Kenny Steubs
Today was our final day as Junior Course Reporters at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Despite the cooler weather and overcast skies, it was another great day for golf, and we met so many more interesting people and learned about what goes into making the tournament possible.
Upon arriving today, we made our way out to the course, where we met and talked with Amanda O’Brien, the Social Media Manager for Communication Links. Amanda manages the tournament’s social media and is responsible for updating the Waste Management Phoenix Open website.
We then made our way to the Thunderbird Headquarters. The Thunderbirds are a group of over 300 business leaders, founded in 1937, from around the valley who donate their time as the driving force behind the scenes that make the Phoenix Open possible. The non-profit group donates proceeds from the Waste Management Phoenix Open to various Arizona charities, including the First Tee of Phoenix. Last year alone, over $6,000,000 was donated to local charities. At the Thunderbird Headquarters, we had the opportunity to speak with Tournament Director Tom King, Tournament Executive Director John Bridger, and Assistant Tournament Chairman Danny Calihan. Bridger is in his 24th year with the Thunderbirds, and told us that his favorite Open experience was in 2008, when the tournament was decided by a playoff between Phil Mickelson and J.B. Holmes.
From the Thunderbird Headquarters, we made our way to the Stadium clubhouse, where we met locker room attendant Gary Johnson. Gary works at TPC Scottsdale year-round, and this year is his 11th Phoenix Open at the facility. He told us that his favorite part of the job is working with, and getting to know the players. His most memorable Open was in 2011 when Mark Wilson bested Jason Dufner in a playoff in inclement weather. Gary told us that the locker room staff deals with a lot of emergencies during Phoenix Open week, and that his worst came yesterday when a player cracked the face of his driver. The locker room staff went into a frenzy searching for superglue or anything to make a quick repair.
Also in the clubhouse, we spoke with Brad Williams. Brad served as Head Professional from 2001-2002, and returned last year as General Manager. He told us that his favorite Open was in 2001 when Mark Calcavecchia blew away the field in sleet and wind, breaking multiple tournament scoring records.
For our final activity, we sat in on Bubba Watson’s press conference. During his interview, Bubba touched on the tour’s pace of play issues. He told us that he believes more one-stroke penalties should be issued for slow play, rather than fining the players after multiple offenses. He stated that it would force players to take the issue more seriously; as a one stroke could possibly affect their entire season.
Being a Junior Course Reporter has been such a great experience for me. I met so many great people and learned so much about what it takes to put such a successful tournament together. I would like to thank The First Tee of Phoenix and the Thunderbirds for this amazing experience; I mean, how many 16-year olds get the chance to interview Rickie Fowler?
Trevor Dautzenberg
Today was another great day for us Junior Course Reporters. We first talked with Amanda O’Brien. Amanda is the Art Director for Communication Links in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is responsible for updating the Waste Management Phoenix Open website that anybody can look at. Amanda was taking pictures on the course when we saw her. She noticed us because of our last blogs on the Waste Management Phoenix Open website.
We also had the opportunity to speak with three top Thunderbirds. We met and spoke with Tom King, 2014 Waste Management Phoenix Open Director, John Bridger, Executive Director of the Thunderbirds, and Danny Calihan, Assistant Tournament Director. As they said, The Thunderbirds go from being active till age 45 to being a Life Bird after 45 years old. The Thunderbird Organization raises money for many different charities around the Phoenix area including what I am a part of, The First Tee of Phoenix. Also, The Thunderbirds are in charge of the operations of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. As we were walking around, there was a Thunderbird member paired up with some of the groups to ensure safety and to have answers to any possible questions asked by the players and/or caddies. There are 55 active Thunderbirds and over 250 Life Thunderbirds.
After the Thunderbird Directors we went and talked with Gary Johnson. Gary is the Locker Room Attendant for the TPC Scottsdale and has been doing his job for 11 years. He has been here for some memorable years but his most memorable year was in 2011 when Mark Wilson won in a playoff against Jason Dufner. He also told us a story about how he had to find a way to fix one of the player’s driver as he was walking up to the tee. He ran super glue out to him and the player was applying it as he was on the tee box. This was his most major emergency.
Lastly, we talked to the General Manager of TPC Scottsdale, Brad Williams. Brad spent 2001 & 2002 as the Head Professional at TPC Scottsdale and then left for another job. Last year, he came back and is now the General Manager. His most memorable tournament was in 2001 when Mark Calcavecchia won the Phoenix Open. It was his most memorable because Mark broke scoring records in windy conditions and sleet. Brad is responsible for the ground operations for both courses and many more tasks.
Being a Junior Course Reporter has taught me about how to be a reporter. I had a blast these past two days and I would love to have another great opportunity like this one. I really enjoyed asking these volunteers and employees about their jobs and about some of their past.