#PEOPLESOPEN

Archives for February 2023

SCHEFFLER GOES BACK-TO-BACK AT “THE PEOPLE’S OPEN”

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What a finish in the desert! The 2023 WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison came to an exciting conclusion with thousands of fans who will be fashionably late to their Super Bowl parties. Your 2023 champion is none other than Scottie Scheffler who became the seventh player to successfully defend their WM Phoenix Open title, joining a few golf legends like Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan.

Scheffler capped off his final round with a bogey-free, 6-under 65 to secure his fifth PGA TOUR victory, two shots clear of challenger Nick Taylor. And just for good measure, with the victory at TPC Scottsdale, Scheffler recaptured the world No. 1 ranking.

“I knew going into today it was going to be a tough day,” said Scheffler. “Jon’s [Rahm] playing some of the best golf in the world right now. Nick’s [Taylor] a fantastic player and a proven winner out here. There were some other names on the leaderboard like Jordan [Spieth] and Xander [Schauffele]. There were a lot of guys up there. I knew it was going to take a great round. Nobody was going to give this golf tournament to me. I had to go out and earn it. I was definitely proud of the result.”

On behalf of The Thunderbirds, title sponsor WM and the PGA TOUR, the WM Phoenix Open would like to extend an enormous thank you to our volunteers and, of course, the very best fans in golf. Thank you for an outstanding tournament! We’ll see you next year at “The People’s Open!”

THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES DONATES MORE THAN $2.4 MILLION TO LOCAL VALLEY CHARITIES DURING FALL FUNDING CYCLE

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Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – awarded more than $2.4 million in grants to 60 Valley charities during its 2022 Fall funding cycle. Some of the largest grants were $225,000 to Homeward Bound, $133,000 to Central Arizona Shelter Services Inc, $100,000 to Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, $100,000 to ICAN and a $50,000 grant to Dress for Success Phoenix’s Mobile Career Center.

With the 2022 Fall funding cycle complete, Thunderbirds Charities has now opened its 2023 Spring funding cycle. Information about the Spring funding cycle can be found at www.ThunderbirdsCharities.org.

“This is by far the best part of being a Thunderbird, to give back in a big way to our local communities,” said Dr. Michael Golding, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds. “We are so fortunate to be able to help in any way we can and support our communities in such an impactful way.”

With the help from Thunderbirds Charities, Homeward Bound will be able to facilitate wrap-around services to existing families on Thunderbirds Family Village campus, along with housing navigation services to obtain sustainable housing in the Phoenix metro area. Grant funds will be directed to the shelter component of the program, including the staff, expertise, and momentum needed to respond to the increase in families experiencing homelessness and the critical need for safe shelter as part of a continuum of care. Funds will also support the housing navigation staff, who work with client families to find and secure permanent housing, access available assistance, and provide landlord mediation.

The $133,000 grant to Central Arizona Shelter Services Inc. will renovate the reception and client service areas of their Vista Colina Family Shelter. The “Thunderbirds Charities Family Welcome Center” would incorporate a warm, friendly, and trauma-informed design, creating a safe and inviting space for children and families to take the first step to ending their homelessness.

Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) $100,000 grant will go towards the creation of a Community Health Center.   ACBVI is addressing the healthcare equity needs for their highly vulnerable client population and the surrounding community, by bringing a Community Health Center to their campus.  This will provide an array of services including case management, primary care, behavioral health, care coordination, pharmacy, and substance abuse treatment.

ICAN was awarded $100,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to support their highly impactful and award-winning Positive Youth Development Program, serving youth ages 5-18 years old. This free, year-round out-of-school programming serves vulnerable youth who are under-performing academically and impacts the economic mobility of families by allowing parents and caregivers to work undisrupted. ICAN expanded recently to two, Title I elementary schools in Mesa, increasing the number of youths served by 30%.  The critical youth skills program includes Learning Skills (collaboration, communication), Literacy Skills (STEM), and Life Skills (social-emotional learning). Youth receive nutritious meals, academic support, S.T.E.A.M. activities, structured sports, and recreation.

