Thunderbirds, Waste Management Phoenix Open raise $115,250 for charity

The Thunderbirds — hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open — announced the tournament raised $115,250 through its Faces on 16 campaign, a program that had fans donate money to have their face at the iconic 16th hole during the 2021 tournament

The program was a way to raise additional funds for  charities in need, especially during the current pandemic, according to a press release.

“We’ve seen what other teams and leagues have been doing to showcase ‘virtual’ fans and we just wanted to put our own spin on it at the 16th hole,” said Tournament Chairman Scott Jenkins. “It was awesome to see the response from our fans and how many people quickly donated to offer significant support to our local charities. We continue to say we have the greatest fans in golf and this is a prime example.”

The $115,250 will be distributed to four charities — Arizona Helping Hands, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Teen Lifeline, the press release stated.

The 2021 WM Phoenix Open took place at TPC Scottsdale Feb. 1-7. “The People’s Open” was named Tournament of the Year by the PGA Tour four times in the past six years (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) to acknowledge the tournament’s status as one the most unique events in golf.

The 2021 edition marked the 86th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA Tour) and the 12th as the WM Phoenix Open.

The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 280 “life” members. The Thunderbirds raised a record $14 million for charity from proceeds from the 2020 WM Phoenix Open and have eclipsed $161 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932, the press release stated.

For more information on The Thunderbirds or the 2021 WM Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.