As the Arnold Palmer Invitational unfolds this week at the magnificent Bay Hill Club & Lodge, I find myself reflecting on my long-standing love affair with this iconic venue and my profound admiration for its legendary namesake. Bay Hill isn't just another stop on the PGA TOUR — it's a living tribute to the man who transformed golf.
Arnold Palmer's approach to golf transcended mere technique; it embodied a philosophy about how to play the game and, perhaps, how to live life. As we celebrate the legend this week, it seems like a perfect opportunity to revisit some of his timeless wisdom, which remains as relevant today as when he first shared it.
1. Grip It and Rip It — With Purpose
"Swing your swing," Palmer famously advised. "Not some idea of a swing. Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had. No . . .swing your swing."
Joe Ferguson has tested every single driver on the market in 2025 and in this video breaks it down into various categories so by the end of it, you'll know exactly which model is right for your game this season!
Three golf courses at the award-winning Wigwam resort with three experiences allow you to pick your style of play. A competitive and traditional scramble on the challenging Gold Course is true to the roots of the event. In contrast, the Red Course is a festive and fun experience with music and shenanigans. And for something in between with mulligans and extended putts, the Blue course provides a mixture of both. Lunch, top-of-the-line tournament apparel, great swag, 18 holes of golf, and complimentary beverages and snacks make this a great day of golf. Then invite a guest for the evening with an open bar, posh dinner, silent and live auctions, and a moonlight after-party to wrap up the day. This is one of the top charity golf tournaments in the West Valley!
Registration is Now Open!
History
It was late 2012 when four community leaders in the West Valley of Phoenix noticed a troubling lack of support for organizations west of Interstate 17. They knew they had a responsibility to do something about it and called upon a group of community leaders to join them. As they gathered in a room, they shared their vision and suggested creating a philanthropic group to raise money for those in need. The result was The Mavericks, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organizational group of business and community leaders committed to shaping and supporting their West Valley communities through charitable events.
The Mavericks are known as extraordinary gentlemen in the West, coming from a diverse set of trades. They donate their time, talents, resources, and funds for the betterment of the West Valley, believing it is an incredible place to live, work, and have fun. Their focus is on building and supporting this vision for future generations, and they take pride in their legacy of exciting charitable events that support the overall goal of fundraising and charitable giving.
Founded in 2012, The West Valley Mavericks are a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization with a mission to benefit children in need. The group has grown since its inception, with a roster that includes 51 active members, a number of life members, and honorary members. The Mavericks are an exceptional group of individuals who stand together to support their community, and their impact is felt by all who call the West Valley home.
Our Mission
The Mavericks have a bold mission - to enhance the communities in the West Valley and create a better future for all. They accomplish this by advancing four critical pillars - "charity", "community", "culture", and "commerce" - known as the Maverick's four "C's." Through their commitment to these core values, The Mavericks have established themselves as a driving force behind the positive transformation of the West Valley. They believe that by fostering a culture of giving, supporting the local community, promoting cultural events and commerce, they can create a vibrant and prosperous West Valley for generations to come. The Mavericks' dedication to these ideals is evident in all of their endeavors, and their impact on the community is immeasurable.
World’s Best Golfers Set to Return to Arizona for the 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass
Tickets to go on sale in coming weeks; volunteer opportunities currently available for area sports fans
PHOENIX, Ariz., Nov. 20, 2024 – Arizona golf fans, get ready for the return of the world’s best golfers!
On March 27-30, 2025, the LPGA Tour will head to Whirlwind Golf Club for the 2025 Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass. The event promises to bring elite competition alongside family-friendly activities for sports enthusiasts of all ages.
The 2025 WM Phoenix Open has come to a thrilling conclusion, with thousands of golf fans once again putting the Super Bowl on hold to witness the crowning of this year’s champion. This time, it was Thomas Detry who etched his name into tournament history, capturing his first career PGA TOUR victory in dominant fashion at 24-under par.
Detry delivered when it mattered most, firing a 6-under 65 – which included birdies and the final four holes – in the final round to seal the win and become the first Belgian player ever to win on the PGA TOUR. His steady play and clutch putting down the stretch proved too much for the field, as he confidently closed out The People’s Open in style.
Is there anything better than a Friday at the WM Phoenix Open? Fans packed TPC Scottsdale for another electric day of golf, and they weren’t disappointed. The leaderboard is stacked, the energy is building, and with the weekend on the horizon, things are just getting started.
Thomas Detry holds the outright lead at 12-under par, following a scorching 7-under round today. But he’s got company. Alex Smalley and Michael Kim sit just two shots back at 10-under, with Smalley carding a 6-under 65 and Kim firing a bogey-free 8-under 63 to surge into contention.
Right behind them, three players sit at 9-under, including Jordan Spieth, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, and Tom Kim – all within striking distance heading into the weekend. With big names and lots of red numbers on the scorecard, it’s shaping up to be a must-watch Moving Day at The People’s Open.
Emiliano Grillo (3-under) stole the show at the loudest hole in golf. He didn’t just make an ace – he dropped it straight in the cup. A clean, slam-dunk, straight-dart from 155 yards that spun around the hole before finally disappearing, sending 17,000 fans into a flurry. That’s how you make history at the Coliseum.
Yes, plenty happens before the first tee shot is struck, but Thursday marked the official start of the 2025 edition of “The People’s Open.” And if the opening round was any indication, we’re in for an absolute thriller.
Wyndham Clark holds the early lead at 7-under par, making a strong statement out of the gate. But things are tightly packed at the top of the leaderboard, with Taylor Moore and Lee Hodges just one shot back at 6-under par. Right behind them, a stacked group of six players sits at 5-under par, including Justin Thomas, Nicolai Højgaard, Andrew Putnam, Akshay Bhatia, Camilo Villegas, and Adam Schenk. With so many contenders in the mix, this tournament is shaping up to be a shootout.
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Barrow Neurological Foundation will host the inaugural Barrow Open, presented by PXG with special support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
This inaugural golf tournament will take place at the iconic TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, home to “The Greatest Show on Grass,” the WM Phoenix Open. Thanks to support from the Committee Chair Laurie Carson and all the resolute committee members, sponsors, and donors, The Barrow Open is sure to be an unforgettable experience at one of the country's most famous courses.
Proceeds from The Barrow Open will benefit the new Golf Neuroscience Research Laboratory at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. This state-of-the-art lab is dedicated to helping golfers with back pain or injury safely return to their game by establishing uniform, science-backed treatment guidelines.
A Star-Studded Annexus Pro-Am Kicks Off Tournament Week
The Annexus Pro-Am brought out some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and music for an exciting day at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. Fans lined the fairways to watch four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Olympic icon Michael Phelps, country music superstar Luke Bryan and comedic sensation Rob Riggle tee it up alongside some of the PGA TOUR’s best.
Baseball fans got a treat as well. Diamondbacks’ trio of aces Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Corbin Burnes along with their skipper Torey Lovullo, took on the course, while former MLB MVP Jimmy Rollins and slugger Kyle Schwarber added even more star power to the mix. Jelly Roll also brought his larger-than-life personality to the fairways, giving fans an early glimpse before his headlining performance at the Coors Light Birds Nest later that night.