Dress for Success Phoenix’s Mobile Career Center (MCC) travels throughout Maricopa County to deliver job-readiness training, resources, and services to low-income women and youth who are hindered by transportation and/or geographical barriers. The MCC equips clients with the necessary tools to secure meaningful employment, such as interview apparel, resume and cover letter assistance, and career consultations.  With the $50,000 grant, an addition of a Mobile Teen Workforce Career Center vehicle will deliver crucial professional development resources and services to vulnerable youth.

 

Additional grants awarded from the Fall 2022 cycle:

Act One FoundationField Trip Programs$25,000
Agua Fria Food And Clothing Bank IncEmergency Food Program$30,000
Almost Famous Theatre Company FoundationYouth Programming$5,000
American Red Cross SW StatesSickle Cell Initiative and Minority-focused Blood Drives$20,000
Arizona Burn FoundationH.O.P.E. Services$50,000
Arizona Center For The Blind And Visually ImpairedCommunity Health Center$100,000
Arizona Educational Foundation IncArizona Spelling Bee$25,000
Arizona Outdoor AdventuresOutdoor Kitchen Reno$5,000
Arouet FoundationEconomic Opportunity Center$25,000
Barrow Neurological FoundationWheelchair Accessible Vehicle for Neuro-Rehab Center$50,000
Be A Leader FoundationBe A Leader Pipeline of Postsecondary Access and Success Programs$75,000
Be Kind People Project FoundationAT-RISK YOUTH Programming$50,000
Billys Place IncYouth Grief Support Services$10,000
Bloom365Youth Violence Intervention and Prevention Project (Y-VIPP) School-Based Intervention and Enrollment Specialist$12,500
Bridges Reentry, Inc.Beyond the Gates Mentoring$20,000
Central Arizona Shelter Services IncThunderbirds Charities Family Welcome Center$133,000
Childsplay IncIn-School Performance Program$25,000
College BoundAdopt A Student Program$5,000
Desert Voices Oral Learning CenterSLPs Help Children Achieve Their Language Goals$80,000
Dress For Success PhoenixMobile Teen Workforce Initiative Career Center$50,000
ElaineTransportation Assistance Program$30,000
Esperanca IncChildren’s Oral Health Education Program$35,000
Family Promise-Greater PhoenixA Journey Home$100,000
Feeding MattersArizona Grassroots Outreach, Education, and Support Initiative$40,000
Free Arts For Abused Children Of ArizonaPrograms for Children$12,500
Fresh Start Women’s FoundationFamily Law Support for Women in the Phoenix Metro$100,000
Future For KidsSTEAM Coordinator and Mobile Lab$15,000
G RoadG Road Transportation for After-School Programming$30,000
GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, LLCGiGiFIT Program Growth and Studio Expansion$35,000
Homeward BoundShelter and Community Services$225,000
House Of Refuge IncAdopt a Home$15,000
House Of Refuge Sunnyslope IncCampus Expansion Project$50,000
Hushabye NurseryOpioid Crisis: Direct Patient Care$100,000
ICAN: Positive Programs for YouthPositive Youth Development Program$100,000
Impactone Breast Cancer FoundationHope Box Program$10,000
Live and LearnEconomic Empowerment for Women$25,000
Meals of JoySenior Meals$25,000
Mesa Arts Center FoundationMABEL: The Mobile Arts Based Community Engagement Lab$10,000
Harvest Compassion CenterWest Valley Location$40,000
New Pathways for YouthHolistic Youth Transformation Program$40,000
Open Table, Inc.Preschool Initiative$50,000
Phoenix Conservatory Of MusicCollege Preparatory Program$10,000
Phoenix Performing Arts Center IncArizona Wolf Trap$10,000
Positive Coaching Alliance ArizonaCreating A Positive Sports & Youth Development$50,000
Raising Special KidsNavigation, Coaching Support-4-Families for Children Birth-5 with Disabilities$25,000
Read Better Be BetterAfterschool Literacy Program$30,000
Ronald McDonald House Charities of PhoenixKeeping Families Together Program$30,000
Ryan HouseSponsor-A-Stay for Children & Garden Reno$50,000
Save The Family Foundation Of ArizonaHomeless Families Intervention Project$100,000
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)Cultural Connections Through the Arts$5,000
Sounds AcademyComprehensive Youth Music Program$5,000
Step-Student Expedition Program IncCollege-Prep Program$25,000
Summer Youth Program Fund  SYPF2023 Summer Youth Programming$50,000
The Centers for Habilitation/TCHP.A.S.S. Program (Participation, Accessibility, Socialization, Sports)$10,000
The Opportunity TreeMakerSpace for Youth in Avondale$25,000
Upward FoundationChild Care Center$20,000
Valley Youth TheatreLiteracy and the Arts$10,000
Veterans Furniture CenterHousehold Furniture$35,000
Veterans Heritage ProjectSince You Asked$10,000
Zion InstituteThe Well Mental Health Services$50,000

