Construction is currently underway on a significant redesign of one of the most unique venues in golf. When fans return to TPC Scottsdale for the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, one of the world’s largest certified zero-waste sporting events, they will be welcomed by a newly reimagined hospitality experience at the 16th hole
Continue readingWEAR GREEN FOR SATURDAY’S #GREENOUT TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES AND NONPROFITS
Before you head out to “The People’s Open” tomorrow, remember to wear GREEN for Saturday’s #GREENOUT. For every fan, volunteer, service animal and – yes even players and caddies – who wear green, the tournament hosts Thunderbirds and title sponsor WM will donate money to deserving non-profit organizations with a sustainability focus.
Continue reading2022 WM PHOENIX OPEN INJECTS MORE THAN $450 MILLION INTO ARIZONA’S ECONOMY
An economic impact study conducted by Arizona State University’s found the 2022 WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison generated nearly a half billion dollars ($453.7 million) into the state of Arizona’s economy. As part of the total economic impact, the study, commissioned by The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – also reported a total State of Arizona GDP contribution of nearly $280 million ($276.8 million) and an annual employment impact of 4,290 jobs.
Continue reading2022 WM PHOENIX OPEN LOOKS TO BECOME FIRST SIX-TIME “GEO CERTIFIED” TOURNAMENT
the 2022 WM Phoenix Open is played next week at TPC Scottsdale, the tournament will attempt to become the first six-time “GEO Certified®” tournament – the highest international award for sustainability in golf, awarded by Scotland-based GEO Foundation.
Continue readingWaste Management Phoenix Open Renamed WM Phoenix Open
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is now officially the WM Phoenix Open after title sponsor Waste Management rebrands to WM to reflect the company’s focus on continuous innovation and sustainable solutions for the company and its customers.
Continue readingWM Phoenix Open Achieves GEO Certified Status For Record Fifth Year
The GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf has recognized the WM Phoenix Open as the first golf tournament in the world to achieve “GEO Certified® Tournament” status for five years in a row for the event’s leadership in sustainability.
Continue readingMeet the Tournament Chairman – Michael Golding
Each year brings new excitement to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but with last year’s event limited by the coronavirus pandemic, the enthusiasm and anticipation for the 2022 edition of “The People’s Open” is at an all-time high.
Continue readingTickets and Hospitality Packages Now On Sale for 2022 WM Phoenix Open
The Thunderbirds, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, announced today tickets are now on sale for the 2022 tournament, scheduled to be played Feb. 7-13 at TPC Scottsdale.
Continue readingFurlan’s Marine in Gautier, Mississippi Wins $100,000 Through WM Contest at 2021 WM Phoenix Open
Furlan’s Marine in Gautier, Miss. has won $100,000 through “Waste Management’s Million Dollar Shot” contest at the 2021 WM Phoenix Open. Waste Management (WM), title sponsor of the PGA TOUR tournament, tied the excitement of this past Saturday’s 3rd round with a chance for an existing small or medium-sized business customer to win a $1 million-dollar or $100,000 prize.
Continue reading2021 WM Phoenix Open Looks To Become First Five-Time “GEO Certified” Tournament
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 1, 2021) – When the 2021 WM Phoenix Open is played this week at TPC Scottsdale, the tournament will attempt to become the first five-time “GEO Certified®” tournament – the highest international award for sustainability in golf, awarded by Scotland-based GEO Foundation.
To become “GEO Certified” the WM Phoenix Open must complete a custom-built program for golf tournaments, including: document and evidence submission, a third-party verification carried out by the Council for Responsible Sport (the official verification body for GEO Certified Tournaments in North America), a thorough review by GEO, and agree to a range of Continual Improvement Points.
The WM Phoenix Open has been awarded GEO certification following the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 tournaments. Since 2013, Waste Management has taken a zero-waste approach with the tournament, through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or creating energy – with more than 10.06 million pounds of material going to its next best use.
Internationally recognized as the largest verified zero waste event in the world, the tournament hosts, The Thunderbirds are limiting attendance at the 2021 WM Phoenix Open to fewer than 5,000 fans each day (Wednesday through Sunday) due to the pandemic. The tournament will also implement strict COVID safety protocols including the mandatory wearing of masks throughout the entire tournament grounds and thermal screening of every guest upon entry.
Sustainability highlights for the 2021 tournament will include:
- 100 percent diversion through recycling, composting, donation, reuse and waste-to-energy.
- Waste Management and The Thunderbirds implement water conservation measures to ensure water is used responsibly, including the collection of grey water from kitchens as well as the hospitality bars on the 16th hole to be reused in portable toilets to reduce freshwater
- To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the tournament will once again purchase 100 percent renewable electricity from Arizona Public Service and fuel generators with biodiesel. In addition, Waste Management’s trucks used to haul materials from the tournament will be fueled with compressed natural
- The tournament will also offset 100 percent of the tournament’s carbon footprint, including all tournament operations, event management transportation, professional and amateur player travel, vendor travel and volunteer
- WM published a new WM Phoenix Open Sustainability Report website and will share a new virtual sustainability tour during tournament week, with the goal of educating fans about zero waste, water restoration, greenhouse gas management and other sustainability
- WM is providing all PGA TOUR players with gifts that highlight the value of the circular
- The tournament is played at the TPC Scottsdale, which became a GEO Certified course in 2019 due to its outstanding management of on-course wildlife
- In addition to the benefits to the environment, the tournament has an enormous impact on the community as well. The 2020 WM Phoenix Open raised $14 million for local charities and
$170,000 donated to environmental organizations from Green Out Day. 2021 figures are to be determined.
In 2021, WM celebrates its 12th year as title sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open. Over the dozen years, Waste Management has turned the WM Phoenix Open into the most sustainable sporting event on the planet. The 2021 WM Phoenix Open may look and feel different due to the pandemic, however WM’s zero-waste approach continues.
Contacts and Information About Waste Management
Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides collection, transfer, disposal services, and recycling and resource recovery. It is also a leading developer, operator and owner of landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The Company’s customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management, visit www.wm.com.
About The WM Phoenix Open
The 2021 WM Phoenix Open will be held at TPC Scottsdale February 1-7. “The People’s Open” was named the Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR four times in the past six years (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) to acknowledge the tournament’s legendary status as one the most unique events in golf. The 2021 edition will mark the 86th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the 12th as the WM Phoenix Open.
About GEO Foundation
GEO Foundation is the international not-for-profit dedicated to advancing sustainability in and through golf. Its goal is to work collaboratively to help the sport embrace environmental and social issues and become widely acclaimed for its role in fostering nature, conserving resources and building healthy communities. GEO assures the OnCourse® programs for grassroots golf facilities, new developments and tournaments, each of which can lead to the internationally accredited, endorsed and independently verified GEO Certified® label. Find out more at www.sustainable.golf.