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The Phoenix
Open
A Guide to the
Social Scene at Scottsdale's Top Event
The Phoenix Open
is a party with a little bit of golf thrown in for fun.
Who won the FBR Phoenix Open?
Well, the winner's list includes Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Miller
Barber, Johnny Miller, Ben Crenshaw, Byron Nelson, Billy Casper, Gene
Littler, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and, most recently, Aaron Baddeley.
But frankly, other than the current champion, his family, sponsors,
the tournament director and a few others, at this particular sporting
event the winner is pretty much a secondary thought for most of the
spectators. In fact, many are only vaguely aware that a professional
golf tournament is even taking place.
What they are here for – and 168,337 turned out on Saturday of
'06 to set a daily attendance record – is the atmosphere.
It's see, get seen and one heck of a scene. It's cocktails mixed with
conversation, the Sweet 16th and the Bird's Nest.
Welcome to the FBR Phoenix Open!
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Phoenix
Open Party Tips
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The 2008 FBR Phoenix Open is Jan. 31-Feb. 3
• Get tickets for the Bird's Nest at the small booth upon
entering the course. It's the same $20 as at the "Nest, "
but it saves time.
• Pick up a daily pairing sheet to follow specific golfers.
• Cameras and cell phones are not allowed. They will be checked
at the gate.
• Prime time at the 16th hole is between 1:30-3:30.
• Designate a meeting spot and time to find people in your
group, as it's easy to become separated.
• Bring cash, you'll need it. There are ATMs at the
entrance and several at the Bird's Nest ($3.50 transaction fee).
• Drinks are $5 for beer and wine, $6 for cocktails (water
$3, sodas $4).
• Daily GA ticket price: $25
• Saturday is the biggest day with Friday a close runner-up.
Sunday is subdued by comparison.
• Other fun social stops on the PGA Tour are the Verizon
Heritage Classic in Hilton Head Island, S.C., (April 12-15), the
EDS Byron Nelson Championship in Dallas (April 26-29) and The
Crown Plaza Invitational (The Colonial) in Ft. Worth, Texas (May
24-27).
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With a PGA golf tournament as the backdrop, the Phoenix Open is an
open opportunity for single people in Scottsdale and beyond to step
out and take their social swings. It's on par with the best of any outdoor-oriented
street or music festival, a prime party that is the centerpiece of the
Phoenix/Scottsdale cocktailing calendar. Held annually on Super Bowl
weekend, this social sensation is a partier's paradise. The Georgia-Florida
football game may be known as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail
Party" but the Phoenix Open might as well be "The World's
Most Social and Scenic Outdoor Experience."
It is held at the TPC Scottsdale and for those who actually desire
to watch some golf, it has the perfect setup. At most tournaments, it's
extremely difficult to see much action because the terrain is flat and
fans are lined up 3-4 deep against the ropes. Here, though, hills adjacent
to the holes provide elevated vantage points throughout the entire course.
There is great viewing everywhere – down the long fairway of the
552-year Par 5 15th, at No. 10 with the 16th hole also in range, from
the green on No. 6 that looks back to the 215-yard, Par 3 7th – and
on and on.
Even the famed 16th – where partying takes priority over putts
and pars – offers a full look at the hole and views to the
17th tee box and fairway. The 10th green and 11th tee box are within
pitching wedge range.
The TPC Scottsdale is a beautiful course with stadium-style views (here,
15th hole).
This "stadium-style" layout is a trademark of the TPC (Tournament
Player's Championship) courses, the original of which is in Ponte Vedre.
Fla, with its famous "island green."
The course is not particulary difficult for the players. There are
no woods, the rough is not PGA tough, water does not come into play
and the greens are large. "The hazards here," remarked one
PGA official, "are the fans, not the golf course."
The views of the fans are something different entirely. Some come casual
and comfortable, a few have golf shirts or sleeveless sweaters and smoke
cigars, and others – particularly blondes wearing heels, yes
heels to a golf course – are dressed as if looking for "sponsorship."
As far as the "beautiful people" factor, as anyone who's been
pubclubbing in Scottsdale can verify, let's just say it's reflective
of the area.
One of the most amusing sights PubClub encountered was a guy stumbling
into a "No Alcohol Beyond This Point" sign.
The Sweet 16(th)
The "hill"
at the legendary "sweet" 16th hole, is party central.
If it's possible to walk by a golf clubhouse,
past golfers, seeing people dressed in golf clothes, watching golf balls
bouncing on fairways and greens and not actually know you are at a golf
tournament, then say hello to the 16th hole.
This is like no other hole in golf. Rising high above the Par 3 –
offering a vantage point from tee box to green, which presents its own
unique challenges to the golfers – the "Sweet 16th" as
PubClub has come to call it, is the central nerve center of the Phoenix
Open.
