Put attending the Waste Management Phoenix Open on your golf bucket list

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - It wasn’t about the golf.

And that’s what made seeing the spectacle that is the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open so cool. Let’s face it. Golf’s traditions - staying quiet while a player hits and when he does golf-clapping lightly - can be serious buzz kills.

Thankfully, there are virtually no rules when it comes to having fun at the par-3 16th on the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course during the Waste Management. Crowds party like it’s 1999 all afternoon - eating, drinking and enjoying the sun while it’s cold just about everywhere else in America. Oh, by the way, there just happens to be a PGA Tour event going on.

The traditions on the hole are funny to watch live. Fans reign down boos for every bad shot that misses the green. They go gonzo for every well-struck greenie. The “caddy races” are especially entertaining. Kevin Na’s caddy dove head first onto the green to win his “race” on Friday afternoon, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

I loved that players like Billy Mayfair revel in the atmosphere. He walked into the “stadium” on Friday afternoon - the hole is entirely enclosed by skyboxes - and started egging the crowd on to make some noise.

I missed the impromptu concert put on by Ben Crane and Bubba Watson on Saturday afternoon, but it was symbolic of how these young guys have embraced this tournament. I don’t mind that they push the envelope a bit. Let’s make tournament golf more fun for a change, OK?

I’ve always told people I’d rather play golf than watch golf in my job, but this is one place where I’ll retract that statement. Put hanging out on the 16th on your golf bucket list. Bring some buddies. Wear crazy clothing. Bark at the moon. Whatever you want. Just let loose and have a good time. Coupled with the show by Will i am on Friday night at the Bird’s Nest, Scottsdale sure knows how to throw a party.