It’s Open Season

Time for the Greatest Show on Grass

Hole #16, one of the most famous par 3s on the PGA TOUR, the 16th at the TPC Scottsdale is a true coliseum.
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2011 Tournament Champion Mark Wilson will return to defend his title after an exciting 2011 tournament playoff victory over Jason Dufner. 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. At the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, look for Wilson to be joined by other top PGA TOUR stars such as Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan and many others.

So, what’s new for the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open? For the first time in tournament history, cell phones and other PDA’s will be allowed into the tournament. There are, however, a few restrictions; devices must be set on silent mode at ALL times while on tournament grounds and devices may be used for calls only in designated areas, which will be marked by signage. Designated cell phone areas on tournament grounds include some, but not all, concession stands as well as skyboxes and hospitality tents. Plus, devices cannot be used as a camera or video recorder once play begins on Thursday (2/2/2012).

What else is new for 2012? The ever popular Greenskeeper Tent at the Waste Management Phoenix Open is moving lakeside for the 2012 tournament. Now situated in the heart of the tournament and adjacent to the lake along the 18th fairway and 17th green, the Greenskeeper Tent will still be the place to be and be seen. The 2012 tournament will mark the first time that Greenskeeper patrons will get a view of the golf action. This exciting new and larger location is sure to be a big hit. The additional Greenskeeper II tent located on the hillside overlooking the 18th fairway is also a great place to relax, discuss business or share a few laughs with clients, business associates and friends.

In the spot where the Greenskeeper Tent used to reside, the new Albertson’s Fan Zone will make its debut at the 2012 tournament. This fan-friendly area will feature interactive gaming, food and entertainment. Test your golf skills on the Full Swing golf simulator of the 16th hole and have an opportunity to win daily prizes and the use of a 2012 Mercedes Benz for a year. Checkout the RideNow Power Sports ATV and UTV exhibit and preview the latest from Polaris, Honda, Yamaha and many more. Or, stroll through the Jack Daniels Experience mobile museum. You’ll learn who Mr. Jack Daniel was and how he ended up with the best selling whiskey in the world. You’ll see (and smell) whiskey dripping slowly through charcoal and the new oak barrels used in maturing Tennessee’s finest whiskey. The Jack Daniels Experience is open to all folks, 21 or older, for free tours throughout the tournament.

While the actual Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament will be played Thursday – Sunday (February 2-5), 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 on Monday and Tuesday of tournament week. There are also other special activities that will feature PGA TOUR professionals, including the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day and the CBS Outdoor Special Olympics Open on Tuesday and the ever-popular Silver Pro-Am on Wednesday. On Saturday, February 4th, the tournament is inviting everyone to participate in the second annual GREEN OUT. For every person who wears green on Saturday, February 4th, the tournament host Thunderbirds will donate ‘green’ to Keep Arizona Beautiful – a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, maintaining and enhancing the beauty and environmental quality of Arizona. A Green Squad will be on hand to count all things green.

In the two years 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.

In addition to the tournament’s green/eco-sensitive efforts, the tournament host Thunderbirds are also excellent at raising green for local charities. In fact, The Thunderbirds have raised more than $75 million for charities in tournament history, with more than $48 million generated since 2004.

For more information or tickets to the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit wmphoenixopen.com.