The Waste Management Phoenix Open Is Golf’s Ultimate Party—And I Had to See It for Myself

A few Fridays ago, I found myself nestled in the bleachers under the scorching Scottsdale sun, surrounded by a crowd of mostly intoxicated ASU students, all while watching pro golfers take on the iconic 16th hole. One by one, as each player failed to sink a hole-in-one, bellowing waves of boos, groans, and oohs reverberated throughout the stadium. The energy? Unmistakably familiar–like one of those college ragers that I’d been to way too many times back in my undergrad days. “This reminds me so much of my college days,” I heard one Thunderbird member say to his wife when describing the week’s event.

Welcome to the Waste Management Phoenix Open. 

This was only the second golf event I had the chance to attend, and it was anything but ordinary. Thanks to a last-minute ticket purchase from Event Tickets Center, I got to dive into what’s referred to as “the biggest golf tournament of the year." It’s not hard to see why.

There were more than half a million people in attendance at the most popular stops on the PGA tour. But how did it get to this point? “It was never this huge,” a late-night Uber driver shared as she drove me back to my hotel. She recounted attending the tournament in her college days when it first moved to TPC Scottsdale in the late 1980s, when attendance was merely 250,000. “The tournament only got this popular over the past 7 years, but back then, it was more about the game than it was about partying.”

During the week’s activities, I spent most of my time at the Greenskeeper's hospitality suite, perched above the 18th hole. Here, it was more about the cocktails than the golf swings. The atmosphere was electric, with a constant hum of music and an array of activations and vendors: from Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s Gin and Juice Photo Booth, which was a complete vibe, exclusive golf swag courtesy of Marlboro x Interscope Records, an EA sports Waste Management gaming experience, the Timeless Cannabis lounge, and of course, Complex had a presence throughout the floor.

Beyond the gates of Greenkeepers, one could find themselves at one of the many hospitality suites, spectator structures, or amenities spread across the large campus. However, none of that compared to the electric energy around the 16th hole. On Wednesday afternoon, spectators packed the area to witness the Whoop Shot at Glory–a celebrity and athlete golf challenge. Michael Phelps, MGK, and Brian Baumgartner, amongst other celebrity and professional golfers, made appearances, each taking their best shot to try to get as close to the pin on this famous hole as possible. 

As the sun dipped below the desert horizon, the party didn’t slow down as everyone made their way over to the Bird’s Nest, a massive desert-style tent that served as the main concert venue for the Phoenix Open. The night was filled with great musical acts, but the highlight was easily fan-favorite Jelly Roll, who gave an electrifying, gospel-country-fueled performance that had the crowd amped up and uplifted. He was joined by surprise guest and frequent collaborator MGK. For someone who is not an avid country or rock listener, I truly did have myself a time; I honestly may have been converted to a Jelly Roll fan instantly.

On the following nights, I took refuge at the back of the house in the Interscope exclusive VIP, deli-style speakeasy lounge in partnership with Still G.I.N. I was more than happy to indulge in the free deli items readily available to grab as you pleased, along with the open bar that consisted of a gin cocktail menu, which was so good that it made me second-guess whether I liked gin or not. 

All in all, whether you are a golf enthusiast or just looking for an excuse to party and have a good time at a prestigious event against the backdrop of Scottsdale, Arizona, the Waste Management Phoenix Open may be the place to be. There’s no reason not to enjoy your time, especially if you’re looking for a perfect blend of sporting excellence and all-out party vibes.