x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
The WM Phoenix Open’s best moments happened before the tournament even started
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
News

The WM Phoenix Open’s best moments happened before the tournament even started

By: Jessica Marksbury
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
February 10, 2025
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
The 23rd annual Dream Day at the WM Phoenix Open was attended by 562 grade-school kids.

The 23rd annual Dream Day at the WM Phoenix Open was attended by 562 grade-school kids.

Jessica Marksbury

The WM Phoenix Open has made a name for itself as the loudest, wildest and best-attended tournament on the PGA Tour schedule. But what Thursday-Sunday viewers don’t often see is the impact of community-focused early-week events.

I’ve been attending the WM Phoenix Open for nearly 15 years, and this year was the first time I had the opportunity to observe Dream Day and the Celebrity Putting Challenge — and I was blown away by the emotional impact of the initiatives, both of which were staged on Tuesday morning of tournament week at TPC Scottsdale.

What is Dream Day? It’s a chance for grade-school kids from Phoenix Title I elementary schools to experience the excitement and atmosphere of a golf course during a PGA Tour tournament week. This year, the event’s 23rd anniversary, 562 kids in grades 4-6 converged on TPC Scottsdale’s Champions driving range in a dozen school buses. The kids were greeted by a cheering section of nearly 100 volunteers, members of the Thunderbirds — the philanthropic organization that hosts the WM Phoenix Open — and every Arizona team mascot you can think of. The event is sponsored by the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation in partnership with the First Tee of Phoenix, which offers a school-based program to Title I schools that enables them to add golf to their physical education curriculum. The program is currently being used by 176 schools in Phoenix.

Slide 1
1/2
Jessica Marksbury
Slide 2
2/2
Jessica Marksbury

Dream Day is essentially a field trip for the lucky attendees, and upon arrival, the kids collected some cool swag and had a chance to engage with some local celebrities. A trick-shot artist provided entertainment, and Arizona local Chez Reavie made an appearance, too. Lunch was provided, and ample time to hit a variety of shots. It was an awesome intro to the game for the kids — many of whom had never set foot on a golf course before.

“The thank-you cards that we get every year afterward would just melt your heart,” said First Tee Phoenix Executive Director Erin McDonough. “Those responses are what makes this one of our premier events throughout the year, and demonstrate what an impact we’re making with kids locally.”

Greg Hoyt is a Thunderbird and the man behind the foundation responsible for the day’s festivities. Over the last 20 years, he said he’s been pleased to see the event grow from around 100 participants to its current number.

“I didn’t get started in golf until I was 20 — I didn’t have the opportunity to,” he said. “And now you see these kids getting involved in the 4th, 5th, 6th grade. It’s pretty impressive. And if you go to any First Tee event, it’s amazing to see these young kids and their swings. It’s unbelievable.”

While the kids were enjoying Dream Day, another special event was taking place on the putting green at the Stadium course. San Tan Ford’s Celebrity Putting Challenge featured 12 Arizona Special Olympics athletes who competed in groups that included celebrity participants and community partners.

A Celebrity Putting Challenge participant rolls the first putt. Jessica Marksbury

As the teams made their way around the putting green, they were supported by a bevy of fans. Celebrations and high-fives were abundant, and the good vibes were undeniable. After observing these two events back-to-back, I truly can’t imagine a more uplifting and positive way to start the week.

Maybe it’s because I have a grade-school child myself, but watching the kids’ excitement as they disembarked the buses and ran out onto the driving range struck a deep emotional chord with me. I was also moved by the palpable feeling of encouragement and support that was on display at the Celebrity Putting Challenge. This is what the game is all about. The joy of being outside, of camaraderie, of endeavoring to improve.

For all the talk we hear of growing the game, I couldn’t help but think: This is what it looks like in real time.

Latest In News

10 hours ago

Rory McIlroy sees 1 truth in tough conditions at Golden Age Philly Cricket Club

11 hours ago

In Philadelphia, a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for golf-watching

11 hours ago

Truist Championship weekend betting picks: Best values with two rounds left

12 hours ago

'I was like, Oh, s---': Why this rookie caddie apologized to Rory McIlroy

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
Thomas Detry celebrates his 2025 WM Phoenix Open win.

This last-minute swing tip led to this pro's dominating victory

By: Josh Berhow
News
Scottie Scheffler and Will Chandler shake hands at the WM Phoenix Open.

How this pro earned a notable badge of honor at the WM Phoenix Open

By: Josh Berhow
Putters
Jordan Spieth putts with a cutaway close up of his putter at the WM Phoenix Open.

Jordan Spieth's surprising putter switch was year in the making

By: Jack Hirsh
Hybrids
PGA Tour pro Thomas Detry's Callaway Epic 2-hybrid club.

The most unique club in Thomas Detry's bag? A hybrid from 2017

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Jordan Spieth finished T4 at the WM Phoenix Open.

At WM Phoenix Open, an important lesson: 30-somethings still down for a party | Monday Finish

By: Dylan Dethier
Drivers
Thomas Detry plays a drive at the WMPO.

How to buy Thomas Detry's winning Callaway driver

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Thomas Detry reacts after making a putt during the final round of the WM Phoenix Open.

'What dreams are made of:' Thomas Detry claims first career PGA Tour win with dominant WM Phoenix Open performance

By: Josh Schrock
Gear
Thomas Detry plays a drive at the WM Phoenix Open.

What clubs does WM Phoenix Open winner Thomas Detry play? Winner's bag

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Thomas Detry hits a shot at 16 at the WM Phoenix Open.

2025 WM Phoenix Open money: Here’s how much every player made 

By: Jack Hirsh
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version