The Phoenix Open Golf Tournament 2017

Locally, this event has quite a reputation for being the single most popular people watching arena in the west.  Of course, some people do actually go to watch the golf!  Many girls dress up as though they're going to a star studded party on a yacht in the Caribbean.  It was a gloriously warm day which favored the skimpy clothes, and with no concern for the general terrain of such event, the scenery was more than entertaining with high heels and platform shoes tottering about the sloping grassy banks of the vast 18 hole championship TPC golf course. 
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This was my first time to a golf tournament, and the first time to any event that hosted a record breaking almost 205,000 people on a single day.  It was a sight to behold.  I didn't see much golf but that wasn't really why I was there, as I believe was the same for a large number of other folk in attendance!

High heels and rompers seemed to be the order of the day!

Aside from his shoes, this chap was very well coordinated!

It's a good job Waste Management is the sponsor of this event!

Traditional golf knickers - very dapper!

Matt Kuchar, he's giving me the eye, I think he likes my hat!

This is what I wore!

A cute little cross body purse to keep hands free for adhoc photo taking.

Comfortable flats make negotiating the sloping grassy banks a snap.

San Diego Hat Company Hat // Dress similar here andhere // Adidas Superstar Sneakers // Tom Ford Sunnies // Quilted Cross Body Bag similarhere  // Anthropologie Denim Jacket // Techno Marine Ceramic Watch // Love Always Couture Monogram Necklace
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Although we live less than 6  miles away from the tournament, we drove and parked our car in one of the public parking areas and took the free shuttle to the event.  Unfortunately there was only one passenger drop off place, so hundreds of coaches were grid locked trying to get to their park and drop area.  As a result it took about 45 minutes to get from our car to the tournament which was only a 10 minute drive away.   The return journey was a breeze, only 10 minutes or so, plus the driver, a charming fellow,  entertained us with his chatter on the microphone to add to the days fun.

Among the fashionistas at the tournament, the abundance of rompers with heeled booties or platform block heels took precedence.  Long maxi dresses held a high position in their numbers, maintaining their status on the fashion scene as a hot item.  I noticed a lot of rompers with an attached long flowing duster of the same fabric.  I really liked these, they were super pretty and feminine. There were a lot of bare backs, either by way of very strappy  detail, or just a bra-top tied at the back.  In many cases, it seemed that the less you could wear the better.  As a result, and no doubt encouraged by the vast consumption of alcohol in the blazing sun,  there were a lot of wardrobe malfunctions, some saved by nipple petals, most of them not!

I wore an old Michael Kors black and white maxi dress that I bought for $35 from Marshalls about 3 years ago.  I paired it with my Adidas Superstar sneakers because there was no way I was going to walk an 18 hole golf course in heels, or for that matter 3 holes!  Given what I saw today, I would not recommend heels!  I loved how the stripes on my sneakers actually blended with the stripes in the dress, it sort of added an edgy touch to an otherwise conservative outfit.  

A hat is a definite must for this event especially on a sunny day such as it was.  There were a lot of sunburned folk walking about.  On that note, don't forget the sunscreen.  The hat I wore is super cute with tiny ruffles all around the floppy brim, also you can control where it flops and fold it up for travel or storage - best sun hat I've ever had.

Although I didn't need it, I took a jacket because at this time of year the temperature can drop quickly when the sun goes down and I am prone to getting cold easily.  This denim jacket is from Anthropologie, is very comfortable as it has a little stretch in it, and I was able to free up my hands by tying it around my middle.  

A small cross body handbag was the perfect choice  because, a) high security events don't allow large handbags (they'll make you put your things in a clear plastic bag), and b) it's best not to be burdened carrying something large and cumbersome.  Ideally, aim for hands free to carry your drink and be able to snap photos at any given time!

​There were plenty of watering holes along the fairway going toward the infamous 16th hole grandstand, but all had long queues to get to the bar on the day we went.  We had taken water into the event with us, so we were good for a couple of hours sauntering about.  Then  we made our way back to the "Fan Zone" area, where there were plenty of consignments from Zin Burger to Garcias Mexican food.  Here we were able to get a glass of wine for myself and a beer for Brian right away, and the best close up people watching and "real life" entertainment that we'd seen since last watching Bravo TV!

I must say that despite the number of intoxicated people, I did not for one moment feel nervous, threatened or intimidated by anyone's behavior.  It was a lovely day out, everyone was happy and enjoying themselves, and I would totally recommend it to anyone.  I will definitely be going again next year.  

As always, thank you for reading
Karen xox