SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – It is the place to be at the WM Phoenix Open, and the line proves it. The human chain snakes around the back of the immense temporary arena surrounding the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale and remains unbroken as it extends between the towering grandstands and the 11th fairway. Few people have more than one free hand and many have none—one paw clutching a phone, the other a beverage that is intended for something other than refreshment.
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The wait to enter the organized chaos is up to an hour during Friday’s second round. On the weekend, it can be two or more. It is a curiosity to some fans, a ritual for others. Appreciating the game and the expertise of the players is secondary. At best. “This is where you feel like you are participating in tournament,” said one man wearing a University of Minnesota cap who knew better than to expend extended time in line with a drink in only one hand. “The juice is worth the squeeze.”
They cheer. They boo. They drink. They refill. They become way more witty and charming. Or so they come to think.
No rinsing. Just repeat.
There isn’t a bad seat in the place mainly because they spend so little time utilizing their intended purpose. There is one exception—namely the 64 padded folding armchairs placed conspicuously adjacent to the right side of the tee box. They are sweet, an oasis of propriety. They also go for an estimated $10,000 a pop.
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PGA Tour players who compete in this event assume a like-minded attitude about their incursion into tournament golf’s rawest atmosphere. “You have to embrace it,” said local resident Jake Knapp, echoing a sentiment expressed by many of his peers.
“You just have to accept what they’re there for,” Englishman John Parry, making his tournament debut, added.
Well, when six guys show up dressed like bright-yellow bananas or eight young men all are wearing the same hideous paisley shirts or many women are clad in, well, a bit less than maybe their fathers would prefer, folks are there, it seems, more to be seen watching golf than actually watching golf. For the last five years a group has shown up in Sesame Street costumes. An inebriated Oscar the Grouch has to be entertainment gold.
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Ben Jared
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But it’s not for everyone. Ask a tour players to which parts of the golf course they might gravitate if they were to attend this event as spectators, most would not be heading to the 16th hole. Not even for Oscar. Apparently, true golf fans would be much happier on the front nine. Anywhere on the front nine.
“I think there are spots on the front nine where you can get a really good view of multiple holes,” said Joel Dahmen, who, unfortunately, missed the cut after receiving a sponsor exemption and could only come back this weekend as an onlooker. “You can sit on the hill on 6 and see the par 3 and see the green. Once you get to that 16, 17, it’s pretty tough to see stuff. So the front nine is a little quieter, and then when you get out to 13, 14 it’s pretty quiet out there as well. I would not be in the masses if I was here to watch golf.”
“The front nine is where you can actually see golf shots,” Knapp said. “It [the 16th hole] is probably something you want to experience at some point. But now that I’m on the other end, I have no desire to be in those bleachers.”
Rickie Fowler also recommended a brief visit to 16. “You’d have to go to 16 for a little bit, just to experience it. But to watch golf? I think 3 through 8, and then 11 green through 15, there’s not that many people. You can kind of bounce around and see multiple players. Basically, just stay west on the course.”
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Akshay Bhatia said that TPC Scottsdale “is almost two different courses.” There’s the front nine and the “crazy” back nine, which is legitimately crazy in just one concentrated area.
Rookie Neal Shipley has enjoyed his first visit to arena but acknowledges that opinions vary about the 16th hole experience. “I think it depends who you are, if you like that environment or not. I certainly do,” he admitted. Probably has something to do with being 25 years old.
Asked to put himself on the other side, to be among the crazed and the dazed, and he didn’t deviate from his initial assessment. “If I wanted to watch golf, I think if you’re around there you’ve probably got to go watch on 16 at least once. I mean, it’s special, and there is nothing else like it. I’d definitely watch there if it’s [my] first time. It would be pretty cool.”
Max Homa, who missed the cut the last two years here but made it to this weekend, also would opt to hang with Elmo and Big Bird if he were a paying customer. He recognizes that it’s an either-or proposition.
“If you just want to watch golf you go to the front nine,” he said. “If you’re asking me, I would go to 16.”
Why?
“To drink.”
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