About the WM Phoenix Open

The Phoenix Open began in 1932, but due to lack of local support, the tournament was discontinued after the 1935 event. The tournament was revived thanks to the energy and vision of one man, Bob Goldwater, Sr.  An avid golfer, Goldwater persuaded his fellow Thunderbirds into running the event, and his influential manner was successful. So, in 1939, Bob Goldwater’s new fledgling golf tournament was the official rebirth of the Phoenix Open.

Goldwater was left with most of the work, because his fellow Thunderbirds were not yet as enthusiastic about the event as he was. Never one to back down from a challenge, Goldwater printed the tickets, sold sponsorships and obtained use of Phoenix Country Club. He even invited a few of his friends to tee it up at the tournament. Those friends just happened to be Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and a golfer by the name of Ben Hogan.

“I loved those early years,” said Goldwater. “I look back on those days with a sense of pride mixed with wonderment.” And, yes, after a few more persuasive talks and the success of the 1939 Phoenix Open, The Thunderbirds came around and lent their full support.

During that 1939 tournament, a 27-year-old up-and-comer named Byron Nelson won the $700 first prize. Hogan finished second, 12 strokes back, and collected $450. Since then, The Thunderbirds have sponsored an Open every year except 1943, when wartime travel restrictions forced a one-year hiatus.

The list of professional golfers who have won in Phoenix reads like the golf Hall of Fame – Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Billy Casper, Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Miller Barber, Johnny Miller, Ben Crenshaw, and more recently Lee Janzen, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Tom Lehman, Mark Calcavecchia, Kenny Perry, Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler, just to name a few.

Over the tournament’s nearly 90-year history, the Open has been known by many names, including the Western Open, the Arizona Open, the Ben Hogan Invitational, the Phoenix Open, the FBR Open and now the WM Phoenix Open. The tournament has been played at Phoenix Country Club, Arizona Country Club and TPC Scottsdale – the home course of the tournament since 1987 – and 2024 will mark the 37th consecutive year the tournament has been played at TPC Scottsdale. Aside from the TPC Sawgrass, TPC Scottsdale has the longest continuous stretch a Tournament Players Club has hosted a PGA TOUR event.

For a closer look at past champions, tournament results as well as Open records and statistics, please visit the statistics and record book section under the Spectator Info tab on the website.

While The Thunderbirds’ association with professional athletes garners the most recognition and publicity, it is their work in the community that brings them the most satisfaction. Millions of dollars of Phoenix Open proceeds have been spent to benefit hundreds of organizations and individuals, most notably, the courageous athletes of the Special Olympics, youngsters of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Scottsdale, Phoenix and East Valley and the affiliated agencies of the Valley of the Sun United Way. As the premier sponsor of the Special Olympics Summer Games, The Thunderbirds are providing an outlet of athletic expression for these challenged competitors. Nowhere will you witness the absolute joy and enthusiasm of a runner as he or she crosses the finish line, not in first place, but in the arms of his or her greeter. This unbridled passion for competition speaks volumes of The Thunderbirds’ commitment to these determined individuals.

One of the early inductees was Bob Goldwater, an avid golfer. Goldwater thought it would be a great idea to sponsor a golf tournament. That first year, Goldwater sold the tickets, recruited volunteers and set up the golf course at the Phoenix Country Club. The Phoenix Open caught on, and is one of the leading stops on the PGA TOUR. Goldwater was Tournament Chairman from 1934 through 1951 and is affectionately called the “Father of The Phoenix Open.” Active Thunderbird membership is limited to 55 members. Each has demonstrated a sincere interest in sports and a dedication to community affairs. All Thunderbird activities and events are the prime responsibility of these Active Thunderbirds and are under the watchful eye of the Big Chief and Thunderbird Council. When a Thunderbird reaches the age of 45, their status changes from Active to that of Life Member. Although they are relieved of continuous duties, it is not unusual to see a Life Thunderbird lending a helping hand at The WM Phoenix Open or one of the many other Thunderbird-sponsored events. To date, there are nearly 350 members comprising The Thunderbirds organization.

Thunderbirds wear large silver pendants suspended on leather thongs, and each year a Bead Committee awards silver beads to those members who have performed their respective duties with quality and efficiency. Thunderbird-sponsored athletes participate in the entire spectrum of sports; but it is in golf that The Thunderbirds have had the most impact. Each year, The Thunderbirds sponsor The Thunderbird Collegiate Invitational. Now in its 37th year, this tournament is considered by many as the “WM Phoenix Open of Collegiate Golf.” It is a proven springboard into the PGA TOUR. Players like Bobby Clampett, Corey Pavin, Dan Forsman, Howard Twitty, Jim Carter, Notah Begay, Phil Mickelson, Steve Jones, Tiger Woods, Tom Purtzer and a host of others have participated in this illustrious event. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the men’s and women¹s golf programs at Arizona State University. Every summer, The Thunderbirds sponsor the Thunderbird Junior and Senior Golf Classics, which form the nucleus of one of the most extensive junior golf programs in the United States. These tournaments have showcased the talents of current PGA TOUR and LPGA stars like Billy Mayfair and Danielle Ammaccapane.

In 1999, The Thunderbirds, in conjunction with the American Junior Golf Association, held the inaugural Thunderbird International Junior at Grayhawk Golf Club. The first event of its kind in junior golf brought together a world-class field of Polo Golf All-Americans and U.S. and International champions of junior golf from throughout the world. This event will annually feature future champions of the golfing world. The Thunderbirds and The WM Phoenix Open form a winning combination whose success is matched only by its longevity.