Significant Alterations Prepared for 2025 WM Phoenix Open Golf Event
Significant Alterations Prepared for 2025 WM Phoenix Open Golf Event
The 90th staging of the highly anticipated WM Desert Classic (the 16th iteration with WM as the title sponsor) arranged by the Thunderbirds is scheduled for Feb. 3-9, 2025, at TPC Scottsdale. Internally known as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” and “The People’s Open,” this prestigious tournament will once again include an elite player roster, popular artists, and arguably the best crowds observed on the tour.
The five-time Tournament of the Year recipient received recent accolades for the Best Special Event (Concert in the Coliseum), as well as the best new product (16 hole tee side seats).
132 golfers will commence their rounds, competing for the $9.2 million prize pool, a $1,656,000 first-place prize, and 500 FedExCup points.
Last year, Canadian Nick Taylor secured his fourth PGA title in a two-hole playoff against Charley Hoffman, while defending champion and two-time victor Scottie Scheffler finished in a tie for third.
Weathering the weather
The captivating five-day spectacle of golf and fun disrupted by Mother Nature in 2024. Uncharacteristic weathers such as rain, frost, mud, and congestion adversely affected the popular Wednesday Pro-Am, ultimately leading to its cancellation. Delays plagued each round due to abnormal weather conditions.
However, TPC Scottsdale's massive presence, popularity, and excellent crowd-viewing spots were revealed to have their pitfalls. The course's numerous hills and terraces, designed to enhance the spectator experience, transformed into liabilities when rain caused slippery, muddy slopes, forcing spectators to pack the narrow walkways and create chaotic bottlenecks.
The record-breaking attendance of 719,000 in 2018, with an impressive 200,000 attending Saturday, was further amplified in 2024. While inclement weather may have deterred some fans, the tournament remained overwhelmingly crowded on famously congested "moving day."
Uncontrollable rowdiness among intoxicated spectators led to altercations and unruly behavior. Approximately 50 arrests were made, and ticket sales, along with alcohol service, were suspended as a result. Altercations led some to question the tournament's motto, Respect the game. Respect the players. Respect the fans.
Super Bowl Sunday presented a calmer atmosphere, with fewer spectators and a gradually diminished event reputation. Nonetheless, some professional golfers considered boycotting the following year's event.
The fix is in
The Thunderbirds have taken necessary steps to address the emerging concerns, confident that they cannot control Mother Nature but can manage its consequences.
Recent announcements reveal several significant modifications for 2025 aimed at improving crowd management, entertainment, and overall fan experience.
"Every year, The Thunderbirds evaluate the previous tournament and seek opportunities for improvement," said 2025 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney in a statement. "We've collaborated closely with the PGA TOUR, Scottsdale Police and Fire, title sponsor WM, and our other esteemed partners to implement substantial alterations for 2025. We are excited to unveil these enhancements as the countdown to 'The People's Open' begins."
Key improvements include:
Digital ticketing – The utilization of digital tickets, free of third-party sales.
Specification of attendance days – No longer will "good any day" tickets be offered for purchase. Every ticket must be purchased for a specific day, aiding crowd management.
New entrance – An additional gate will open near the 18 hole, distributing entry across the grounds.
Wider corridors – Course walkways are being expanded by twice their original size to combat logjams, particularly near the 16th hole and behind the 18th.
Limitations on attendee numbers – An attendance cap will be instated on Friday and Saturday, with a precise number yet to be disclosed.
Price increases – General admission tickets for Friday and Saturday will be priced at $125, and tickets for Wednesday, Thursday, or Sunday at $75. Monday and Tuesday will remain complimentary and accessible with a valid Ford membership.
Venue enrichments – More accessible viewing locations, expanded food options, and entertainment at lesser-trafficked locations will motivate spectators to disperse from heavily congested holes.
Coors Light Birds Nest performers announced
Performances at the Coors Light Birds Nest, directly opposite the main tournament entrance, are always a cosmic highlight of the proceedings. The massive 49,000 square-foot tent will play host to four nights of exhilarating entertainment, Feb. 2-5.
Jelly Roll and Treaty Oak Revival commence the festivities on Wednesday, followed by Luke Bryan and Nate Smith, Nickelback and Josh Ross, and Swedish House Mafia, featuring GORDO as headliners on the final concert.
The annual Concert in the Coliseum at the legendary 16 hole takes place Saturday, Feb. 1, boasting headliners Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
Charity reigns supreme
One aspect that remains consistent and should not be disregarded is the substantial charitable impact WM Phoenix Open generates for the local community.
The Thunderbirds declared an astounding $17.5 million collectively gathered during the 2024 tournament, despite the hurdles. This surmounted the $14.5 million from the previous year and even outperformed the $10.5 million from 2022.
Over the 15-year period of WM's sponsorship, the Thunderbirds and the WM Phoenix Open have amassed an impressive total of $142 million. Dating back to the tournament's 89-year existence, an impressive sum of more than $208 million has been donated to local charities.
Initially established in 1937, the Thunderbirds were created with the purpose of promoting the Valley of the Sun via sports. Their membership comprises 55 active individuals under 45 years old and numerous "life" members over 45, who continue to contribute but ultimately pass leadership responsibilities to the younger generation.
Thunderbird Charities serves as the administrator and distributor of fundraising proceeds, particularly from the WM Phoenix Open.
Equilibrium
Undoubtedly, the WM Phoenix Open will preserve its standing as the hub of partying and for some, observing world-class golfers. It remains to be observed how these modifications will impact both the spectator and player experiences.
Some golfers still relish the boisterous environment.
In reference to the infamous 16th hole, Taylor Montgomery voiced his sentiments, "Of course, you need traditional silent tournaments like the Masters and others with history, but for regular PGA events, you want the fans to engage as much as possible. Fans wouldn't attend a golf course or tournament if they had to stay entirely silent. Imagine attending an NBA game and being barred from uttering a word while a player is at the free throw line? Nobody would ever attend such an event."
He continued, "Numerous players don't appreciate it, but they'll eventually adapt to this alteration in the future. I personally enjoy this type of golf - the rowdy atmosphere, fans talking smack, or whatever."
The Thunderbirds aspire to have devised new methods that will strike the right chord between safety, respect, and merriment.
- The Coors Light Birds Nest, a popular attraction during the WM Phoenix Open, will host a series of concerts in 2025. sangers like Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Nickelback, and Swedish House Mafia featuring GORDO are set to perform, while Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will headline the annual Concert in the Coliseum at the 16th hole.
- The Thunderbirds, the organizers of the WM Phoenix Open, are taking steps to improve crowd management and fan experience for the 2025 tournament. Digital ticketing, specific attendance days, a new entrance, wider corridors, an attendance cap, and price increases are among the changes planned to address issues faced in previous years.
- Despite the challenges faced during the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, the event managed to collect a record-breaking $17.5 million for charity through Thunderbird Charities. This surpassed the $14.5 million raised in 2023 and marked a significant milestone in the tournament's 15-year partnership with title sponsor WM.