The Greatest Show on Grass, a.k.a. the Waste Management Phoenix Open, returns to the TPC Scottsdale, January 31 through February 6, 2011. While huge galleries, great food and tons of networking opportunities are part of what makes the Waste Management Phoenix Open special, it’s the incredible golf that draws the most attention. 2010 Tournament Champion Hunter Mahan will return to defend his exciting one-stroke victory over rising PGA TOUR star Rickie Fowler. Mahan, 28, is coming off one his best seasons as a professional with two victories (WM Phoenix Open and the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational), three top 10s and eight top 25 finishes. At the 2011 Waste Management Phoenix Open, look for Mahan and Fowler to be joined by other top PGA TOUR stars, such as Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, Camilo Villegas and many others.

While the actual Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament will be played Thursday – Sunday (February 3-6), there will still be plenty of things to see and do at the TPC Scottsdale all week long. Many of the PGA TOUR pros will play morning practice rounds leading up to the tournament. There are also other special activities that will feature PGA TOUR professionals, including the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day on Monday, the CBS Outdoor Special Olympics Open on Tuesday, and the ever-popular FBR/Xerox Silver Pro-Am on Wednesday. Also Wednesday, at 3:30 p.m., the TriWest Healthcare Alliance Shot at Glory will take place on the 16th hole and will feature national and local celebrities, sponsors and two lucky fans in one of the coolest closest-to-the-pin contests in the game of golf. On Saturday, February 5th, the tournament is inviting everyone to participate in the first ever GREEN OUT. You too can participate simply by wearing green (shirts, hats, pants, etc.) to the tournament. The Green Out will illustrate to the world the green/eco-sensitive efforts of the tournament.

In fact, in the year since taking over as title sponsor, Waste Management has quickly turned the “Greatest Show on Grass” into the “Greenest Show on Grass” by incorporating a tournament-wide recycling and waste reduction program. 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 will help customers and communities reduce waste while reducing cost and creating positive change for the environment. In future years, Waste Management will continue to implement ways to make the Phoenix Open evolve as the green standard tournament on the PGA TOUR.

In addition to being green on the golf course, the tournament host Thunderbirds are also excellent at raising green for local charities off the golf course. In fact, the tournament hosts have raised more than $70 million for charities in tournament history, with more than $42 million generated since 2004.

Of course, no story about the Waste Management Phoenix Open would be complete without mentioning the ever popular Birds Nest. The Doobie Brothers, O.A.R., Slightly Stoopid and MetalHead headline another strong line-up of national and regional bands at the 2011 Coors Light Birds Nest. Birds Nest gates open each day at 3:30 p.m. with Duck Soup, a Birds Nest fan-favorite, getting the party started Wednesday evening (Feb. 2) beginning at 6 p.m. and will be followed by The Doobie Brothers. The Chadwicks will open for O.A.R. on Thursday evening, while Kelley James will open for Slightly Stoopid on Friday night and Champagne Tap will open for MetalHead on Saturday evening. Also, back again this year and performing nightly is the world’s No. 1 video DJ – Roonie G.

Birds Nest tickets go on sale January 3 through Ticketmaster (800.745.3000, www.ticketmaster.com, and all Ticketmaster outlet locations) and are just $25 for general admission. VIP tickets are also available for $175, which provides exclusive access to the Absolut Vodka VIP area. VIP guests are treated to a complimentary catered dinner provided by Sushi Roku, complimentary drinks and access to a premium viewing area for the show.

The Coors Light Birds Nest is located directly across from the main Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament entrance at 82nd Street and Bell Road. The entertainment venue opens at 3:30 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m., Wednesday, February 2 through Saturday, February 5. Headline acts will take the main stage each evening at approximately 8 p.m. The Coors Light Birds Nest is a 21-and-over venue.

For more information or tickets to the Waste Management Phoenix Open or the Coors Light Birds Nest, visit wmphoenixopen.com.