Security, ticket prices increase at WM Phoenix Open
Dec 16, 2013, 5:00 AM | Updated: 9:36 am
PHOENIX — Golf fans will see some new things at the next Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Fans will be greeted with tighter security and slightly higher ticket prices.
Tournament Chairman Tom King said every fan coming into the TPC of Scottsdale will be wanded.
“In light of things like (bombing of) the Boston Marathon, and the fact that our event is 500,000-plus (people) event … we thought we should put some policies in place,” King said. “If you’re doing it the right way, and we’re planning it out well in advance, it should be a smooth operation.”
King said the tournament enlisted the help of Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill to develop a security policy. He said that the procedures will be much the same as fans go through to get into Arizona Cardinals games at University of Phoenix stadium.
Ticket prices will be higher for the tournament, up from $25 to $30.
“It’s the first increase in eight years,” King said. “We took all of that money and we want to invest it back into different things to make it a better experience for the fan.”
One of those things are ten new cabanas that will be at the 18th hole.
King said there’s a good field of players shaping up for this year’s tournament.
“We’ve got Lee Westwood coming for the first time, and that’s a big name,” King said. “Padre Harrington had so much fun from Ireland that he’s coming back, Ricky Fowler is in, Bubba Watson of course is in.”
Defending champion Phil Mickelson — a three-time winner — will also be there.
O.A.R., Jake Owen, Weezel and Metalhead will be playing at the Bird’s Nest during the tournament, which takes place Jan. 29 through Feb. 2.
