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Phelps, John Elway, Jake Owen and Emmitt Smith.
Wednesday is also the first night of the Coors Light Birds Nest, a four-night music fest located inside an enormous tent across the street from the TPC Scottsdale. The Birds Nest, with its great music, beautiful patrons and enthusiastic partying, has earned near legendary status on the PGA TOUR offering a show totally unlike anything associated with professional golf. This year’s star-studded lineup includes Country music stars Old Dominion and Jake Owen on Wednesday and Thursday. Friday features two headlining acts, hip-hop star, Snoop Dogg, and pop duo, The Chainsmokers, and Saturday brings electronic dance music stars Martin Garrix and DJ Vice.
In addition to the incredible attendance, charitable donations and overall economic impact, the 2018 WM Phoenix Open also received the highest international award for sustainability in golf by becoming a GEO Certified event. The event’s title sponsor, Waste Management, is an integral part of the sustainability efforts, and through their combined efforts with The Thunderbirds, achieved zero-waste status for the sixth-straight year. Waste Management diverted 100 percent of all tournament waste away from landfills and into renewable materials and energy, making the WM Phoenix Open the largest verified zero-waste event in the world. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, on Saturday, the tournament invites everyone to participate in the eighth-annual GREEN OUT. For every person who wears green on Saturday, The Thunderbirds will donate “green” to three charities including Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s “Change the Course,” Arizona Recycling Coalition and the Arizona Chapter of Solid Waste Association of North America (AZ SWANA).
With the conclusion of the final round on Super Bowl Sunday, a new champion will be crowned when he hoists the Crystal Thunderbird Trophy on the 18th green.
Whether you’re a golf fanatic, prolific partier or concert connoisseur, the Waste Management Phoenix Open has something for everyone and is definitely the place to be in early February.
2019 WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(subject to change)
MONDAY, JANUARY 28
Practice Rounds for PGA TOUR pros only
9:30 a.m.
Kadima.Ventures Pro-Am,
TPC Stadium Course
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29
Practice Rounds for PGA TOUR pros only
10:00 a.m.
R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation
Dream Day Activities
• Motivational Speeches by PGA TOUR Professionals
• Trick Shot Show
• Junior Golf Clinic Presented by PING
• Located on the TPC Champions Course Practice Range
11:00 a.m.
San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open
Located at the TPC Scottsdale Putting Green, the San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open features Special Olympian athletes, celebrities or sports stars and business leaders from the community. The event is open to all ticket holders and media and lasts about an hour.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
8:30 a.m.
Annexus Pro-Am, TPC Stadium
Course
3:30 p.m.
Phoenix Suns Charities Shot
at Glory, TPC Scottsdale 16th hole
3:30 p.m.
Coors Light Birds Nest
entertainment tent opens
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
7:30 a.m.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
1st round
3:30 p.m.
Coors Light Birds Nest
entertainment tent opens
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
7:30 a.m.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
2nd round
3:30 p.m.
Coors Light Birds Nest
entertainment tent opens
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
9:00 a.m.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
3rd round
3:30 p.m.
Coors Light Birds Nest
entertainment tent opens
ALL DAY GREEN OUT
Everybody is encouraged to wear green to support the green/eco-sensitive efforts
of the tournament
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
9:00 a.m.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
4th round
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4
9:00 a.m.
Ewing Post Open,
TPC Stadium Course
