WM Phoenix Open

Construction for “The People’s Open” is now underway, and The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, have announced several changes and improvements for the upcoming event designed to elevate the overall fan experience. Changes this year include adding another tournament entrance, an all-digital general admission ticketing platform, improved spectator walking areas, and upgraded general admission venues for fans.

“Each and every year, The Thunderbirds review the previous tournament and look for ways to improve,” said 2025 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney. We’ve been working closely with the PGA TOUR, Scottsdale Police and Fire, title sponsor WM and our other valued partners to make impactful changes for 2025.  We are excited to announce these enhancements as the countdown to ‘The People’s Open’ begins.”

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

To help streamline tournament entry and exiting, a new fan entrance will be added on Greenway Hayden Loop, just north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard (located in close proximity to 18 tee). This additional entrance is designed to improve crowd flow, particularly during peak hours on high-attendance days like Friday and Saturday. The Greenway Hayden Loop will be closed to general public vehicle traffic from Frank Lloyd Wright to Princess Drive, further streamlining both the entry and exit process.

“The additional entrance will significantly improve the flow of fans entering and exiting TPC Scottsdale,” Mooney said. “This entrance will provide relief at our main entrance and offer a much shorter walk for those fans in high-demand areas near holes 16, 17 and 18.”

To enhance the flow of foot traffic, several walkways around the course have been expanded. For example, the path beginning near the 17^th fairway and extending to the 11^th hole tee area (between the 16^th hole and 10^th hole) has been doubled in width, providing fans with more space to move easily and comfortably in what is traditionally one of the most popular and high foot-traffic areas of the golf course.  Additionally, several food and alcohol vendors will be strategically relocated to help balance foot traffic around the course.

“We understand the importance of ease and accessibility for our fans to navigate the golf course,” Mooney said. “Expanding these key walkways and repositioning some of our vendors, particularly around high-traffic areas like the 16^th and 10^th holes, will provide fans better access to popular venues and viewing areas.”

OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS

The 2025 WM Phoenix Open will introduce a fully digital ticketing format for all WM Phoenix Open general admission and Coors Light Birds Nest tickets. This digital-only platform will expedite crowd flow at entrances and monitor key metrics to optimize the overall fan experience.

“We are upgrading technology to provide a more seamless experience for our fans who purchase general admission tickets,” Mooney said. “By eliminating physical general admission tickets, good-any-day tickets and tickets sold by third-party partners, we not only improve the buying and scanning process, we also improve our oversight of crowd management.”

FAN EXPERIENCE

Keeping with The Thunderbirds commitment to bettering the overall fan experience each year, two general admission venues will receive added enhancements for the 2025 event.

The Taylor Morrison Fairway House at the 12th hole will be redesigned to provide a more enjoyable and expansive venue for fans. This refreshed layout will create more accessible viewing areas, along with expanded space for upgraded concessions and new fan engagement opportunities.

Meanwhile, enhancements at the Desert Oasis BBQ and Beer Garden, near the 7th hole, will provide fans with elevated views of multiple holes.  Fans can also look forward to enjoying a variety of craft beers and barbecue from Little Miss BBQ, all within an improved, fan-friendly setting.

“With upgrades to the Taylor Morrison Fairway House and Desert Oasis, we are improving two of the more popular spots on the golf course,” Mooney said.  “Fans can look forward to better viewing, upgraded concessions and an increased area to watch ‘The People’s Open.”

The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – announced today seven-time NCAA Football National Champion coach Nick Saban will be the featured guest for the WM Phoenix Open Tee-Off Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 4, on the diamond at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

Tickets are $350 per person or $3,000 for a table of 10 and can be purchased online at https://www.axs.com/festivals/683090.

“The Tee-Off Luncheon is our signature event where we officially kick off Open season and tell our WM Phoenix Open community about what’s in store for the upcoming year,” said Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney. “We are honored to welcome legendary coach Nick Saban to the stage, where he will not only reflect on his extraordinary coaching journey but also share insights from his personal experience playing in last year’s Annexus Pro-Am and Shot at Glory.”

Widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football, Saban has built an illustrious career defined by unmatched success and consistency.  He served as the head football coach at the University of Alabama from 2007 to 2023. He also was head coach of the Miami Dolphins and at three other universities – Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Toledo.  His seven national titles as a head coach are the most in college football history.

