Waste Management Phoenix Open ‘Green Out’ raises $100,000 for three non-profit environmental organizations

The Waste Management Phoenix Open’s sixth annual GREEN OUT raised $100,000 for three non-profit environmental organizations. For every person who wore green to the tournament on Saturday, The Thunderbirds will donate $33,333 each to Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s “Change the Course,” Arizona Recycling Coalition and the Arizona Chapter of Solid Waste Association of North America (AZ SWANA). 

According to the Waste Management Phoenix Open’s ‘Green Squad,’ nearly half of Saturday’s record-breaking crowd of 201,003 fans and most PGA TOUR pros donned green gear.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open has taken sustainability to the next level and has redefined what “green” means on the PGA TOUR. Waste Management has won the PGA TOUR’s “Best Title Sponsor Integration” award three out of the last five years (2011, 2013 and 2015). In 2015, more than 560,000 golf fans attended the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the tournament diverted 100% of tournament waste from landfills for the third straight year. Zero Waste means nothing from the tournament has gone to a landfill in three years – not a single cup, can, sign or container.

Waste Management and The Thunderbirds began the GREEN OUT in 2011 as a way for fans to honor and support the sustainability initiatives of the tournament and title sponsor Waste Management. In 2015, the GREEN OUT raised $75,000 for three environmental non-profits organizations ($25,000 each).  

The 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, known as “The Greatest Show on Grass”, was held at TPC Scottsdale from February 1-7, 2016. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. The 2016 edition marks the 81st playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the seventh as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. Last year The Thunderbirds raised a record $9.06 million for charity and have eclipsed $102 million in charitable giving since its inception.

For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, call the Thunderbirds office at 602.870.0163 or visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.