The scope of the mayhem at the TPC Scottsdale WM Phoenix Open last month has been made public by police papers.
The Arizona Republic claims that previously unreleased police reports from the PGA Tour event, which is well-known for its wild atmosphere, detail several disruptions and medical problems, including three allegations of assaults.
Between February 5 and 11, 54 persons were arrested by police at TPC Scottsdale, which is a record number for the yearly competition and more than three times the figure from the year before.
Police were summoned to events at the course an average of every three minutes during the height of the turmoil, with most of the calls pertaining to the 16th stadium hole, a well-known party location known as “the loudest hole in golf.”
On Saturday, February 10, the tournament experienced crowding due to reports that attendees were admitted without having their tickets scanned in order to “reduce pressure at the entrance gates,” which resulted in numerous ticket holders being later refused entry.
As security battled to control the enormous throng within the gates and the vast number of inebriated supporters causing disturbances, organizers decided to stop selling alcohol.
At the Phoenix Open, a police officer catches a fan.
Fans who were impacted have already received refunds for about 2,800 tickets; but, as refund requests can still be made until the end of this month, the total is anticipated to increase.
Scottsdale police received 395 calls during the tournament, of which 224 came on Friday and Saturday. Of these calls, 48 were for medical issues, 39 were about persons making disturbances, and 28 were for welfare checks, according to the Arizona Republic’s research.
Many professional golfers and spectators were dissatisfied with the event’s disorder and disorganization, and some wondered if they would come back the next year. Several players expressed their dissatisfaction at the time, with American Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson among them. He was heard on the broadcast imploring spectators to “just shut up” and “I’m sick of it.”
Additionally, Billy Horschel was observed berating a spectator who yelled at him as one of his teammates was about to make a shot. Horschel yelled, “Buddy, shut the hell up man when he’s over a shot.” “He’s trying to hit a damn golf shot here – it’s our f***ing job.”
The executive director of the non-profit organization that oversees the Phoenix Open, Chance Cozby, told the Arizona Republic that measures will be taken to ensure that this year’s incident doesn’t happen again.
