Of all the holes in professional golf, the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open – TPC Scottsdale, is my favorite. The Phoenix Open is self-touted as “The Greatest Show on Grass”! I would have to agree, only because of the 16th hole. It is unlike any other in golf hole because of the atmosphere, design and antics by the fans and players. I could watch the 16th hole all day!
At 163 yards, this hole more akin the sports game played in a stadium, but is only one small part for the entire round. All the give aways, the shouting, the pressure of making a poor shot, the excitement of making a great shot provides a roller coaster of emotion all day long. If a professional thinks they are going to get out of the 16th hole unaffected, they need to re-examine their approach to golf.
The Waste Management is a fun event, I would be remiss if I did not identify the great charity work this professional tournament provides. “The Waste Management Phoenix Open and the tournament host Thunderbirds raise money for charities, most of which provide programs that benefit youth. Recent beneficiaries include Phoenix Children’s Hospital, First Tee of Phoenix, Special Olympics Arizona, Homeward Bound, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Waste Not, Junior Golf Association of Arizona, Elevate Phoenix, A New Leaf and Tumbleweed. The 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open raised more than $10.1 million dollars for charity, setting a tournament record, and The Thunderbirds have raised more than $122 million in the tournament’s 82-year history. (WMPO)
Do you like the 16th hole?
I am grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I do like the fan participation on #16. That’s unique for sure. But for golf holes, I’d pick #7 at Pebble Beach.
And for one I’ve played there’s a cliff hole at a course called Innsbruck in Helen Georgia. It’s only 135 yards long and it’s deeper than it is long, and it’s totally blind from the tee box. And if you play it early in the morning it can even be blind looking over the rail at the edge by the cart path as the hollow it sits in fills up with fog. They put a monster sized fan down there to try and blow the fog away to allow you to at least see the top of the flag but even that doesn’t always work. It’s like hitting into a cloud from the heavens.
The town under the course is like a little swiss village. And it’s full of christmas and chocolate shops that never fail to entertain the wife and family so you don’t have to feel guilt about golfing.
LikeLike
Kevin
The adventure of playing fun holes never stops. I have played holes similar to the one you described at Innsbruck. They add the touch of excitement. I would suggest that the crowd at 16 in Phoenix and the stadium is the real draw. The hole itself is not that difficult. Except for Poults 😉
Cheers
Jim
LikeLike
Counterpoint: After watching the carnage after the superbowl, maybe it’s best to keep a tight grip on fan participation in golf. Just a thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin
We all know that golfing fans are much better behaved. 😂
Cheers Jim
LikeLike