Wearing green on the green promotes environment at WM Phoenix Open

Medill Explores 2023, Sports, Winter 2023, WM Phoenix Open 2023

Wearing green on the green promotes environment at WM Phoenix Open

February 20, 2023

By Diana Giambona
Medill Reorts

The WM Phoenix Open 2023 organized the “All day green out” initiative, through which, for every person who wore green Feb. 11, money was donated to nonprofit organizations with a sustainable focus, such as Waste Not, Change the Course and Tribal Renewable Energy Fund.

For every fan, volunteer, player and caddie who wore green, tournament host the Thunderbirds and title sponsor Waste Management raised money for the tournament’s new sustainable communities fund to benefit programs that provide environmental solutions to underserved communities. The 2020 open raised approximately $170,000 for the environmental causes. Figures are not yet available for this year’s “All day green out.”

The Phoenix Open ran from Feb. 9-12, attracting around 500,000 attendees to watch 133 top golfers compete. Scottie Scheffler took home the trophy.

Spectator watches golfers at the driving range. — The Phoenix Open took place at TPC Scottsdale, an 18-hole golf course that covers more than 7,000 yards. Throughout the course, many spectators wore green to help raise money for causes such as the Tribal Renewable Energy Fund. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Spectator in printed shirt watches golfers on practice range — Feb. 11, when the third round of the tournament was played, was one of the most attended days. Many people came from other cities and countries to watch this tournament, which brought together the best golf players in the world, including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. Many spectators wore green clothes with unique prints. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Spectators walk the golf course dressed in green — Spectators joined the fund-raising initiative and wore green clothing. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Golfers and caddies woring green — Golfers and caddies also wore green to support the fundraiser for environmental causes. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Two attendees on the golf course wearing green — Jamie Moore, 28, left, and Lauren Bennett dressed in green because they are aware of the importance of sustainability. “We are big proponents of recycling,” Moore said. “We always use our Yetis (bottles) for drinking water instead of buying a plastic one.” (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Spectator wearing a Christmas tree dress — Marge Challeen, 53, from Wisconsin, wore a Christmas Tree dress as a fun way to contribute to “All day green out.” The initiative to donate to the tournament’s new sustainable communities fund “was great,” she said. “I think everybody should recognize it, and we should all take hold and do it.” (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Golf fans wear green — Paige Reisman, 27, left, and Zack Powell, 30, dressed in green on Feb. 11 by chance and found out about the “All day green out” initiative when they arrived at the tournament. “That’s a happy coincidence. I am so excited to help donate to that cause,” Reisman said. “I think recycling and composting is the only way we can continue to have big events like this.” (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Golfer Brian Harman wearing green — Golfer Brian Harman was wearing green while training at the driving range. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Group of people wearing green — Many people decided to wear costumes, as is the case of this family who designed matching outfits with green T-shirts and hats with golf flags. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

People wearing green in the stands at hole 16 — In the stands of the 16th hole, known as the loudest hole on Earth, green was the predominant color. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Lake and landscape at TPC Scottsdale — The WM Phoenix Open gathers more than 500,000 people each year and is one of the most unique golf tournaments due to the festive atmosphere throughout the week. (Diana Giambona/MEDILL)

Diana Giambona is a sports media graduate student at Medill. You can follow her on Twitter at @DianaGiambona.