Chaos at the WM Phoenix Open: Bad Weather and Huge Crowds Lead to Controversial Alcohol Ban
The WM Phoenix Open, held in Scottsdale, Arizona, has come to a close after a week of chaos and unexpected challenges. The tournament was marred by bad weather conditions and an overwhelming number of attendees, leading to controversial decisions made by tournament officials. One of the most contentious moves was the decision to ban the sale of alcohol on the golf course.
The impact of the bad weather on the course conditions was undeniable. The heavy rain turned the usual seating areas into muddy and unusable spaces, forcing fans to crowd together in limited areas. This created an environment unlike anything bartender Dustin Williamson had ever witnessed in his seven years on the course. “We’re jampacked, 50 people deep in lines, and I’m in the middle of making drinks for these two people, and our manager comes up to us and says we’re not serving alcohol anymore,” Williamson recalled. “And we’re all just kind of looking around at each other like, what the hell? What do you mean they put a pause on it?”
The decision to halt alcohol sales was not taken lightly. Scottsdale Fire’s Dave Folio explained that it was a necessary measure to ensure public safety. “If we can save one person’s life through the decisions that are made in that command center…” Folio stated. The command center leader made the call to stop alcohol sales when a massive influx of approximately 25,000 people arrived at the front entrance around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Remarkably, this decision proved effective as people started to leave the premises.
Despite the potential benefits for public safety, the alcohol ban left many frustrated, including vendors and bartenders who rely on tips for their livelihood. Williamson estimated that he and his colleagues lost over $500 in tips due to the sudden halt in alcohol sales. “There were a lot of people that were very frustrated,” he expressed. “Because people come from out of town, they’ll fly here to work this event because of how lucrative it can be.”
The chaotic circumstances of the WM Phoenix Open on Saturday have raised questions about how such issues could have been prevented and what changes might be implemented in future tournament protocols. However, attempts to obtain a response from tournament officials regarding these concerns were unsuccessful.
The WM Phoenix Open of 2024 will be remembered as a week filled with challenges and controversies. The impact of bad weather on the course conditions, coupled with the overwhelming number of attendees, led to the unprecedented decision to ban alcohol sales. While this move aimed to prioritize public safety, it also left vendors and bartenders frustrated by the financial losses incurred. As the tournament comes to a close, it remains to be seen what lessons will be learned and how future events will be managed to avoid similar chaos.