S E14: The Business Behind Golf’s Wildest Tournament | Jim Fish on the WM Open

The WM Phoenix Open isn’t just a golf tournament — it’s one of the most unique live sporting events in the world.

In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Jim Fish, President & CEO of WM, to unpack how the WM Phoenix Open became the “greatest show on grass” — drawing nearly 700,000 fans and redefining what golf can look like when entertainment, sustainability, and community collide.

Fish explains the inflection points that transformed the event, from Tiger Woods’ iconic hole-in-one on the 16th hole to WM’s decision to turn the tournament into the largest zero-waste sporting event in the world. He breaks down why Hole 16 feels more like a gladiator arena than a golf hole, how younger fans are reshaping expectations around the sport, and why creating a clear identity matters more than tradition in today’s golf landscape.

Beyond the tournament, Fish opens up about his leadership philosophy, shaped by a near-death illness early in his career, ride-alongs with frontline workers, and a belief that culture is built by listening in the field — not just making decisions in the boardroom.

This episode also includes Powering the Women’s Game, presented by Chevron, spotlighting the continued growth and innovation in women’s golf, including the announcement of a women’s TGL initiative backed by high-profile investors and LPGA stars. Plus, in Making Better Decisions, presented by Aon, Fish reflects on the pivotal choices that have shaped his leadership approach and guided WM’s long-term strategy.

This is a wide-ranging conversation about sports business, fan experience, sustainability, leadership, and the future of golf — and why the Waste Management Open has become a model other events are trying to understand, not replicate.

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