The Waste Management Phoenix Open was honored by the PGA TOUR as the “PGA TOUR Tournament of the Year” for the 2014-15 season at the TOUR’s Tournament Meetings on December 3. The event also earned two additional awards including “Best Title Sponsor Integration” and “Best New Sales Product.”
“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to congratulate the Waste Management Phoenix Open for being named the best among its peers on TOUR,” said PGA TOUR EVP and Chief of Operations Andy Pazder. “The tournament committee worked tirelessly with its title sponsor on new and innovative ways to improve the tournament experience and this award is a testament to that.”
The Waste Management Phoenix Open received the “Tournament of the Year” award for the second consecutive year by virtue of its all-encompassing strides for perfection. In 2015, the Waste Management Phoenix Open set new records in gross revenue, attendance and number of sponsors that resulted in a tournament-record $9 million for Phoenix-area charities. Arguably the most unique event on the PGA TOUR, the Waste Management Phoenix Open was credited with 1,617 sponsors, 4,200 volunteers and 564,368 fans. The Waste Management Phoenix Open also diverted 100 percent of the tournament’s waste from landfills, fulfilling its tagline as the “Greenest Show on Grass.” Governor Doug Ducey also issued an official proclamation declaring Saturday, January 31, 2015 as “Green-Out Day”.
“On behalf of Waste Management, The Thunderbirds and our dedicated volunteers, we are honored to be recognized by the PGA TOUR for the second straight year,” said Thunderbirds Big Chief Danny Calihan. “Our fan and corporate support is second to none and because of that we are able to give back so much to the Phoenix community in charitable contributions.”
The Waste Management Phoenix Open was also recognized for “Best Title Sponsor Integration” for its integration of Waste Management’s brand and sustainability and educational focus across all levels of the event. With the goal of inspiring action through environmental leadership, the Waste Management Phoenix Open served as a major platform for Waste Management’s environmental solutions capabilities. Thanks to support of the host organization, vendors, fans and sponsors, from 2013 to 2015 the event achieved 100 percent diversion of waste from landfills as part of its Zero Waste Challenge campaign. From pre-tournament messaging to on-site engagement, the tournament and title sponsor focused on educating and inspiring sponsors and fans through fun and unique initiatives. The title sponsor also conducted a themed sustainability forum – Energy Evolution: Powering Change Through Innovation, Efficiency and Technology. Held the week of the tournament, more than 200 customers, business executives and industry experts were in attendance.
“On behalf of our entire team of Waste Management employees, we’d like to thank the PGA TOUR for recognizing the Waste Management Phoenix Open as its ‘Tournament of the Year’ and we applaud The Thunderbirds for all they do to make this such a great tournament, including their amazing record of giving back millions of dollars each year to local charities,” said David Steiner, Waste Management president and chief executive officer. “We’re especially proud of the ‘Best Title Sponsor Integration’ award which recognizes the tremendous Waste Management team effort to make this the greenest show on grass. We sincerely congratulate the tournaments who also received well-deserved recognition at the awards.”
In addition, the Waste Management Phoenix Open received the award for “Best New Sales Product” for new suites on the famed, par-3 16th hole, a venue on the course which had already been deemed at capacity. With the creation of the 16th Hole Loge Suites, the tournament used creative design and out-of-the-box thinking to deliver a unique experience for guests, while generating a significant net profit. The suites provided views of multiple holes, an interior design to create a luxury feel, games and premier food and beverage choices.
The 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, won this year by Brooks Koepka, will be held February 4-7 at TPC Scottsdale.
