Waste Management Open

When Bethpage hosts the Ryder Cup in 2025, it's going to be crazy!

The WM has been out of control for quite some time. Growing up near Bethpage was a treat for sure, not the best venue for a crowd (getting in and leaving), but a great scene.

I'm all for having a good time, but it's never a good scene when the event host has to stop sales of fun juice. I heard speculation of counterfeit tickets being used to gain entry that put capacity over what they were permitted for occupancy as well, that certainly couldn't have helped. Either way, it seemed like the debauchery was on a higher level this year and it should probably be reigned in a little bit next year before someone gets seriously hurt or worse. The powers that be need to figure out how they convey the message of "let's have a party" that isn't misconstrued as or condoning "let's get so housed we pee our pants and have to be carried out of here".

It's like blasting music on the course...too much is enough! Everything in moderation. Out of control for sure

I believe those who are responsible for hosting the WMO will be doing a "refresh" regarding the behavior of the crowd. It will be toned down considerably next year.

The WM Phoenix Open is where the Thunderbirds and WM want it to be. 24,000 people on hole number 16 and a big draw. Making money for charity. A bit rowdy but has anyone been down to Hilton Head for the HBC the week after the Masters always has been a loud event that was part of a drinking party. In the beginning, not a stop over for big names. Remember Greg Norman drinking with the fans along hole number 18 when he would come in.
Now that RBC and Boeing are involved the big names are there, but the partying is still the big deal. We were guests of MDA one year and a lemo met us at the front gate and we rode in to a private condo where we ate and drink all day long between number 10 and 17. That was in 1988. Not all tournaments are the Masters. Guess at various stages in our lives, it is about choices. 2024 and am 77, do not go to that tournament any longer, unless it is to work at the vendor tent. When we teed off on 16 on Dec 2 at the TT Invitational, at the TPC of Scottsdale - Champions Course, and that DJ was blasting music, I actually asked him if he would cut the music down. Very distracting for me, guess I have become a prude. Still did not get it on the green =(

I was more distracted by all the hammering and construction work on #16

I thought the WM was out of control last year. I didn't think it would get worse.

Was very happy with the behavior of the fans at both the 2002 US Open and the 2019 PGA. There will always be isolated incidents but the crowds were very respectful.

The atmosphere, crazy and all, is what makes this tournament such a fun experience…

IMHO, Chris

I'm sorry, but people doing belly flops in the rough, numerous fist fights, and a guy jumping into the bunker on 18 doing a somersault and a snow angel is not making golf a fun experience. Did anyone see the videos of the fan confrontations with JT, Zack Johnson and Billy Ho? I thought that Billy was about to slug his heckler. WM needs to tighten this event up as it's gotten out of hand. It used to be fun but now it's gone overboard. I expect some players opting to skip the event.

The Thunderbirds (organization that puts on the tournament) quickly acknowledged the problem and have apologized to the tour and the community. They have committed to making changes for 2025. BTW, they are responsible for closing the gates Saturday afternoon and who closed alcohol sales. They agree, it came too late. As for eliminating all inappropriate behavior, that will be difficult. We saw it at the Super Bowl, Ryder Cup, and just about everywhere large crowds gather these days. Hopefully 2025 will have the wildness predominantly at Hole 16 where all the players expect it to be.

Cutting off the alcohol is not much different than a lot of major league stadiums doing the same thing. As for the big names griping about the atmosphere, you know what you are getting into. If you know it is going to bother you, skip it. I am sure there are any number of alternates that would love to take your spot.

The Tour needs those few events that draw big crowds, lord knows the lesser events are falling away quickly. Nobody attends LPGA/Champions/Korn ferry events. I go to all of them in the Southeast. Nobody here in Naples today. Great for me, not so much for the bottom line!

Sadly, I think ther WMO has officially "jumped the shark"
The golf being played is no longer the draw, it's the scene that has been created.

Having played other sports in HS and College, noise has never bothered me golfing. I'm surprised how many golfers get irate when there is any noise when they are trying to hit. They should play with my cousin. He never shuts up. Haha.
This tournament has been this way for a long time. I agree with Erich, if a player doesn't like it or can't handle it, they should just skip it. If enough big names stop coming that will change the policies on fan behavior faster than complaining will.

The problem with the WM Open is it's being promoted as a big party. When you keep promoting that atmosphere you eventually will lose control. I am all for enjoying the event and it's a great time. The 16th is like no other, but like others have said you need to keep it within some level of control. At the end of the day, you need to make it an event that the players want to play in and be a part of. If you don't it will lose its place.

The majority of the problems stemmed from the crazy amount of rain we received that week. I've been going to Phoenix Open for 20 years and they have always been wild. This year with all the rain and half of the course unusable by attendees it put everyone in the same areas which caused the major congestion. At least as long as I have gone, it has been more of a Scottsdale social event than a golf event. Nothing wrong with that, just accept it for what it is. With how much money it rakes in every year for the Thunderbirds I don't see it changing much, they just better hope it doesn't rain like this year.

Here is a quote that I found that was written in 2022 when all the been cans were thrown on the 16th green damaging the greens:

"I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your question of the day. I am a lifelong golf professional, readying for retirement in a couple of years. I was very impressed with the amount of infrastructure buildout at TPC Scottsdale, holes 16 through 18. An incredible amount of spectators can enjoy the golf played by very talented PGA Tour professionals. I am OK with the crowds enjoying themselves and the players seem to be OK with the noise level and interaction with the spectators.

I think the PGA Tour and/or tournament organizers need to step up some security if we are to continue with the current form of spectator facilities at TPC Scottsdale. If someone threw a full beverage container onto an NBA court or at an MLB dugout or at an NFL sideline or into an NHL rink or team bench, that person would surely be escorted out. Same should happen at WMPO or any other Tour event for that matter.

Tom Kinsman
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan"

I think he makes a valid point. Only sport where throwing beer cans on the field of play is legal. Just sayin'. If they did this at August they would never get out of jail. The folks there have to much respect for the game. Blame it on alcohol and the folks who put on the tournament. The PGA and the Thunderbirds. The poor volunteers cannot control the rowdy crowds on those two holes. Impossible! Although the TBs raise a lot of money. What is more important the money or the safety? Think you know the answer.

Yea @Chuck Z, I don't disagree one bit, anyone throwing bottles or items on the course should be removed immediately. That is unacceptable. It seemed everyone was drinking out of green lightweight plastic cups this year, which I am guessing was to stop bottles from being thrown on to the course. Another option for the future is to move the general admission seats on 16 away from the green or remove them all together. Hope they get it figured out because it is a great event.

Super event, JR. And does so much good for charity. Just tame it down a bit. Talked to some guys at the course who were visiting for a bachelor party from out of town, on Friday and we were discussing this issue. They said nd they did not see anything wrong with it when someone got a hole in one. Asked them about the safety of the players and the damage to the course. Like talking to a tree and let it go. So it is an attitude that needs to be changed regarding that hole. Guess it is the new world we live in. Our legislature just passed a new law and the gov just signed it that anyone 18/over without permit or training, can open carry a small arm/pistol in public, where not posted. Those who make the rules are the problems, again, is my point. =(