Construction of the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open is underway, with a breadth of new venues and seating lined up for golf fans.
The popular event will be held from27 January to 2 February 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and promises expanded and new general admission venues and the expansion of facilities at the 18th hole.
One of those new venues open to the public is the Kiva Club, a multi-level general admission venue located next to Bay Club. Offering views of holes 10 and 17, the venue will provide food and beverage options for purchase. Kiva Club will feature a main viewing deck and a second-level platform with tables and seating across the rail, in addition to a large bar in the middle.
Another public hospitality venue – while not new – is being expanded for the fourth straight year. The area atop the hill overlooking hole 12, hole six green and hole 13 tee will get another upgrade for the 2020 tournament.
The popular general-admission viewing area now named The Ridge presented by Taylor Morrison will double in size, providing a nearly 36,000ft² (3,345m²) viewing platform. It is set to feature lounge-style furniture, food and beverage options, and drink rails on three sides of the giant venue.
The finishing 18th hole is also seeing major expansion. Last year, the new E18hteen venue was introduced and doubled in size from 30 to 60 suites. For 2020, that venue will be matched by the new Scorekeeper suites that will sit directly across from E18hteen on the west side of the 18th fairway. The venue will feature a double-decker, arcum-style structure that will house 60 additional hospitality suites on the 442-yard, par-four finishing hole.
“Each and every year we try to improve upon the previous year, and this year is no different,” said Tim Woods, tournament chairman. “Everyone is aware of our iconic 16th hole and the various popular hospitality venues throughout the course, but our focus the last couple of years has been to enhance the overall experience for our general admission guests, something we are doing again for 2020. The 17th hole has really grown over the last few years, but the majority of that growth was corporate hospitality. It’s such a great hole, we wanted to create a venue for the public to be able to experience it in style and comfort as well.”
Other changes for 2020 include the addition of four new loge suites near the tee box on the south side of the 16th hole that will include Aces Lounge, an exclusive bar for loge patrons aptly named to honour all of the players who have carded a hole-in-one on the famed 16th hole, five new loge suites at the Cove that will offer views of 17 green and 18 tee box, and newly refurbished Greenskeeper suites.
Along with the on-course enhancements, the main WM Phoenix Open tournament entrance will get a brand-new look with an open-air environment that will feature concessions stands, bar areas and activation stations to create a fun, welcoming area for fans and to serve as a meeting place before or after the tournament.
