Here today, At The Buzzer presents our first photo journal ever. That’s right, it’s my trip to the Phoenix Open (I think I’m never going to call it by it’s official name, the Waste Management Phoenix Open…because it sounds dirty.) The Phoenix Open is constantly known as the “biggest party in golf” every year, and I was able to attend and take some pictures of the action! There really isn’t much golf action to be told here, because the reason this is the biggest party is the mix of things you’ll never see at any other golf tournament, alcohol…and yeah some golf is fun too.

The Phoenix Open is consistently the most attended golf event on the PGA tour, in fact, a record was set last Saturday as 179,800 people attended just on that one day and routinely the entire event draws over 500,000 people every year. Now we know that it’s not all golf that people watch, so here’s a bit of everything else.

That’s right folks. That’s a real bald eagle. In the main entrance before you even get to the course is a giant tent with all sorts of different sponsors. While most of them are golf based (simulators, putting greens and the like) there are plenty of others including a wildlife foundation. After seeing this bird up close and personal (believe me, I saw its wingspan) I can totally believe why it was chosen as the symbol of our great nation. It’s truly majestic. ‘MERICA!

As I mentioned earlier, The Phoenix Open is known as the biggest party in golf, and what party would be complete without the wine! Yes, that’s about 5 ounces of cabernet sauvignon in a plastic cup. There are beer and wine stands set up all around the event, and while I’m sure that other golf events sell “spirits” they aren’t as abundant as they are here. This would sadly be my only glass of wine, as the concession stand near our seats only had Blue Moon. Oh well, I survived somehow.
(That was totally sarcastic, I love Blue Moon)

On the left there is apparently the World’s Greatest Bloody Mary. Now I’m not a big fan of the bloody mary, so I couldn’t verify if this was indeed true. But considering there were about 8 different stands that I saw all saying “World’s Greatest,” they might be using a little bit of hyperbole…maybe

However though, this is definitely what you need when you come back for your second straight day of partying at the Phoenix Open. That and some aspirin might do you some good I suppose.

Look at that. Now that is just about the most picturesque day you could possibly ask for in Phoenix in February. The mountains in the background, the cloudy day (yes you can tell I’m from Phoenix when I love a cloudy day) the beautifully kept greens. I’m really only posting this so I have a reminder of why I love to live here when its 115 in July.

This is where the Phoenix Open really gets fun. The 16th hole is one of the easiest holes on the PGA tour, yet no hole is more famous. As you can see in the picture, the entire short par 3 is surrounded by bleachers and it is filled to capacity for every golfer. It’s really amazing to be at a golf tournament and have the guys  who usually hold up the “QUIET PLEASE” signs flapping their arms asking for more noise after a good shot. This is the hole where fans will celebrate like their team won the super bowl if someone hits a hole in one, and will also boo a golfer mercilessly if they miss the green. True story, on the day I went, a popular golfer Bubba Harrington hit his shot into the sand. He smiled meekly while the crowd jeered him incessantly.

Another true Story, a golfer named Padrig Harrington was in third place on the final round on Sunday with a slim chance to win. After his shot on 16, he and his caddie began punting footballs into the crowd. Real, NFL regulation size footballs. No where else in golf can this happen.

Also no where else in golf can this happen: The caddy races!! With the official Waste Management app for your smartphone, there is an option to pick the winner for each caddy race. Some of them drop the bag and full out sprint like these fine fellows here. Others don’t care and walk to each hole discussing their shot like good caddies. Those who walk are roundly booed by the gallery, and rightly so.  The best caddy race so far:

Again, no where else in golf can you get this kind of excitement.

The final picture of our journey is the inarguable winner of the Phoenix Open popularity contest. Phil Mickelson graduated from ASU, has a jovial attitude and loves it here in Arizona, and all of the fans love him here. As you can see, everyone in front of me is standing watching this Birdie putt, and I’m standing too. In fact, everyone stood the entire time from his entrance to exit on this hole.

I really plan on making a trip to the Phoenix open every year from now on. The more golf I play as I get older, the more I appreciate the skill that these guys really have. Also, as I get towards my 30s…it’s a pretty good excuse to drink like you’re in college and make a lot of noise. Til next year!