Waste Management Phoenix Open earns two “Best Of” awards at PGA TOUR tournament meetings

PGA TOUR event honored for Best Tournament Sales and Best New Product in 2016

The Waste Management Phoenix Open was honored by the PGA TOUR with two “Best Of” awards at the TOUR’s tournament meetings on December 7. The Waste Management Phoenix Open has earned at least one “Best Of’” award for seven consecutive years, including Tournament of The Year in 2014 and 2015. 

The Waste Management Phoenix Open received recognition for Best Tournament Sales and Best New Product during the 2016 tournament at TPC Scottsdale. Thanks to the increased sales and innovation, the tournament donated a record-total of $9.3 million for charity in 2016. 

“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, I am pleased to congratulate the Waste Management Phoenix Open for the special recognition it has received in two categories,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR chief tournaments and competitions officer. “The tournament staff should be extremely proud of its hard work and for being recognized as the best among its peers on the TOUR.”

The Best Tournament Sales award is given to the tournament with the strongest adjusted post-event sales data from each event participating in the data collection program. As such, the Waste Management Phoenix Open reported a 10.25 percent revenue increase in 2016, following a 30 percent increase in 2015. The event experienced a nearly 13 percent increase in its number of skyboxes, taking the total to 312. The tournament also sold 1,743 hospitality packages.

The Best New Product, also awarded to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, was the Bay Club at 17, a one-of-a-kind venue was built to resemble a five-star resort complete with high-end food and beverage. The 21 suites sold out in 2016, driving more than $1.1 million in new revenue, with plans for 16 additional suites in 2017. 

“We’re excited and honored to receive this recognition from the PGA TOUR,” said Andy Markham, 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman. “These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of The Thunderbirds, our determined staff, the thousands of volunteers and the best fans in golf.” 

The 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open, won this year by Hideki Matsuyama, will be held January 30 - February 5 at TPC Scottsdale.