Why the Waste Management’s 16th hole experience is more accessible — and affordable — than ever this year

The loudest hole in golf is shaping up to be a very different experience this year for both players and fans. Yes, the grandstands are up on the par-3 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and yes, unlike many Tour events over the past several months, there will be actual fans onsite, but attendance will be severely restricted. In years past, the “People’s Open” welcomed hundreds of thousands of people through the gates throughout the week. This year, the number of spectators will be capped at less than 5,000 each day.

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But if there’s a silver lining to be found, it’s this: The premium experience of sitting in the hospitality grandstands on No. 16 has never been more accessible — or affordable. For the first time ever, fans can purchase daily hospitality access — a perk that used to be mostly limited to weekly corporate buyouts, which were quickly snapped up as soon as they were made available.

This week, a daily-access hospitality ticket can be purchased for a price as low as $550 for the “silver” or “blue” sections of the grandstand, which are located in between the tee and green. The price includes complimentary continental breakfast, a lunch buffet and an open bar — not bad, considering general grounds admission alone will cost you $100.

But if you’re looking to book, you need to act fast. Friday and Saturday access is already sold out. You can check out the remaining ticket options here.

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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.

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