Each person in the Phoenix Open’s community has a different purpose and goal to keep the tournament running smoothly, from volunteers keeping score, to officers and others protecting the people and the environment, and Thunderbirds overseeing the money donated to charities.

Frank Kohler, the Chairman of the Marshals and a Thunderbird, is a vital asset to the volunteering community. Starting his daily preparation in August, he manages over a thousand people around the 18-hole vicinity, making sure that everything is covered by a volunteer. Each day, he regulates volunteers around the gates, shoots, the traffic control, and the quiet moments during a player’s shot.

While the volunteers keep everything running smoothly on the ground, the officers work inside and outside of the site ensuring everyone’s safety. Aaron Bolin, one of the public information officers for the Scottsdale Police Department, describes the police radio system they use to communicate with one another. Bolin states, “But here we have access to that keypad, we go on that keypad, we all go to basically the same sort of mutual talk group, we can all hear each other”. If there is any disturbance anywhere around the course, the officers communicate with each other and get to the issue in a quick time.

WM is the title sponsor of the Phoenix Open, contributing to making it the world’s largest zero-waste sporting event. Adrienne Fors and Anne Spitza, members of the Green Team, “talk trash” to educate people about how to recycle and the importance of doing it. Their impact reaches people all around the country, promoting a healthy environment for future generations.

The Thunderbirds have been a sponsor for the People’s Open for 87 years and running. The big Chief Matt Mooney is the president of the Thunderbird organization, but he also oversees all the money raised for charity from the tournament. Last year, there were $18.1 million dollars donated to charities.

This tournament is more than just golf; it’s a community supporting each and every one of the numerous fans attending. Every person that helps run the Phoenix Open has a different role, and each role is just as important as the others to sustain the amazing reputation the WM Phoenix Open holds.