WM Phoenix Open prices let some wonder about the focus of tournament

On February 7, 2025By Littum

Anthony Lo and Christopher Pennant
| Especially for the Republic

Waste management promotes the Phoenix Open as the greenest show on grass, a nod to its extensive environmentally friendly initiatives during the week -long competition. But this year’s “Green” may be less about compostable tools and more about the significant price tag for recording and VIP experiences, leaving some locals wondering if the tournament’s biggest influence is on their wallets.

Tournament costs in 2025 have increased significantly from last year, from entry fees to merchandise to food and drinks. In some cases, prices have risen 60%. In addition, lavish VIP packages are advertised, such as a $ 250,000 hotel package In which tournament guests flew in via private jet and have access to other “luxury” facilities.

The most notable addition this year are the special seats next to the tee box in the famous 16th hole. Faters have access to a separate entrance tunnel directly next to the players’ tunnel and an unlimited hospitality package throughout the day.

The price? $ 24,000 per Seat per Day.

Dan Fox, a long -time member of Thunderbirds, a charity that runs the tournament, has managed the 16th hole since 2008 and says the tournament just follows a trend.

“This will be the hottest thing to put on all the other venues,” Fox said. “They would do it as a court in a Lakers game.”

Even for the non-so-weatlhy Golffan, the price of the entrance on “The People’s Open” has risen. By 2020, general access for all four days of the tournament was $ 210. This year is $ 400.

“As a native in Arizona, it is disappointing to know my father used to come here (in 1990) for $ 24, and he could sit in the (16th hole’s seats) for $ 50,” said Cody Clark, 35, a native In Arizona.

Last year, Clark and his wife, Allie, decided to replace $ 800 for two Skybox seats at No. 16, but this weekend’s rain flushed most of the tournament. This year they paid $ 150 for two bleaching seats at 16. They had a good overview of the action, they said but no shelter against the sun.

“(Last year) was in the price range where we, a nurse and firefighter, could kind of afford it, but not really, and it was figured out,” he said. “This year is out of our price range. We got different passports, different everything because we couldn’t afford to go over there. “

The same seats on the 16th hole for Saturday sold for more than $ 2,000 through ticket dealer VIVIDEATS. Fans were treated with unlimited parts of braised short ribs and garlic paddles chicken with an open bar.

On the other hand, participants in general recordings had to pay for pedestrian options consisting of $ 8 hot dogs, $ 15 chicken teat and french fries. Nachos was $ 16. Available drinks included $ 14 beer, $ 15 cocktails and $ 6 soda.

Some people have found creative ways to save money. At last year’s WM Phoenix Open, Spencer Lash found his ticket to the rest of the tournament and viral fame through a cactus costume.

“Someone carried this on the course, but it was all muddy and they left it there on the side of the fairway because they wouldn’t tackle it anymore,” Lash said. “I found what I put it on and I sent up my arms next to a cactus in the like, 45 minutes without moving. And soon enough was a huge crowd around me. “

Lash said he got free tickets for the rest of the tournament from “random” fans and took a suit on the road, even skiing it. He pulled Cactus Getup again this year, but only for Wednesday’s Pro-Am.

Other people have not been as lucky as Lash to access.

“We can’t afford to bring our children,” said Allie Clark. “I would, if I felt it was financially possible, but it would definitely put us in a bad place if we did.”

When asked if she thought the nickname of the tournament, “The People’s Open,” was still appropriate, Allie Clark summarized her thoughts briefly.

“It’s the open people of the rich people,” she said.

Anthony Lo and Christopher Pennant are graduate students at Northwesterns Medill School of Journalism.