SATURDAY AT THE 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1676231005429{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Saturday at the WM Phoenix Open – quite literally, there’s just nothing else like it. Some come to TPC Scottsdale to see and be seen. Some to watch the best golf on the planet. Some are first timers who learned the ropes on how to stay outside the ropes. The WM Phoenix Open is “The People’s Open,” and the people were out in droves.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is alone atop the round-three leaderboard after firing a 3-under 68 including a birdie from the rough on the difficult par-4 14th. Scheffler seeks to become the 7th player to successfully defend their Phoenix Open title in the 88-year history of the event.

Some of the best PGA TOUR professionals in the world are waiting in the wings to make sure he doesn’t. Major champion Jon Rahm and Nick Taylor are tied two back at 11-under. Three-time Major champion Jordan Speith and Adam Hadwin are two back at 10-under. Five players are four back at 9-under including Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Jim, Major champion Jason Day and 2019 WM Phoenix Open champion Rickie Fowler.

Thank you to all the fans who came to the WM Phoenix Open wearing green for Saturday’s #GREENOUT to support title sponsor WM and their sustainability initiatives.

Sunday’s final round begins at 8:55 a.m. Want to know when your favorite players are teeing off and who they’re playing with? You’re in luck. Hit the link below to see full pairings.[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2023/wm-phoenix-open/R2023003/tee-times” target=”_blank” fullwidth=”true”]Click Here to See Full Sunday Pairings[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Thursday at the 2023 WM Phoenix Open

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675996520880{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]It was officially opening day at the 2023 WM Phoenix Open on Thursday, where arguably the best field in tournament history began their respective campaigns for the winner’s circle at “The People’s Open.” Unseasonably strong winds were the only thing keeping Thursday’s first round from being a picture-perfect day on the golf course, but the fans in the stands – by the thousands – didn’t seem to mind one bit. Not at all. And while play was suspended at 6:10 due to darkness, and winds impacted early rounds, the 88th playing of the WM Phoenix Open is still anyone’s tournament.

Canadians Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor sit atop the leaderboard after the conclusion of play on Thursday with lots of golf left in the opening round. Xander Schauffele, Jim Herman and Jason Day are just a stroke back at 4-under par (Herman has five holes to play and Day has eight holes left to play) and eight players are tied at 3-under par.

Players who did not finish will resume in position at 7:45 a.m. on Friday. Second-round parings will begin after the conclusion of the first round.

