Jack Nicklaus and Mark Wilson headline 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tee Off Luncheon

Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tee Off Luncheon featuring golf legend and 1964 Phoenix Open Champion Jack Nicklaus and 2011 tournament champion Mark Wilson. Tickets are available through the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce website (www.phoenixchamber.com/wmpo) or 602495.2182 for $100 each or $1000 for a table of 10. The Luncheon begins at noon on Tuesday, December 13 at The Phoenician Resort (Grand Ballroom).

The annual Tee Off Luncheon officially kicks off “Open Season” in Phoenix. This year’s Luncheon will celebrate the 77th anniversary of the Phoenix Open and the history of the tournament host Thunderbirds. In addition to hearing from golf legend Jack Nicklaus and defending tournament champion Mark Wilson, 2012 Tournament Chairman Alex Clark will announce a few tournament changes aimed at enhancing the fan experience.

No name is more synonymous with greatness in the sport of golf than the name Jack Nicklaus, and no single person has changed the face of the sport more than Jack Nicklaus – the player, the designer, the philanthropist, and the good-will ambassador. Jack, 70, has been named “Golfer of the Century” or “Golfer of the Millennium” by almost every major golf publication in the world. He was also named Individual Male Athlete of the Century by Sports Illustrated, and one of the 10 Greatest Athletes of the Century by ESPN. Winner of the 1964 Phoenix Open held at Phoenix Country Club, Nicklaus played in five Phoenix Opens (1962-65 and 1986) and has four top-10 finishes.

Defending Waste Management Phoenix Open Champion Mark Wilson is coming off the best year of his professional career having won two times in 2011 and claiming four top-10 finishes. He finished 19th on the 2011 PGA TOUR money list with $3,158,477 in earnings and is one of only six players to post multiple victories on TOUR this past season.

The 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, known as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” will be held at the TPC Scottsdale from January 30th to February 5th, 2012. 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 2012 edition will mark the 77th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the third as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.