The Thunderbirds and PGA TOUR announced that Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM), the largest environmental services provider in North America, will be the sole title sponsor of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the new name for the FBR Open, beginning with the 2010 tournament.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open will be a major platform for showcasing Waste Management’s Think Green® solutions. Waste Management, known for its leadership in collection, transportation, disposal and recycling, also provides waste solutions like practical and sustainable renewable energy alternatives, comprehensive sustainability evaluations and new technologies to recover the resource in waste. The tournament is a way to showcase these solutions, which help customers and communities reduce waste while reducing cost and creating positive change for the environment. Waste Management will start implementing these services at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and increase recycling and waste reduction over time.
The PGA TOUR and The Thunderbirds, a prominent Phoenix civic organization and hosts of the Open since 1939, reached the agreement for a six-year partnership with Waste Management, Inc., after a 10-month search for a new title sponsor. Financial terms of the agreement will not be released.
Waste Management replaces FBR, which will continue to be a significant corporate sponsor and supporter of the event.
Besides the name change and the world-wide recognition that Waste Management will receive as the title sponsor, Waste Management will also be the primary advertiser on GOLF CHANNEL’s broadcast of the event, which will be distributed to more than 200 countries and 500 million households throughout the world. Waste Management also will receive significant exposure throughout TPC Scottsdale, whose Stadium Course serves as the host of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America.
The tournament host Thunderbirds have raised more than $65.9 million for charities, with more than $37.9 million generated since FBR became the tournament’s first title sponsor in 2004. The 2010 edition, to be played February 22-28, will mark the 75th playing of the event, making it one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR (not including the major championships). For more information, visit fbropen.com or wmphoenixopen.com.