Coach Saban’s first national title came when he led the LSU Tigers to the BCS National Championship in 2003. He then coached the Alabama Crimson Tide to BCS and AP national championships in 2009, 2011, 2012, and to College Football Playoff championships in 2015, 2017 and 2020. He became the first coach in college football history to win a national championship with two different Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936. Saban and Bear Bryant are the only coaches to win an SEC championship at two different schools. Saban’s career record as a college head coach is 292–71–1.

As of this year, Saban turned the page from coaching and is now part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew for the 2024 season. He made his first-ever appearance at “The People’s Open” last year in the 2024 Annexus Pro-Am and even participated in the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the iconic 16^th hole.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1697476339819{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]While the 2025 WM Phoenix Open is a little more than 4 months away (122 days to be exact), construction for “The People’s Open” is already underway, starting with the Cove on the 17^th hole.  Construction on the iconic 16^th hole and the rest of the WMPO build is going on now as well.

Here is a video and a few images to wet your whistle while waiting for the 2025 edition of “The People’s Open.”[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsXkdIPwjQE”][mk_gallery images=”36758,36766,36760,36762,36764″ style=”style1″ hover_scenarios=”slow_zoom”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The 2025 Coors Light Birds Nest lineup is opening with a bang as officials confirmed country music superstar Jelly Roll will kick off the popular four-night concert series, which will take place Feb. 5-8 during WM Phoenix Open week.  Jelly Roll will get the party started on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to kick off the Coors Light Birds Nest with special guest Treaty Oak Revival opening the show.

Tickets for Jelly Roll and Treaty Oak Revival are on sale now at CoorsLightBirdsNest.com. Limited tickets still remain for the Luke Bryan and Nate Smith show on Thursday, Feb. 6.  The remaining Coors Light Birds Nest lineup will be announced as more artists are confirmed.

General admission tickets will start at $125. VIP tickets and elevated experiences are available starting at $350 each and provide exclusive access to an enhanced VIP area where guests are treated to complimentary food and drinks and access to a premium viewing area for the shows.  Organizers encourage fans to buy their tickets early as ticket prices will increase as the event draws closer.

“We couldn’t ask for a better artist to kick things off as Jelly Roll makes his debut at this year’s Coors Light Birds Nest,” said WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney. “Jelly Roll is one of the fastest rising stars in music, and his widely popular songs will make for an unforgettable night and set the perfect tone for a great week of music during WM Phoenix Open week.”

Born and raised in Nashville, Jelly Roll has made a name for himself as a versatile artist blending rap, rock, and country music. After gaining underground recognition in the Southern rap scene, Jelly Roll’s career took off when he transitioned into country music, achieving mainstream success with hits like “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor.”

Since 2011, Jelly Roll has released over 20 albums and mixtapes, showcasing his unique ability to fuse genres and connect with listeners through raw and honest storytelling. His debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel (2023), solidified his crossover appeal, topping charts and resonating with a wide audience. Now in his late 30s, Jelly Roll continues to rise, propelled by his genuine message of making “real music for real people with real problems.”

Jelly Roll has achieved significant success in both hip-hop and country music. His 2021 album Ballads of the Broken marked a turning point in his career, with singles like “Save Me” and “Son of a Sinner” earning widespread acclaim. He’s also known for collaborations with artists like Tech N9ne, Struggle Jennings, and Lil Wyte. In addition to topping various music charts, Jelly Roll has received impressive accolades like three CMT Awards in 2023 for his genre-blending sound and powerful live performances.

Treaty Oak Revival is a rising band from West Texas, blending Texas Red Dirt country with the raw energy of southern rock and punk influences. Formed in 2019, the band is made up of Sam Canty (lead singer/acoustic guitar), Lance Vanley (rhythm electric guitar/background vocals), Jeremiah Vanley (lead electric guitar), Andrew Carey (bass), and Cody Holloway (drums). Their unique sound has quickly gained them a following, earning them recognition on the Texas music scene and beyond. Their latest album, Have a Nice Day, has been a massive success, landing on several top album lists and solidifying their place in the country rock genre.

2024 has been a landmark year for Treaty Oak Revival. Not only did they achieve critical success with their new album, but they also announced their debut at the Grand Ole Opry, a significant milestone for any country band. Known for their high-energy performances, Treaty Oak Revival is set to bring their distinctive West Texas sound to the stage, promising to shake things up with their raw and electrifying style​.

The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, have named Matt Mooney the Tournament Chairman for the 2025 edition of “The People’s Open”, which is set to tee it up Feb. 3-9 at TPC Scottsdale.  Additionally, The Thunderbirds announced that Jason Eisenberg has been named Assistant Tournament Chairman for the 2025 event, which will be the 90^th edition of the WM Phoenix Open.  Mooney and Eisenberg took over planning duties immediately following Nick Taylor’s playoff win over Charley Hoffman at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open.

