Waste Management's Attendance Numbers In Perspective

I always picture a group of Thunderbirds rolling up the sleeves of their blue suede sweaters and throwing darts at new record attendance numbers to announce annually.

Because right on cue, they set new records again at the 2016 Waste Management Open. Mitzvah!

Brian Wacker's tweet of the media center attendance board:

Jut a few people here today 😯🏌⛳️ #PGATOUR #WMPhoenixOpen pic.twitter.com/6NuJRSlpGK
— Brian Wacker (@pgatour_brianw) February 6, 2016

Though I'm with reader Chris, who noted that extra three just looks a little too perfectly imperfect:

@GeoffShac I'm guessing adding the '3' to the end makes it seem like a real attendance count. pic.twitter.com/6HMUuWKOqS
— Chris (@GolfGuy77) February 7, 2016

This noted, the Thunderbirds should also be praised for their ticket pricing, which encourages large crowds on a course that is pretty easy for spectators to actually see golf without working too hard.

From their website:

Monday, Tuesday: FREE
Wednesday – Thursday: $30
Friday – Sunday: $40
Ages 17 & under are free when accompanied by an adult.

At the recently played Farmers Insurance Open, the admission price is $50, with the course closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday. The $50 price might explain the ghost town vibe there this year on Thursday.

Adult – $50 / Seniors – $35
Youth 13-17 – $10 / Kids 12 & under – free
Military FREE with ID

At the upcoming Northern Trust Open, the pricing is both higher and harder to comprehend.

Monday Collegiate Pro-Am: $19
Course closed Tuesday (oy vey)
Wednesday Pro-Am: $19
Thursday Regular Price: $39
Friday Regular Price: $49
Saturday Regular Price: $59 (includes English Beat concert)
Sunday: Regular Price: $49
Any Day Flex Ticket Regular Price: $64
Season Badge Regular Price: $139
Ages 17 & under are free when accompanied by an adult
Military Free with ID

Update on 2016-02-07 16:03 by Geoff

**Not long ago John Strege looked at how they come up with the number and talked to a skeptic who probably would cut the numbers almost in half.

For its estimates, the Phoenix Open uses 3.2 people per car. "That seems awfully high," Doig said. "Americans just don't do that. I'm sure there are cars with four people, but I suspect lots of them have one or two. I could probably live with two per car."

Update on 2016-02-07 17:06 by Geoff

**The crowd has been billed in various stories as the largest in golf history.

Update on 2016-02-08 02:24 by Geoff

**Big drop off on Sunday. The dart must have landed on the lowest option!