Pairings for Friday’s second round will be the same for Friday’s round with tee times starting at 7:15 a.m. Those who started on No. 1 tee will start on No. 10 tee and vice versa. Click the button below to see the full list of pairings.[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2023/wm-phoenix-open/R2023003/tee-times” target=”_blank” fullwidth=”true”]View Friday Pairings[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675996508968{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today tickets for Friday and Saturday for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open are now completely sold out as the tournament has put a cap on tickets for the two biggest days of tournament week.  General admission tickets for Thursday and Sunday are still available online at www.WMPhoenixOpen.com, but general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are no longer available online or at the gate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

TICKETS FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY OF 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN OFFICIALLY SOLD OUT

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Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today tickets for Friday and Saturday for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open are now completely sold out as the tournament has put a cap on tickets for the two biggest days of tournament week.  General admission tickets for Thursday and Sunday are still available online at www.WMPhoenixOpen.com, but general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are no longer available online or at the gate.

“The fan experience at the WM Phoenix Open is very important to our tournament,” Williams said. “Maintaining exceptional fan-experience quality is at the forefront of our decision making. With the weather forecast, other high-profile events in town and other factors creating record demand, The Thunderbirds feel the best way to preserve the excitement level at the WM Phoenix Open was to cap attendance on our highest traffic days. This is ‘The People’s Open’ for a reason, and we want to keep it that way.”

FIRST TEE OF PHOENIX REPORTER EMILEE SWAGGER

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Throughout my time at the First Tee of Phoenix I have never had an experience like today. I believe that being a Junior On Course Reporter is one of the best opportunities the First Tee offers. Over the course” of the day, I learned so many tips and tricks from sports broadcasters themselves to the mindset of Xander Schauffele being 1 stroke off the lead heading into round 2. This experience in one day has shown me a totally different side of golf. I discovered that not everyone has to become a professional golfer to be working in the golf community. The game of golf is a beautiful sport, but there is more to it than sinking the putt on 18 for the win and today showed me just that.
During my afternoon my fellow course reporter, Andrew Hayslett and I got the chance to take a peek into the Golf Channel set held on Hole 16. After watching the brilliant commentators: Paige Mackenzie, Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee I got to speak with them individually about their journeys to becoming a part of the Golf Channel. “When a person has something to say it is a powerful thing, but if you can find a way to share it in a way that people will understand and listen, well that is as powerful as you can be”, Brandel Chamblee expressed when asked what advice he would give to young, aspiring journalists. I found an astonishing truth in his statement just for the fact that the hardest thing for the younger generation to do is to understand that our voice matters. Paige Mackenzie and Rich Lerner depicted how in life we are given opportunities, and during those uncomfortable moments we have to step outside of our box and say “YES” both exclaimed during their interviews. As I went throughout my day and interviewing other WM staff members I saw a recurring thing- saying “yes” can lead you to being a successful and great human being. The voice of young people is severely underrated, and I would say the Golf Channel commentators helped me learn how to harness my voice and use it to grow.

Although the wind was brutal and conditions worsened throughout the day, I got the chance to debrief with the players as they rolled in off of 9 and 18 greens. Being ranked highest on the leaderboard after round 1, Xander Schauffele spoke about how his mindset had been changed so early in the morning when he forgot to check the weather and was shocked when the first gust of wind hit him on the range. “ My preparation for the day had changed with only an hour left before my tee time, but I don’t anticipate as much wind for tomorrow so we will see”, Schauffele stated when asked if he thinks the wind will have as much of an effect tomorrow. Tony Finau was excited for the late tee times to keep himself warm even though it was windier through his front 9. As Finau reached the end of the front 9 he started to rally it up and finish off the day strong. He explains his hole 16 strategy is “always go for the 1!” as early that day he hit an amazing shot to 1’4” on 16. Obviously that strategy must work! For his second appearance at the Peoples Open, Rory Mcilory finished his day +2, although only hitting 4 out of 14 fairways. Although his day didn’t play out how he wanted, he explained how he kept his head in the game and pulled off some incredible shots.

Today was so much fun and I am so happy I get to come back for day 2 tomorrow.