Top ‘Fore’ Reasons to Love the Waste Management Phoenix Open

The Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMPO) begins this week at the legendary TPC Scottsdale course, and we couldn’t be more excited to sponsor and support the Greenest Show on Grass!

Since Waste Management stepped up as title sponsor, we’ve worked hard each year to create a quality, top-of-the-tour event that is fun for both players and guests. There are many reasons I’m such a fan of this special event, but in the spirit of golf’s “less is more” scoring – here’s my top ‘fore’ list.

• Number 4: Loud and lively! Known as the ‘People’s Open,’ the Waste Management Phoenix Open is arguably the most fan-friendly, fun-filled tournament of all time. Spectators cheer, laugh and let loose – and we love the green spirit!
• Number 3: The Thunderbirds – a group of civic-minded individuals who passionately promote the Waste Management Phoenix Open and charitable causes focused on youth, families and communities. Last year, our partnership raised more than $10 million from tournament proceeds, and, over the course of the tournament’s 82-year history, The Thunderbirds have raised more than $110 million. Recent beneficiaries include: Phoenix Children's Hospital; First Tee of Phoenix; Special Olympics Arizona; Homeward Bound; Boys & Girls Clubs; YMCA; Waste Not; Junior Golf Association of Arizona; Elevate Phoenix; A New Leaf; and Tumbleweed. 
• Number 2: Green dialogue. Amid the crowds and tournament clamor, there’s a quieter, though equally spirited, discussion taking place. In conjunction with the tournament, Waste Management hosts a Sustainability Forum, an event that brings together leaders from business, government, academia and non-governmental organizations. The Forum provides an opportunity for leaders to focus on sustainability principles, best practices and effective strategies to advance shared goals.
• Number 1: Zero waste achieved! The Waste Management Phoenix Open is a big, bold tournament. And, since 2013, it has embraced a big, bold sustainability goal: Host a weeklong sporting event, entertain more than 600,000 attendees, and, in the process, produce zero waste. Everything is either recycled, composted, reused, donated or used to create energy!

Ambitious? Absolutely. Achievable? Yes indeed!

For five straight years (and looking forward) we successfully diverted 100 percent of event waste from landfills and ensured event materials go to their next best use. We plan all facets of tournament operations with that goal in mind, from signage and food and beverage management to material collection and sorting. We bale recyclables, send food waste to composting facilities, store signage for reuse, donate nonperishable food items and event materials to charitable organizations and generate clean energy through waste incineration.

In addition, water conservation is a priority for us, particularly since the Waste Management Phoenix Open makes its home in a Southwest desert community. Working with the nonprofit Change the Course organization, we launched the Waste Management Phoenix Open Water Campaign to support water flow restoration projects in Northern Arizona’s Verde River and other Colorado River Basin tributaries.

We’re proud of the fact that the Waste Management Phoenix Open was the first PGA TOUR tournament and the largest event ever to achieve the Council for Responsible Sport’s Inspire Certification, and that last year we became the first GEO (Golf Environment Organization) Certified? tournament. And, like the amazing field of talent you’ll see in Scottsdale this week, we’re committed to continually improving our performance.

There’s lots to love about the Waste Management Phoenix Open – more than I can address here. But what I love most is that we’re leaving behind less. We are minimizing our footprint … achieving the bold goal of zero waste … utilizing renewable energy … and serving as a model for sustainable sporting events around the globe.

Let’s go green!