MICHAEL GOLDING NAMED ASSISTANT TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN FOR 2021 “THE PEOPLE’S OPEN”

The Thunderbirds, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, have named Scott Jenkins the Tournament Chairman for the 2021 edition of “The People’s Open”, which will be played February 1 – February 7, 2021, at TPC Scottsdale. Additionally, The Thunderbirds announced that Michael Golding has been named Assistant Tournament Chairman for the 2021 event.

Jenkins assumes the role of Tournament Chairman after serving last year as Assistant Tournament Chairman alongside Tim Woods. He will guide The Thunderbirds in the planning and execution of every facet of the 2021 event, including sponsorship generation and renewals, security and safety, recruiting PGA TOUR players to the event, community relations, logistics, and development of on-course venues.

“It’s an honor to be named by my fellow Thunderbirds as this year’s Tournament Chairman of the Waste Management Phoenix Open,” Jenkins said. “While we are very proud of the success of the tournament, the focus continues to be on our mission of charitable giving and the tremendous impact it has on the community, especially in our current environment.  I look forward to continuing the special relationship we have formed with our title sponsor, Waste Management, and of course all of the players, fans, sponsors and volunteers who make this event ‘The People’s Open’.”

Jenkins is a Partner with the law firm of Quarles & Brady and his practice focuses on commercial disputes and complex litigation.  Additionally, he is Chair of the firm’s local Bankruptcy Group and Recruiting Committee.

He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona; he also earned his law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law.  An active Thunderbird since 2015, Jenkins lives in Phoenix with his wife Brandi, and two sons, Will (age 14) and Sam (age 11).

As Assistant Tournament Chairman, Golding will aid Jenkins in all tournament-related operations while also preparing to assume the Tournament Chairman role for 2022. Dr. Golding is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who co-leads the practice of Oral and Facial Surgeons of Arizona. He also is the Official Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona State University athletics, and he surgically manages the Level 1 trauma centers for the Banner Healthcare System.

A Pittsburgh native, Golding received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech University before receiving his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from The University of Baltimore, where he graduated at the top of his class. Golding then completed his Maxillofacial Surgery residency training at University of Miami in Florida before moving to the Valley. An active Thunderbird since 2015, Golding lives in Phoenix with his wife Laura and their two children, Olivia (age 7) and William (age 5).

The 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open will be held at TPC Scottsdale February 1 – 7. “The People’s Open” has been named the Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR four times in six years (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) to help the tournament gain legendary status for being one the most unique events in golf. The 2021 edition will mark the 86^th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the 12^th as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 280 “life” members.  The Thunderbirds raised a record $14 million for charity from proceeds from the 2020 WM Phoenix Open and have eclipsed $161 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932.  For more information on The Thunderbirds, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.