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Hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open donate record $9.4 million 

The Thunderbirds who donate their time and funds to Phoenix based charities are celebrating a new charitable giving record!  

Thunderbirds Big Chief Dan Mahoney j(pictured below left) ust announced that the Thunderbirds, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by Ak-Chin Indian Community, raised a record $9,369,873 for local charities through proceeds raised from the 2016 tournament. 

dan mahoney

This is the highest single-year charitable donation in tournament history, breaking last year’s total of $9,060,731, and marks the second consecutive year that The Thunderbirds have eclipsed $9 million in charitable dollars raised in a single year.

The Thunderbirds and the Waste Management Phoenix Open have raised more than $45 million ($45,742,241) for charities since 2010 when Waste Management became title sponsor. In its history, dating back to 1932, the Phoenix Open has raised more than $111 million ($111,788,807) for charities in Arizona.

“We are proud of our history of giving back to the community and excited that once again we were able to break the single-year record for charitable dollars earned through the Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community,” says Mahoney.  

“Each year we receive outstanding support from Waste Management, as well as from corporate sponsors, volunteers and of course the fans, and we can’t do this without them.”

The 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open was another record-setting event, as three tournament attendance records were broken. For the week, 618,365 fans attended “The Greatest Show on Grass”, smashing last year’s record of 564,368. Additionally, single-day attendance records were broken on Friday (160,415) and Saturday (201,003).

“Waste Management couldn’t be prouder of our role as title sponsor of the ‘Greenest Show on Grass’ and one of the most charitable tournaments on the PGA TOUR,” Jim Trevathan, Waste Management executive vice president and chief operating officer said. “With increasing, and record breaking annual attendance, we’re pleased that so many charities benefit and the Waste Management Phoenix Open truly makes an inspiring difference from both a community and environmental standpoint.”

Congratulations! 

  kathy shayna shocket copy   Kathy Shayna Shocket, a freelance Writer, and TV- Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. The former TV-Reporter has written for publications such as TIME Magazine, Money Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. You can reach her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it