Many of the volunteers at the Phoenix Open are not new to their work. Frank Kohler, volunteer coordinator of the event, has dedicated countless hours to his work over the course of 35 years. Nan Curran, member of the walking scorers committee, has been volunteering for 25 years. These are only a few examples of the many long standing volunteers who have watched the event grow together.

These people are the reason viewers at home can stay up to date with details as specific as how far a shot went and what club the players hit. Walking scorers are required to give their undivided attention to every shot in order to pass on accurate information to shotlink, a system used by the PGA to track  every shot in real time. Volunteers like these are often overlooked despite what they contribute to every fan’s experience.

Police and fire also take on a huge responsibility when it comes to ensuring the safety of every attendee. As Public Information Officer Aaron Bowlan said, the police are there to not only check what’s coming into the course, but also control crowds, direct traffic, and respond to medical emergencies. He added that he wants people to enjoy the event but encourages them to do so safely. Ten different cities must dedicate some of their officers just to meet the event’s needs while also juggling the safety of their home stations.

Despite their different backgrounds, every team is able to come together when it counts and make the Phoenix Open a safe and enjoyable environment. Officers and paramedics are constantly trying to find flaws in their system and improve them for the following year. Officer Bowlan stated that planning begins a year in advance as even during the event they are already looking to the future. The teamwork these groups are able to demonstrate is essential to the success and safety of the Phoenix Open.

WM would not be able to send the message that it does without the efforts of people like Adrienne Fors and Anne Spitza. They work throughout the day to bring smiles to the faces of passersby while teaching them the importance of protecting our environment and recycling as often as possible. They spoke of numerous families who learned how to recycle, later going on to recycle in their own home. Their contributions are a huge reason why this event is able to produce zero waste year after year.

The WM Phoenix open represents more than just a golf tournament. It’s an opportunity for hundreds of people to work together and achieve something seemingly impossible.