The FBR Open is my favorite sporting event of the year. For me, it’s better than any regular season Suns game, or Diamondbacks game, and certainly there isn’t a Cardinal game that is annually compelling enough to be “must see”. As deep as my loyalties run, the FBR Open even trumps the annual ASU vs U of A football.
Accordingly, almost every year I find a way to get out to see at least one day of the action, often following around my favorite player for half the day, and then finding a nice spot between the 15th and 16th to take in the spectacle that is one of the most famous holes in golf. And speaking of the 16th at the TPC of Scottsdale, this year the Thunderbirds (the tournament hosts for the FBR Open) have completely surrounded the hole with grandstands. Over the last few years, they’ve been adding more and more to it, and this year it is 100% surrounded. Stadium seating at the FBR Open? Check.
Speaking of the 16th hole, I heard the Thunderbirds say that if you take the 16th hole and compare it to the majority of PGA golf tournaments, by attendance, merchandising, sky boxes, etc., that the 16th hole of the FBR Open by itself does better than most of the other PGA tour events. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised if the 16th hole is “presented by XYZ Company” in the future. The 16th hole at the FBR Open is truly an event, and if you haven’t taken in the spectacle, you are truly missing out.
One of the many allures to the FBR Open is that the fun doesn’t end when the final putt is sunk each day. The Birds Nest is where those that wish to continue the party go to hang out and enjoy some great live music. This year, the Thunderbirds have outdone themselves, securing O.A.R. on Thursday night, which is sure to please the many ASU students that attend the FBR Open and then wander over to the Birds Nest.
General admission tickets for the FBR Open are $25/day for each day, Wednesday through Sunday. A ticket to the Birds Nest is also $25. Other ticket options are available, which include food, beverages, beer, and wine (including the Chairman’s Club ticket for only $5000 for the week). And by the way, if you have a spare Chairman’s Club ticket that would otherwise be going to waste…I’ll gladly join your “crew” for the week.
General admission parking is free. All other parking options require some form of pass, including valet parking, which are provided to corporate sponsors and those buying the more expensive ticket options. The general admission parking lots are primarily near Westworld, almost 2 miles from the front gates, and buses will shuttle you back and forth to you car. Parking and getting into the FBR Open is pretty quick and easy. But if you stay to the end of the day, you can expect a good line at the shuttle buses to get back to your car. More than a few times I’ve ridden my bicycle to the Open, which is by far the fastest way to get in and out. And an even better option, if you are thinking about partying it up into the night, is to take a cab to the front gates.
Finally, I’m targeting Friday to be there this year. With the 24 hrs in the Old Pueblo bike race in mid-February, I need to get a good training ride in on Saturday. And there’s this football game on Sunday that has most of Phoenix in an uproar that looks like it’ll be interesting. As a result, I’m doing my best to keep Friday open to head out and take in the golf. If you are planning to be there Friday, tweet me, or call me, or comment here and let me know. I’d love to meet up.
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