Ak-Chin to be presenting sponsor at Phoenix Open

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Waste Management Phoenix Open hosts The Thunderbirds announced today that the Ak-Chin Indian Community has signed on as the local presenting sponsor of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The Ak-Chin Indian Community is the first local presenting sponsor in the history of the Phoenix Open.
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“We are excited to announce our first-ever local presenting sponsor and we look forward to this new partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community,” 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Dan Mahoney said.

The sponsorship begins with the 2016 tournament, Feb. 1-7 at TPC Scottsdale and runs through 2020.

“The Ak-Chin Indian Community shares The Thunderbirds’ mission of giving back to the community and this partnership will significantly increase the tournament’s potential to raise even more money for local charities and create a bigger impact on the community,” Thunderbirds Big Chief Danny Calihan said.

The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports.

The 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open was a record-setting event, as two of the tournament days drew record attendance along with the overall attendance record for the week. Wednesday’s record attendance reached 75,380, while Thursday’s first round attendance record was set at 118,461, the first time a Thursday crowd reached more than 100,000 in the tournament’s history.

The weeklong attendance of 564,368 edged out the previous record of 563,008, which was set in 2014.

“The Ak-Chin Indian Community has long understood our role in giving back to the community at large. Through The Thunderbirds and the success of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, we can continue that commitment and provide financial support to several worthwhile organizations throughout Arizona,” Ak-Chin Chairman Louis J. Manuel Jr. said.

Additionally, the 2015 tournament raised a record $9.06 million for charity and has eclipsed $102 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932.

Since title sponsor Waste Management signed on in 2010 the tournament has raised more than $36 million ($36,372,368) for Arizona charities.

“The addition of the Ak-Chin Indian Community as a local presenting sponsor of the Waste Management Phoenix Open will benefit the tournament, the community and the many charities this tournament supports through the great work of The Thunderbirds,” said Jim Trevathan, Waste Management executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Waste Management looks forward to working together with The Thunderbirds, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and all of the supporting sponsors to continue making this tournament the greatest and greenest show on grass.”

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. The 2016 edition will mark the 81st playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the seventh as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.