Father of the Phoenix Open

Robert W. “Bob” Goldwater, Sr., The Father of the Phoenix Open, passed away on November 4, 2006. As Arizona golf heroes go, Bob Goldwater is a combination of King Arthur, John Wayne and George Washington all rolled into one. In other words, he has no superiors and no equals.

“Bob Goldwater is the reason the Phoenix Open is what it is today – the largest-attended and one of the most successful golf tournaments in the world,” said Thunderbird Big Chief Mike Haenel. “Throughout the years, the Thunderbirds have raised more than $43 million dollars for Arizona charities from the playing of HIS golf tournament. None of it would be possible if not for his vision and incredible work ethic. This past November, we lost the head of our family and a great guy.”

The Phoenix Open began life as the Arizona Open in 1932, but was discontinued after the 1935 event. In 1939, Mr. Goldwater, a passionate and accomplished golfer, single-handedly revived the tournament.

Upon becoming a Thunderbird, Goldwater suggested to then Big Chief Ken Barton that the group resurrect the discontinued Phoenix Open golf tournament instead of hosting the Fiesta del Sol to produce more revenues. After some argument from the Big Chief and other Thunderbirds, a committee was appointed that included Mr. Goldwater to meet with the Chamber of Commerce and make suggestions on other events the group could host.

“None of us on the Thunderbirds wanted to do anything in the sports line,” said one of the original five Thunderbirds, Milt Sanders, in a 1950 interview. “So we said that when the committee went before the Chamber, we’d agree to anything but a sports event.”

Bob Goldwater was the only Thunderbird who showed up for the meeting with the Chamber. He spoke so aggressively and persuasively for a golf tournament, and with no other Thunderbird present to argue against him, the tournament was approved by the Chamber.

“When he reported back, we were so peeved we made him do all the work,” said Sanders. “He printed the tickets, sold sponsorships and obtained the use of the Phoenix Country Club. Bob also brought in friends like Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan and the tournament succeeded.”

Nelson, in fact, went on to win the 1939 tournament over Hogan by 12 shots and took home $700 of the $3,000 purse and the modern-day Phoenix Open was born. Mr. Goldwater went on to serve as Phoenix Open Golf Tournament Chairman from 1934 through 1951 and served as The Thunderbirds Big Chief (President) in 1943. “I loved those early years,” said Goldwater in a 1984 interview. “I look back on those days with a sense of pride mixed with wonderment. We weren’t necessarily organized, but we always seemed to accomplish whatever was necessary to present a golf tournament.”

Mr. Bob Goldwater, a legend, a friend, a mentor…and the Father of the Phoenix Open.

Did You Know…
Bob Goldwater was a boy golf phenom. At the age of 14, he was runner-up in the 1925 Arizona State Amateur Championship. He would go on to win that title, along with the Southwest Amateur tournament, three times apiece. In 1951, he beat the nation’s number one amateur, Charlie Coe, to capture the Broadmoor Invitational in Colorado Springs. He represented Arizona admirably in the U.S. Amateur. He played in more than 40 Bing Crosby Pro-Ams at Pebble Beach. He founded the state’s top team event pitting Arizona’s best amateurs against their professional counterparts in the Goldwater Cup.

More Goldwater Facts..
Before becoming a Thunderbird, Mr. Goldwater served as the Tournament Chairman and participated in the 1934 Phoenix Pro-Am, a two-man best ball golf tournament won by professional Ky Laffoon and amateur golfer and Bob’s brother Barry Goldwater (Bob Goldwater finished in 4th place in the Pro-Am). One year later, Goldwater again served as the Tournament Chairman of the 1935 Phoenix Open (a 72-hole event won by Ky Laffoon). In his role as Tournament Chairman for those events, Goldwater secured the venue – Phoenix Country Club – invited players and worked with tournament sponsor the 20/30 Club.