Waste Management Phoenix Open 2026

What is the connection between The Thunderbirds and the Phoenix Open?

Well firstly, we do not mean the International Rescue team, but the group formed by the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in 1937.

There was a need for a special events committee to venture into new fields. Five young executives were selected to lead the committee. The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce suggested that the committee become an “official” group and expand its membership. Each of the five then selected ten additional members to make up a committee of 55. The Thunderbird name was chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was, and still is, a Thunderbird derived from American Indian symbols.

One of the early inductees was Bob Goldwater, an avid golfer. Goldwater thought it would be a great idea to sponsor a golf tournament. That first year, Goldwater sold the tickets, recruited volunteers, and set up the golf course at Phoenix Country Club.

The Phoenix Open caught on, and in 79 years, has developed into one of the leading stops on the PGA TOUR. Goldwater was Tournament Chairman from 1934 through 1951 and is affectionately called the “Father of The Phoenix Open.”

Active Thunderbird membership is limited to 55 members. Each has demonstrated a sincere interest in sports and a dedication to community affairs. All Thunderbird activities and events are the prime responsibility of these Active Thunderbirds and are under the watchful eye of the Big Chief and Thunderbird Council.

When a Thunderbird reaches the age of 45, their status changes from Active to that of Life Member. Although they are relieved of continuous duties, the term “Never Life” was adopted in the early 2000’s as it is not unusual for Life Thunderbirds to remain very active at the tournament and other Thunderbird-sponsored events year-round.

To date, there are nearly 350 members comprising The Thunderbirds organization.

With over 400 golf courses in the state of Arizona, you'll be sure to find a course for you! Scottsdale is located at the very heart of the state and is one of the USA’s top golf trip destinations. While access to TPC Scottsdale at this time of year is unlikely, there is an incredible array of mesmorising desert courses to experience.

Here are some of our favourite golf clubs in Scottsdale:

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club

The award-winning We-Ko-Pa hosts two fantastic courses, Cholla and Saguaro, which boast an oasis of greenery contrasting against the desert landscape. Both are of an excellent standard, offering views of McDowell Mountains alongside arroyos and desert ridges – an excellent golf club!

Troon North Golf Club

Another two-course club with a global reputation, Troon North Golf Club is a special place to play. The property weaves in and out of the natural ravines and foothills, with Giant granite boulders, creating an idyllic environment in which to enjoy a round of golf.

Grayhawk Golf Club

The beloved Grayhawk Golf Club is home to two premier layouts in the Raptor Course and Talon Course. The Raptor is a Tom Fazio design with generous fairways, sweeping undulations, and deep bunkers, while the Talon is the shorter of the two and places an importance on accuracy. That said, both are kept to a very high standard.

Alternatively:

For a true stay & play experience, then we’d highly recommend one of our top resorts – The Boulders Resort, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort, and The Westin Kierland.

The Boulders Resort is luxurious, stylish, and is uniquely carved into the surrounding landscape. Two excellent on-site courses create one of our favourite destinations in Arizona.

The Hyatt Regency is a five-star haven with a great mix of home comforts and activities such as tennis courts and cycling trails. On-site is 27-holes of pristine golf in Gainey Ranch, often ranked within the Top 75 golf courses in America courtesy of Golf Digest.

Conveniently located 30-minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, among the McDowell Mountains and Sonoran Desert, The Westin Kierland proudly stands as one of our leading stay & play resorts. A hotel, kept to a five-star standard, will provide everything you could want from your Scottsdale experience, while Kierland Golf Course is 27-holes of pure joy.