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The lack of rain helped, but police patrolling the 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open and the event’s organizer, the civic Thunderbirds group, said course layout changes ensured a smooth Saturday.
Scottsdale Police Officer Scott Bolin, a department spokesperson, said he had worked the Phoenix Open for the past eight years and this year’s event was running the best he had seen.
“When the weather cooperates, it’s a smooth event,” he said.
If the WM Phoenix Open were just about golf, it would be much easier to manage. However, over the years, the tournament has drawn more than just golf fans, cultivating a party atmosphere around the traditionally reserved sport.
On Saturday, the party surrounding the golf continued as normal. Men walked around in matching jumpsuits or dressed as medieval knights. Friends wearing matching banana suits or shirts decorated with ducks crowded in the stands of the 16th hold.
Much of the day featured clear skies and temperatures in the 70s. Clouds were expected to roll in during the late afternoon. However, no rain was in the forecast.
It was a stark contrast to the 2024 tournament when mid-week rains disrupted plans and soaked the grounds. By Saturday, despite clear skies, attendees faced muddy grass and congested concrete paths on a cold day.
At times, entrance gates were closed, preventing ticketholders from entering. Concession sales near the 18th hole were briefly halted, not due to concerns about overindulgence, but simply to disperse crowds elsewhere on the course, according to Bolin.
Despite the disruptions, Bolin described the event as a success from a public safety standpoint. While some attendees were inconvenienced, he emphasized that everyone remained safe.
While there have been arrests and ejections during the 2025 tournament, Bolin stated that official numbers would be available after the event. He emphasized that police take action cautiously, aiming to maintain the balance between fun and order. “The fun part is what people come for,” he explained, “but it’s not a free-for-all.”
Changes lead to a smooth event.
Matt Mooney, chairman of the 2025 Phoenix Open, mentioned that following the 2024 tournament, the Thunderbirds made long-discussed changes to the course layout.
He mentioned that several cart paths were widened and an additional entrance was opened, both measures aimed at keeping crowds spread out across the course.
Mooney said he was confident those changes would improve traffic flow, even on a rainy day. “I’m confidents that it’s not just an anomaly because it’s 72 and sunny,” he said. Even in bad weather, he said, “we will be able to move people around more efficiently.”
On Saturday, high-priced hospitality areas were filled, indicating strong demand for premium amenities. Mooney shared that 98 percent of suite owners renewed for the 2025 tournament.
Managers also added new spaces accessible to all fans, like a spot near the 7th Hole offering Blue Moon beer and barbecue from Little Miss BBQ. Signs near the entrance to the lively 16th Hole encouraged fans to check out the Desert Oasis beer and BBQ area instead.
The tournament switched to selling tickets for specific days, moving away from the previous practice of offering general admission tickets valid for any day. This change helps organizers and police better plan for crowd sizes on each day of the event.
Ticket prices increased $50 on the tournament’s busiest days, Friday and Saturday. Mooney said that was partly done to offset the costs of reconfiguring the course. Though the Thunderbirds don’t release attendance numbers, the tournament was listed as sold out on Saturday.
Mooney noted that some golf events were struggling to attract an audience, but that’s not the case for the Phoenix Open. He estimated that half of those in attendance were there for the event itself, not just the golf.
Mooney said golf had a reputation of being exclusive. “We want this tournament to be different than that,” he said.
The fans on the 16th Hole dressed in the banana costumes would no doubt agree.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sun, redesign of gallery make for a “smooth” Saturday at Phoenix Open
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