"Like a bar on St. Patrick’s Day, the WMPO is given over to the raucous"

The Waste Management Phoenix Open arrives and while the event draws praise for injecting the PGA Tour schedule with energy and youthful antics, there is an uglier side, writes Eamon Lynch for Golfweek.

He writes:

There is much to admire about the WMPO in daylight hours, too. It has raised more than $120 million for charity and every year draws more fans than any other PGA Tour stop – 655,434 in 2017. But some other statistics aren’t so admirable.

Last year there were 118 arrests at TPC Scottsdale, most for alcohol-related incidents, a figure that doesn’t include DUI busts as spectators hook and slice their way home along the highways. The Scottsdale Police Department tried to manage the wasted, offering free Breathalyzer tests at the exit in 2016. Nine thousand fans – roughly 1.5 percent of attendees that week – took the test. Four thousand of them were over the limit.

It would be nice if more tournaments could create energetic mini-arenas, minus the DUI's. Matt Adams and I debated on Golf Central.

Comments

[George]

This is one of the best events on tour and while I hate to hear about dui, the tour would do well to incorporate parts of this tournament into the rest of the season - the 16th, the laid back atmosphere, and so on. Emerging fans want more of the spring break golf and less reminders than most courses are stodgy private clubs where flair and energy are frowned upon. As a member of such a club, I know the struggle is real.

[Chema]

Couldn't agree more with Mr. Lynch. The 16th hole is an abomination and a milepost on our road to cultural decline. I wish every week were Masters week.

[munihack]

"Win the crowd and you win your freedom"...from heckling.

[Manku]

While I on't drink much anymore (hangovers and bad sleep), a couple 20 large ipa's at 7% alcohol will put you over the limit these days...enough for a nice buzz, but hardly hammered.

I'd like to know what percentage of members of swanky clubs are over the limit after their weekly functions! Probably higher :)

[John]

Four THOUSAND people took a Breathalyzer and failed -- and they took the test voluntarily. That's pretty darned incredible.

Hey, it's all good fun, it's unique, I'll make a point of watching on TV this weekend. It's not the end of Western civilization. But yeah, one of these drunk fans could drive outta the place and kill a Tour player or his family. That would put the WMPO in deep compost.

[FC]

WMPO 16 makes my golf year. "Noonan" needs a comeback. Thunderbirds, make it happen.

[the Q]

And the percentages after an NFL game? Do they put the breathalyzers in stadia after college games? Methinks the results would be similar.

[Worthington]

trash golf