It's where people gather by the thousands to cut loose, get crazy and
test the mental state of the pros. They roar with every tee shot as
if it's going in the cup and boo if a ball fails to land on the green.
They do the wave. When Arizona State graduate Mickelson comes into play,
they yell "ASU, ASU" as if at a football or basketball game.
And it's just not the ones on "the hill." It's also from
those in the grandstands. This unique setting has chased away some golfers
who refuse to play here because of its rowdy reputation. Tiger Woods,
for instance, was last seen at a tournament in Dubai instead of the
Phoenix Open.
This isn't a golf tournament, it's a tailgate party.
The elevated landsape provides fans a view from tee to green at 16.
The way the hole is situated – up a large hill past the 10th green
and 11th tee – it's possible to be at the 16th but not actually
see the 16th. And this is just fine with many; they hang by the
concession stand, get involved in harmless opposite sex wresting matches
and instigate other beer-fueled activity. Or simply soak up the scene
as well as the suds.
It's crowded but not elbow-to-elbow and there's so much adjacent open
space, it's possible to catch one's breath – or readjust the senses
– by ducking behind the electronic scoreboard and sitting
down at the 17th tee.
Some prefer to hang out slightly away from the action around the 10th
green or on the back side of the 16th hill, or even on a hill across
from the 11th hole. From there, one can get a clear vantage point of
what they might be getting into if they venture up to 16.
The hill surrounding the 11th tee is also swarmed by spectators.
The 10th green looking to the 11th tee; the 16th is just behind here.
The 16th party peaks from 2-3:30 on Friday and Saturday
but that's certainly not the end of the day. In fact, it's just a prelude
for the party yet to come. For there is the main food court, located
by the practice green and behind the 10th tee. For those lacking corporate
or VIP hospitality tents, this is the next best thing. Perhaps even
better. Standing just outside the entrance or sitting on the hill across
the cart path, cold beverage in hand, on Saturday afternoon is people-watching
perfection.
The area has three food stations selling burgers, brats
and sandwiches ($5-7) as well as beer, margaritas and all manner of
mixed drinks ($6). Garcia's Mexican restaurant serves as sort of a cart
path cantina with a few tables under a tent and hudreds of people all
around it. Partiers start to gather here around noon for lunch and that
first round of drinks, head to the 16th hole about 1:30 or 2, and return
later in the afternoon.
Then it is on to the legendary Bird's Nest.
Meanwhile, back at the main food court, the scene is no less scenic.
The Greenskeepers
tent, for those with access, is a popular patio party.
The Bird's Nest
After the day's
play, the Bird's Nest is the place to party.
The 16th is indeed sweet and the food
court is fantastic but there's nothing that says "Phoenix Open"
like the Bird's Nest.
How it got that name is anybody's guess but the important thing is
that it's there. And so are thousands of socially-minded singles, enjoying
the beer ($5; cocktails $6), bands, babes and guys. The ratio is pretty
much a healthy 50/50 and this is where the phrase "golf pairings"
takes on a whole new meaning.
A bird's eye view
of the Bird's Nest (below) and down with the action (top).
The Bird's Nest is a fenced-in area in a huge parking lot just outside
of the tournament. The outdoor area is the approximate size of two football
fields and has a warmup band playing until the main band(s) hit the
big stage. That stage is inside a tent and features name bands like
Hootie and the Blowfish, Sheryl Crowe or Cowboy Mouth on Friday. A third
band featuring a horn section called Duck Soup rocks the crowd earlier
on Friday and on Saturday night.
Three words describe the scene at the Bird's Nest, as well as the Phoenix
Open as a whole: It's A Party! The Nest is such a huge and fun party
that several people don't even bother with the golf tournament and instead
just come to it to nest. It's big enough to easily hold the thousands
who flock here as if answering a mating call.
Tickets are $20 at the door but save valuable party time by getting
them upon entering the tournament just beyond the bridge. A $150 VIP
ticket is available and while it includes dinner and drinks, its private
area is separated from the main stage and scene.
It's an extremely organized set-up; drink stations are plentiful inside
and out, waitresses walk around with beers on a tray so often there's
not even a need to go to a bar, there are plenty of port-o-lets (plus
a hand-washing station) and a dozen ATMs ($3.50 service charge). About
the only shortcoming is a lack of food stations and choices.
It roars from about 5-9:30, then folds its wings. This leaves plenty
of time for those who want – or are able – to go out in nearby
Scottsdale. Or just rest up for the next day.
The huge area known as the Bird's Nest is the place to nest at night.
FBR
Phoenix Open Links:
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FBR
Phoenix Open Web Site
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Phoenix/Scottsdale
Bar Guide
PubClub Home Page
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