Last year's event set several attendance records, including a single-day crowd of 216,818 on SaturdayGETTY IMAGES
Waste Management Phoenix Open operator Phoenix Thunderbirds has "decided it will no longer release" attendance figures for the PGA Tour event, which began today, according to John Davis of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Crowd numbers "long have been part" of the tourney's identity. Last year's event "set several attendance records, including a single-day crowd of 216,818" for the third round and an "overall mark of 719,179 fans for the week." Tournament Chair Chance Cozby said, "The only number we really care about is charity." He added, “We understand that we have the biggest event on the PGA Tour. When you look out there, you know the attendance is big. But it’s just something that we don’t want to focus on going forward. We want to focus on charity. That’s what we are all about” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/31).
ONE OF A KIND: Golf Channel's Brian Bateman said the WMPO brings the "most excitement" of any stop on the schedule, as it has the "largest crowds of any week all year on the PGA Tour (and) the loudest fans." Bateman: "This particular week stands alone. You have the largest crowds of any week all year on the PGA, you have the loudest fans and you have the most excitement.” Golf Channel’s Robert Damron: “There's a tunnel you walk through when you leave the 15th green and emerge out on to 16. They'll have a chant for someone in the group, and it's something you really can't prepare yourself for.” Golf Channel’s Chantel McCabe asked several golfers what the experience is like. McCabe: "You hear the noise, but you can hear individual things people are saying. If somebody on that list is taking a jab at you specifically about a high school relationship or something wild, you're going to hear that. It's not just the noise and the intimidation of the size” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 1/31). Golfer Brandt Snedeker said the atmosphere at the hole is "kind of crazy." Snedeker: "You hear it coming down 15 fairway and you’re getting ready for the craziness that’s going to happen the minute you get through this gate. Just pure madness is pretty much what it boils down to. It’s our closest avenue to being in an arena. We never really have this feeling” ("Golf Central," Golf Channel, 1/30).
MOVIN' ON UP: In Phoenix, Brandon Brown notes Waste Management's involvement has "altered the event's culture." Starting with the '13 tournament, Waste Management has "focused on creating 'zero waste' events, meaning 100 percent of the tournament’s waste was diverted through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or creating energy." That is a "major accomplishment considering the WMPO is the most attended PGA Tour event and one of the largest sports gatherings across the country." Leveraging the golf tournament's high profile has "put the company in a position to expand its business," as Waste Management now works with a number of pro sports teams, such as the Astros and D-backs (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/31).
