Phoenix Open organizers won't answer questions about event chaos

Representatives of the group responsible for running the WM Phoenix Open were nowhere to be found four days after the golf tournament descended into chaos over the weekend.

Police made record numbers of arrests. Loud, drunken fans infuriated pro golfers so much they threatened not to come back to one of the region's marquee sporting events. That, plus long lines, huge crowds of unruly fans and ticketing problems led many longtime fans to make the same threats.

The Thunderbirds, a nonprofit organization, runs the Open in Scottsdale each year. The group was launched by the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in 1937 when the chamber became interested in hosting special events and has about 350 members today, according to its website.

The full membership list isn't publicly available, but its most recently available tax form lists 19 officers and directors.

The Arizona Republic has reached out to about a dozen of them over the past week, including Executive Director Chance Cozby, tournament Chairman George Thimsen and Thunderbirds board member and Arizona Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall.

None has responded.

Hall and another board member, oral surgeon Michael Golding, acknowledged The Republic's request but declined to comment. Thunderbirds public relations manager Ryan Woodcock did not respond to multiple calls, despite Cozby's office directing The Republic to him.

The silence comes as Scottsdale and Arizona residents want answers about why the 2024 Phoenix Open has made unflattering national headlines, and as questions arose about the reputation of the event, which raises millions of dollars for charities each year.

In the four days since problems at the tournament peaked Saturday, the Thunderbirds have not answered those questions.

'Loss of respect': 2024 WM Phoenix Open fan behavior, viral video anger golfer

After the tournament ended in dramatic fashion, the WM Phoenix Open posted on its website: "On behalf of The Thunderbirds, title sponsor WM and the PGA TOUR, the WM Phoenix Open would like to extend an enormous thank you to our volunteers and, of course, the very best fans in golf. Thank you for an outstanding tournament! We’ll see you next year at 'The People’s Open!'”

It has posted nothing since.

The Thunderbirds and the Open came under the spotlight after events Saturday. Scores of fans were arrested and hundreds ejected, as crowds, mud and alcohol threatened to overwhelm the event. Thousands of attendees may have entered without a ticket. Once inside, some fans heckled incensed golfers, and crowds were so rowdy that the tournament halted alcohol sales.

Chance Cozby, the executive director for the Thunderbirds told the Golf Channel on Monday that "nothing is off the table" in regard to potential changes involving the fan experience at the TPC Scottsdale event.

"Saturday at WM Phoenix Open in 2024 is going to end up being a turning point for our tournament and our organization to make our event better," he said in his comments to the Golf Channel.

So far, no one from the organization has offered details about why the 2024 tournament got so out of control or what changes might be under consideration.

Some Scottsdale officials, such as City Councilmember Kathy Littlefield, are concerned the "disappointing" events of 2024 may affect future Phoenix Opens. That could deliver a massive economic hit because the tournament generates a half-billion dollars in statewide economic benefits each year, according to Arizona State University research.

Other officials, like Councilmember Barry Graham, worry about the reputational damage to the city after one of its biggest events went so far off the rails.

"I think it reflects negatively on Scottsdale. I think it's a burden to our residents. I don't think what happened is who we are," he said. "My concerns are Scottsdale residents and Scottsdale's image. So, I really want to see the sponsors (fix it)."

Graham added, "If they don't, I think we'll have to look at our options."

Changes vowed: Scottsdale leaders react to 'disappointing' Phoenix Open fiasco

Reporter Sam Kmack covers Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler. Follow him on X @KmackSam or reach him at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Open organizers remain tight-lipped after event chaos