I am fairly confident that if you have shown any interest in the WM Phoenix Open on the weekend, you would have watched the hole in one by Sam Ryder. It was a fantastic shot the resulted in an enthusiastic response from the fans. If you have not seek it, take a look:
The reaction from the crowd garnered some positive and negative comments across social media. I watched live on TV and was amazed at the craziness that ensued. The amount of debris (looked like beer containers) thrown on the par 3, 16th hole was a bit over the top for many. Personally, I think the response from the fans was exactly what the organizers and media outlets expected.
The stadium hole is designed to provide an atmosphere of excess. There is little doubt that the organizers want the fans to be interactive with the players. And littering the hole with beverage containers was expected. Why expected you might say? Well, there were about 30 people (likely volunteers) clearing away the litter once the fans quieted down after a minute of so. Yes, there was a delay in play what the antics the many unfolded, but again I will suggest that the organizers planned for this type of response.
Personally, I am not fussed by the over-the-top reaction of the fans. The 16th hole at the Phoenix Open is designed as a venue like no other in golf. It is designed to allow the fans to be interactive with the players. Every player understands what happens when you play the 16th hole and as such should be prepared to be booed, cheered or experience an over-the-top response to a hole in one. I would not support other venues like the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open, but I do for this one event for professional golf.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Jim, Waste Management probably needed to back up one of their trucks to haul all that junk away! Loved the little garbage truck tee markers too. You don’t see that too often – LOL! Nevertheless, I enjoyed the hole-in-one spectacle. Later in the round, someone’s putt on 16 did jump about 2″ in route to the hole. Probably hit a beer can divot. Rub of the green I guess.
Thanks,
Brian
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brian,
Rub of the green for sure. I still think that the 16th hole at the WM event was designed for exactly what happened. The number of cans might have been excessive, but it was entertaining.
Cheers Jim
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with Kevin. It is one thing to have good natured crowd interaction, but throwing cans and other things goes way beyond reasonable in any sport.
It appears that the organizers expected and planned for this by design. The WM company portrays itself as being a good citizen by encouraging sustainability and on the other hand condoning drunken idiots littering the course with debris.
This is not the right way to promote the game in my opinion and I would not attend this event even if the tickets were free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lorne,
I can see your point, however I think that if the scenario is set for a specific reaction, that it is not a bad thing to embrace it. Yes, the amount of cans was excessive, but the crowd mentality seemed to take over.
Cheers Jim
LikeLike
Littering that golf course may be expected, but beer cans reaching the green is something that could effect later players putts. That I don’t condone. Not from the crowds and not from WM or PGA officials. The rest of the spectacle I don’t care about. The cheers and the boo’s aren’t a hindrance to the players and they all face the same treatment. But denting greens goes too far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kevin
It is likely never going to stop. Your view is understood and respected.
Cheers Jim
LikeLike