Scottsdale Major Calls For Changes To Wasted Management Phoenix Open

3 months ago by Comments Off on Scottsdale Major Calls For Changes To Wasted Management Phoenix Open

The major of Scottsdale, Arizona has called for drastic change following the hosting of last week’s Wasted Management Phoenix Open.

The 92nd anniversary of the PGA Tour event known affectionately as ‘The People’s Open’. experienced some of the worst behaviour seen for some times at the event eventually won in a play-off by Canadian Nick Taylor.

The rain and the weather-related disruptions did little to quell the enormous drunkenness we witnessed at last week’s golf tournament.

Local Scottsdale Police report 54 fans were arrested over the four days while some 211 ‘unruly individuals’ were removed from the host TPC Scottsdale grounds, and some 73 were shown the front gated by security for trespassing.

Those figures do not include underage drinkers while police indicated there were just over 350 other matters that required their attention.

As well, there were many players including the likes of Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschell, Byeong Hun An+ and Zach Johnson calling for changes in the wake of last week’s over-the-top crowd behaviour.

Old Tom would turn in his grave if he knew the ancient club-and-ball game had lowered itself to the level witnessed last  week.

No wonder Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega has called for “necessary change” to the tournament after facing heavy criticism.

Scottsdale Mayor Ortega

“The Phoenix Open has an outstanding reputation and has successfully attracted millions of fans over the last 37 years to Scottsdale, without the unruly behaviour that we witnessed last week,” he said.

“I am confident that the Thunderbirds are committed to make necessary changes so the next Open is safe and enjoyable for all.”

Wasted Management Tournament Director, Chance Cozby, speaking to the Golf Channel, admitted also changes will have been made to next year’s event.

“We are very proud of what we’ve built. I think we’ve been tournament of the year on the PGA Tour five of the last seven years. But we don’t like what happened on Saturday. The players don’t like what happened on Saturday. Our fans don’t like what happened on Saturday, and, so, nothing is off the table.

“We’re going to make changes. I think everybody probably agrees that we have a very unique culture of our event. This was our 89th playing and I don’t think any of us dreamed that it would grow to this level of attendance and excitement.”

This journalist has twice attended the WM Phoenix Open and I’ve vowed never to attend given what I’ve witnessed in my two visits, and I’m talking here not just the out-of-control drinking but other disgusting acts I will not go into.

You only had to see the sight of some 20 police officers lined-up at the exit gates each day conducting random breath testing of spectators leaving the course on foot to think to yourself:  “What’s been going in there?”

One Phoenix resident stated that security didn’t even check her bag or scan her ticket. Taylor Davidson told the Arizona Republic : “I’ve never seen that many people in one place in my entire life. It was a lot crazier from what I saw this year.

“Last year, I did more walking around, too – like in the general area. And I mean there were a lot of drunk people, but this year was definitely a lot worse. There were a lot of non-responsive people, stumbling all around, falling. I’ve seen many, many videos of people just going completely limp.”

Yes, it’s not the publicity the PGA Tour would welcome these past few days.



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