Mooney assumes the role of Tournament Chairman after serving last year as Assistant Tournament Chairman alongside George Thimsen.  He is guiding The Thunderbirds organization in the planning and execution of all facets of the 2025 event, including sponsorship generation and renewals, security and safety, community relations, logistics, development of on-course venues, and overall fan experience enhancement.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the 2025 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman. My fellow Thunderbirds and I have been hard at work for many months planning the next iteration of this great event,” Mooney said. “While we are always proud of the many years of success of the tournament, our driving force continues to be our mission of charitable giving and seeing the impact it has on our community.  We can’t say thank you enough to our great partner and title sponsor WM who we are working closely with as we prepare for the 90th playing of the WM Phoenix Open. It is the collective support of all of our sponsors, the players, fans, and volunteers who truly make this a one-of-a-kind event so special in our community.”[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][mk_image heading_title="2025 Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney" src="https://wmphoenixopen.com/wp-content/uploads/mooney_tc_headshot1.jpeg" image_size="full" align="center"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][mk_image heading_title="2025 Assistant Tournament Chairman Jason Eisenberg" src="https://wmphoenixopen.com/wp-content/uploads/jason-eisenberg2.jpg" image_size="full" align="center"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height="15px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1686682726976{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"]Mooney is the Chief Operating Officer of Parkway, a privately-owned, full service real estate investment firm with more than 20 million SF in assets under management across the United States. He graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi State University, where he received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration, and was as a member of the Men’s Golf Team. He and his wife Anna have three children, Connor (age 14), Kathryn (age 13), and Cullen (age 9), and currently reside in Phoenix. He has been a member of The Thunderbirds since 2016.

As Assistant Tournament Chairman, Eisenberg will work alongside Mooney in all tournament related operations while preparing to assume the Tournament Chairman role for the 2026 WM Phoenix Open.

Eisenberg is President of the Eisenberg Company, a privately held commercial real estate company which specializes in the development and management of Retail and Industrial properties across the western United States. The native Phoenician went to Arcadia High School and graduated from Tulane University in 2004 with a degree in Legal Studies in Business. He and his wife Natalie have three children, Sadie (age 14), Owen (age 12), and Emme (age 9), and currently reside in Phoenix. Eisenberg has been a member of The Thunderbirds since 2017.

The lineup for the 2025 Coors Light Birds Nest is starting to take shape as officials confirmed country music superstar Luke Bryan will perform at the popular four-night concert series, which will take place Feb. 5-8 during WM Phoenix Open week.  Bryan will hit the stage with rising country superstar Nate Smith on Thursday, Feb. 6, the second night of the Coors Light Birds Nest.

Tickets for this Thursday show are on sale now. at CoorsLightBirdsNest.com. The remaining Coors Light Birds Nest lineup will be announced as more artists are confirmed.

General admission tickets will start at $125.  VIP tickets and elevated experiences are available starting at $350 each and provide exclusive access to an enhanced VIP area where guests are treated to complimentary food and drinks and access to a premium viewing area for the shows.  Organizers encourage fans to buy their tickets early as ticket prices will increase as the event draws closer.

“Luke Bryan is one of country music’s biggest stars and is an extremely talented artist and performer,” said 2025 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney.  “We are excited for him to make his debut at the Coors Light Birds Nest and can’t wait to see his set under the lights on night two of our four-night concert series during WM Phoenix Open week.”

One of the most prolific artists in country music history, Bryan has earned more than 50 major music awards, including five Entertainer of the Year titles. Having performed for more than 14 million fans through headline tours and events like “Crash My Playa,” “Luke Bryan: VEGAS,” and “Farm Tour,” Bryan continues to captivate audiences. Luke’s latest single, “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” is available now, and his “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” launched on June 13.   This will be Bryan’s first performance at the Coors Light Birds Nest.

Nate Smith has accumulated more than 1.6 billion career streams, scored two No. 1 records (“Whiskey on You” and “World on Fire”), three Top 5, garnered multiple gold and platinum records, sold-out shows across the US and received numerous nominations for best new artist from the ACM Awards, CMT Awards, iHeart Radio Awards and so many more.  Most recently, Smith received the award for ACM New Male Artist of the Year, Billboard’s Rookie of the Year and Amazon’s Breakthrough Artist for 2024.  Smith released his Through The Smoke EP in April and is currently on Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time 2024 Tour.