Aces and Caddy Races

The Waste Management Open is one of my favorite tournaments to watch throughout the PGA Tour season. Even though this tournament lacks the prowess and history of other tournaments; it certainly makes up for it with its creativity.

The tournament takes place in Scottsdale, Arizona at the TPC Scottsdale stadium course. Needing the warm weather, Arizona provides a nice desert environment and climate for a late winter tournament.

The tournament does not require a high level of skill from the players, rather this week is more about how much fun you can have while playing in a professional event.

The first element of the tournament is the low scoring the course allows. As we saw this year in the first round when Phil Mickelson had a putt for 59.

The second and third elements that set this tournament apart take place because of the 16th hole at the Stadium Course.

 

WM-Aerial-of-16

As you can see, this plain par 3 is surrounded by bleachers. Varying around 162 yards in length, this par 3 gives the professionals a chance to aim at the pin and shoot for a hole-in-one. With drunk crowds in the thousands, there is no other environment like it during the PGA Tour season.

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is also home to another young tradition. Caddy Races. Giving the fans a chance to bet on which caddies will reach the green first.

 

 

The combination of the thousands of fans, pin seeking shots, and flying caddies is what makes the 16th the rowdiest hole in golf and what makes the Waste Management open one of a kind.

 

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