In Tempe, Arizona, inspiration has come full circle. Taking a cue from the raucous atmosphere of college football, the Waste Management Phoenix Open’s 16th hole has become the most infamous party in golf, spawning a wave of imitators. That list includes LIV Golf, who have fashioned ‘watering holes” at their Australia and UK events, and now, in a funny role reversal, college football itself, specifically the Arizona State Sun Devils.
On Wednesday, Sun Devils’ coach Kenny Dillingham, fresh off his squad’s surprising College Football Playoff berth last season, revealed plans for a new indoor practice and tailgate facility that the school hopes will become their very own “16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.” Take it away, coach.
Huge development: Kenny Dillingham said ASU is raising money for a new indoor practice facility that will also be used for fan tailgating:
"We want to create the 16th hole of the Waste Management Open in our indoor facility by our stadium."@SunDevilSource pic.twitter.com/TzJwSxsCaA
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks) July 30, 2025
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Golf inspiring college football? We never thought we’d see the day. But with a proud links legacy forged by the likes of Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm, we suppose it only makes sense that ASU is the first FBS school to bring golf atmosphere to the gridiron.
It’s not a done deal just yet though. Dillingham said that the project is still in the funding stage, and that the school hopes to break ground in six months ahead of a 2027 opening. Given the enthusiasm (and intoxication levels) on display at TPC Scottsdale each February, however, we have little doubt that it will be an, ahem, roaring success.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
