The People's Open

- 84th Edition - SET TO TEE IT UP AT TPC SCOTTSDALE JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 3

Celebrating its 84th year, the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community will tee it up at TPC Scottsdale, January 28 – February 3, and will feature a star-studded field comprised of past champions, young guns, perennial contenders, and Major Championship winners. In addition to the PGA TOUR’s best, celebrities, community leaders, and rock stars also will join in the fun making the 2019 tournament the Valley’s must-attend sporting event of the season.

Much like the past two years, more than 18 holes were needed to decide a champion during Sunday’s final Round. Gary Woodland found himself in the winner’s circle after besting Chez Reavie in a sudden-death playoff, tapping in for par and the victory on the first playoff hole. It was Woodland’s third PGA TOUR victory and his first since the 2013 Barracuda Championship.

The 2018 tournament also continued to break charitable donation records, as the host Thunderbirds raised more than $12.2 million, distributed to more than 150 Arizona non-profits through the proceeds from the 2018 event. This marks the largest single amount raised by The Thunderbirds in the 83-year history of the tournament, breaking last year’s record of more than $10.1 million. To add to the crowning accomplishment, the civic organization has now raised more than $134 million for Arizona charities since the first tournament in 1932, with more than $68 million raised since 2010 when Waste Management became the title sponsor.

So what’s new at the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open? Each year, The Thunderbirds strive to improve the tournament in new and exciting ways. This year, El Rancho on 12, the popular Mexican food and tequila venue, gets another makeover that includes an 18,000-square-foot flattened viewing area, perfect for watching golf on the 11th, 12th and 6th holes. Patrons on 18 will notice a brand-new, double-decker skybox venue with 24 additional corporate suites. And a new bleacher area on 10 green shows The Thunderbirds never-ending quest to improve fan experience.

The party doesn’t end with the conclusion of each round, as the Coors Light Birds Nest brings the party across the street to a four-night music concert series. Open Wednesday (1/30) through Saturday (2/2) from 3:30-10 p.m., the 2019 Coors Light Birds Nest will feature some of the nation’s hottest artists. Things kick off on Wednesday with country music stars Midland and Old Dominion. The country music theme continues on Thursday with Jake Owen, Lee Brice and Michael Ray. Friday features two headliners, Snoop Dogg – one of the most iconic hip-hop artists of all time – and the incredibly successful pop duo, The Chainsmokers. And keeping in line with the past few years, Saturday’s finale features electronic dance music superstars, Martin Garrix, DJ Vice and Justin Mylo.

While the actual Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament will be played Thursday-Sunday, there will still be plenty of things to see and do at TPC Scottsdale all week long. Many of the PGA TOUR pros will play morning practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday of tournament week. And thanks to Ford – the official vehicle sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open – all guests receive free admission to the festivities on Monday, Jan. 28, and Tuesday, Jan. 29 as part of Ford Free Days courtesy of Arizona Ford Dealers.

Other notable events during tournament week include the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day and San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open on Tuesday; and the extremely popular Annexus Pro-Am and Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Feb. 2, Waste Management and The Thunderbirds invite everyone to participate in the eighth-annual GREEN OUT, where players and fans are encouraged to wear green to showcase their support for the environment, the community and all that Waste Management is doing to solidify the tournament’s status as not only the greenest event on the PGA TOUR, but also the most charitable. For every person who wears green on Saturday, The Thunderbirds will donate “green” to three local charities.

Waste Management Phoenix Open January 28 - February 3, 2018 info@wmphoenixopen.com WMPhoenixOpen.com

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is not only the most-attended tournament on the PGA TOUR, it is also the largest zero-waste event in the world. That means ZERO tournament waste has entered landfills in the last six years. Instead, 100 percent was recycled, composted or sent to waste-to-energy facilities.

There is a lot of excitement in Scottsdale during the early months of 2019, but none more impactful or fun than “The People’s Open.” For more information or tickets visit www.WMPhoenixOpen.com. AZ

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