Waste Management Phoenix Open » WM PHOENIX OPEN BLOG

Traffic Tips for the WM Phoenix Open

WM Phoenix Open Staff — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:02:10 +0000

The 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open will once again generate a lot of excitement for all of us in The Valley of the Sun. Players, caddies, PGA Tour officials, tournament sponsors and their guests and a hundreds of thousands of patrons will hit town at about the same time…beginning early next week. This will bring a lot of very important economic activity to Arizona, and we couldn’t be more delighted. Along with longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures due to the later calendar date for this year’s tournament, we expect a nice increase in attendance from our friends in Canada and many parts of the U.S., let alone thousands of golf fans right here in the Greater Phoenix Area.

Based on prior experience, we know that Tournament Week will create a lot of traffic around TPC Scottsdale, and that oftentimes means you’ll wind up in a traffic jam a few times next week. We enourage you to use one of the alternatives open to our patrons. That will make tournament week more enjoyable for you, and it will give you more time to enjoy watching great golf!

FREE Public Parking is available (with free shuttle access to the tournament gates). From the West, public parking is at Loop 101 and Hayden Road. Officials recommend that eastbound Loop 101 drivers exit at Hayden, and drive south to enter the parking lot on the west side of the road. From the East, parking is at WestWorld. Officials recommend that drivers exit the Loop 101 at Raintree and head east to 94^th St, then north to Bell Road. Head west on Bell Road into the WestWorld parking lot.

The FREE shuttles will operate Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm; and Sunday from 6:30 am to 6 pm.

Taxi cab service will be available just outside of the tournament and Birds Nest entrances throughout the week. Taxis will not be permitted to make roadside pickups, so patrons wishing to utilize taxi services should proceed to the designated taxi stands. Please follow the signs directing you to the taxi stands.

You can find complete details on all of the available resources for getting to and from the tournament by jumping to the information we’ve made available on our web site. In addition, we’ve provided a place for your to view and download a copy of a TPC Scottsdale site map that may also help you get around the Waste Management Phoenix Open with ease.

With the weather looking great, a strong field of competitors and a superb tournament venue, we can’t wait for the start of what we hope will be one of the best tournaments ever.

Come on out and enjoy outstanding golf at The Waste Management Phoenix Open, “The Greatest Show on Grass.”

WM Phoenix Open Goes Green – What Does That Mean?

WM Phoenix Open Staff — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:48:51 +0000

As February draws closer, excitement surrounding the Waste Management Phoenix Open continues to grow. Valley residents and golf fans nationwide are curious about the sustainability initiatives that will soon be part of one of the most popular tournaments on the PGA TOUR. But what exactly does it take to minimize the environmental footprint of an event as large as the Waste Management Phoenix Open? What does Waste Management bring to the table when tackling this challenge? The answer is in the 4 R’s—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover—which is this year’s theme for the Greatest Show on Grass.

Reduce

An easy way to help the environment is to reduce the amount of waste that is created. This year, Waste Management will introduce solar trash compactors, which reduce the number of cardboard trash boxes you’d typically see along the course. Powered by a solar panel on top, the machine compacts the trash when triggered. Since the compactor holds five times more trash than a regular container, we’re also reducing the number of trips it takes to empty it.

We’ve teamed up with tournament vendors to eliminate some of the plastic cups used to serve beverages along the course. Though the cups can be recycled, the ideal scenario is to reduce their use. So this year, soda and beer will be served right out of the cans, instead of being poured into plastic cups (though cups will be used to serve spirits).

TIP: A simple way for you to “reduce” at home is to eliminate those water bottles—choose an insulated cup instead and refill it.

Reuse

Reuse is another important factor of sustainability, one that is sparking industry and innovation. Products made from reused materials are popping up all over the place, from paper to carpet to park benches. At the 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open, souvenir cups will be introduced at Corporate Village to encourage fans to reuse at home. Plus, event tickets are being printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

TIP: To help at home, choose reusable grocery bags while shopping instead of paper or plastic.

Recycle

Two years ago, Waste Management introduced recycling to the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This year, we’re taking it to the next level. Our goal is to increase the overall diversion rate, which simply means we’ll be keeping more materials out of the landfill. We’re putting recycling stations all along the course that will be staffed by volunteers during peak hours to encourage fans to recycle. Our GreenOps Reverse Vending Machines, which give out points or prizes in exchange for aluminum cans or plastic bottles, will be showcased in crowded areas to give fans an incentive to recycle. We’re also looking at ways to recycle some of the larger waste streams, like carpet and scrim.

TIP: At home, make sure to keep your recyclables as clean as possible. Certain food containers that are not recyclable can sometimes contaminate all the materials in your recycle bin.

Recover

Waste Management finds ways to turn waste into a resource. We operate plants nationwide that are capable of powering over a million homes utilizing landfill gas-to-energy technology. Our Altamont, CA landfill converts landfill gas to natural gas, which is then used to fuel 200 of our trucks. Since the conversion process requires large amounts of moisture, it’s difficult for us to bring these types of projects to the Valley of the Sun. But we’re working on ways to change that.

What’s Next?

Though we have taken solid steps this year to make the Waste Management Phoenix Open more sustainable, this is definitely a work in progress. Our goal is to assess and to improve each year. We’re excited about the challenges ahead, and we are thrilled to be playing such an important role in the Greatest Show on Grass. See you in February!

Welcome to the WM Phoenix Open Blog!

WM Phoenix Open Staff — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:35:46 +0000

Welcome to the Waste Management Phoenix Open Blog on the new WMPhoenixOpen.com.

We’re excited to have Waste Management on board as the new title sponsor for the golf tournament. Waste Management’s involvement with the tournament will not only allow the tournament host Thunderbirds to continue to raise millions of dollars for charity each year, but will also make the event the “greenest” on the PGA TOUR. The Waste Management Phoenix Open will be a major platform for showcasing Waste Management’s Think Green® solutions. Waste Management, known for its leadership in collection, transportation, disposal and recycling, also provides waste solutions like practical and sustainable renewable energy alternatives, comprehensive sustainability evaluations and new technologies to recover the resource in waste. The tournament is a way to showcase these solutions, which help customers and communities reduce waste while reducing cost and creating positive change for the environment.

And while “the Greatest Show on Grass” is now “the Greenest Show on Grass,” fans can still expect the same exciting atmosphere for which the tournament has become legendary. Once again in 2010, the world famous 16^th hole will be a fully enclosed stadium with general admission and skybox seating for up to 15,000 enthusiastic fans. After a successful debut at the 2009 FBR Open, The Tilted Kilt Beer Garden returns along the 18^th hole and will provide tournament goers a great place to catch some golf action while enjoying a refreshing beverage.

New to the 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Michelob Ultra Champions Pavilion will be open to all fans and will not require a separate ticket for entry. Located between the 2^nd and 9^th greens, The Champions Pavilion has a sports lounge feel complete with plasma televisions, live scoring monitors, bar service and plenty of comfortable seating. The Champions Pavilion features a fantastic menu of food entrees, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks all available for purchase.

That’s all for now. Check back in the coming days and weeks for more WM Phoenix Open blog posts.