WMPO: The People’s Open
Every year all the cool kids come to Scottsdale for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The date varies but the last day of WMPO is Superbowl Sunday so it’s easy to figure out.
Who Cares About Golf?
OK. I realize it is a golfing tournament and there are probably some people that go to WMPO to watch golf. I have never met any of these people. Of all the times I have been to The People’s Open I have always been aware that the whole event is around a golf tournament. I was never more aware of it than the first year when I was (as usual) improperly shod. Do not wear stilettos to a golf course unless you want to spend the day aerating the whole course. 😏
A Party Centered Around Golf
So the Phoenix Open is a week long event over by TPC Stadium Course in Scottsdale. This year the tournament starts January 31st and ends on Superbowl Sunday February 3rd.
How To Prepare For WMPO
The first thing to know is that there is a lot of drinking. When drinking there should be no driving. Every Uber, Lyft, limo and taxi driver is waiting to whisk you away from the Open so don’t bother driving there. It’s important to also note that every cop around town has gathered to help you make the right decision – don’t drink and drive.
- Don’t Wear Rompers (portable toilets get messy)
- Do Wear Wedges (stilettos sink into the grass) – looking sexy is part of the scene
- Be prepared for rain – the weather may cooperate but it USUALLY rains one day of WMPO and this year it is looking like that could happen on Saturday
- Wear Green on Saturday for ALL DAY GREEN OUT
- Don’t Drink And Drive (seriously, don’t do it)
Calendar of Events
Monday January 27th
This is for practice rounds for PGA Tour pros only. If you actually do like golf this is a great day to go because no one is in hardcore party mode yet.
Tuesday January 28th
This is another day of practice rounds but this day has some motivational speeches, a trick shot show, a junior golf clinic and people are starting to show up at their Sky Boxes so it’s like a practice drinking day too.
Wednesday January 29th
This is the fun day to go because it’s Pro-Am. You’ll get to see football players like Emmitt Smith playing golf. The Phoenix Suns also have a Shot at Glory at the 16th hole and the Bird’s Nest gets started.
Thursday January 30th
This is the first day of the tournament. All bets are off on the drinking. Don’t plan to be sober for the next four days. When you finish watching golf head to the Bird’s Nest.
Friday January 31st
Yay! It’s February! Only two weeks til Valentine’s day! 💖 So you got WMPO and Bird’s Nest and there’s plenty of golfing going on. Lots of people take off from work to attend today because they want to avoid going on the weekend. People mistakenly think it will be less crazy today. It’s still crazy, trust me!
Saturday February 1st
This day is a shit show and must be attended at least once in your life. It’s so much fun. Everyone has lost their minds, no one wears enough clothing, Hole 16 is out of control and usually, it’s rainy so there’s lots of mud. The whole day is a complete blast, from people watching, streakers, antics, people in costumes and if you watch closely you will probably see a hole in one. Also wearing green is encouragest since this is the Greatest Show On Grass. Just embrace the chaos and enjoy yourself and you will have plenty of stories later.
Sunday February 2nd
This is also a great day to go because a lot of people partied too much the day before. There are lots of bloody Mary’s being consumed but people are still having a great time. In recent years Sundays have become a big party day because people are still up from the partying in Old Town the night before.
Enjoy Yourself
Whether you like golf or don’t, just forget all your pre-conceived ideas about golf and go see the show. Everyone has to do it at least once. It’s a super fun time with 600,000 other people. If you do it right, you’ll have a fabulous time and you will leave with a smile on your face and some funny ass stories to tell your friends that are back home freezing in the snow.
#wmpo #thepeoplesopen #digyourlife #digscottsdale
