Jackson Reid
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament every year. The group was formed in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce selected five young executives to lead a special events committee to promote the Valley of the Sun through sports. Each of the five founding members then selected ten additional members to make up a committee of 55. The Thunderbirds have had a significant impact on golf, sponsoring the Thunderbird Collegiate Invitational, which is considered a springboard into the PGA Tour. They are also known for their charitable work, having raised millions of dollars for local charities and other worthy causes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of formation | 1937 |
| Place of origin | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Number of founding members | 5 |
| Total number of members | 55 |
| Current number of members | 300-350 |
| Type of organisation | Philanthropic |
| Type of events organised | Golf tournaments |
| Frequency of events | Annual |
| Name of annual event | WM Phoenix Open |
| Number of attendees at the event | 563,000+ |
| Amount raised for charities | $147 million+ |
| Type of charities supported | Those assisting children and families, helping people in need and improving the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area |
| Dress code | Blue velvet tunics, silver concho belts, silver pendants with a Native American emblem of a Thunderbird |
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What You'll Learn
- The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament every year
- The Thunderbirds began in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce formed a committee to promote the Valley of the Sun through sports
- The Thunderbird name was chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was a Thunderbird, derived from American Indian symbols
- The Thunderbirds sponsor athletes across a range of sports, but they have had the most impact in golf
- Thunderbird members wear large silver pendants suspended on leather thongs, and each year, beads are awarded to members who have performed their duties efficiently
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament every year
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation with a long history of supporting the Phoenix community. The group was formed in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce selected five young executives to lead a special events committee. Each of these five founding members, including Bob Goldwater, an avid golfer, then selected ten additional members to make up a committee of 55. The Thunderbird name was chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was a Thunderbird derived from American Indian symbols.
Goldwater suggested that the Thunderbirds host a golf tournament, and so the Phoenix Open was born. The tournament has since been renamed the WM Phoenix Open and is one of the leading stops on the PGA Tour. Goldwater was Tournament Chairman from 1934 to 1951 and is affectionately known as the "Father of the Phoenix Open".
The Thunderbirds are responsible for planning and executing the WM Phoenix Open each year. The tournament is known for its raucous atmosphere and is considered one of the finest golf events on the PGA Tour. In recent years, it has attracted crowds of over 500,000 people and has raised millions of dollars for local charities. Thunderbirds Charities, a non-profit organisation formed in 1986, distributes the monies raised through the WM Phoenix Open to organisations that assist children and families, help people in need, and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
In addition to their work with the WM Phoenix Open, the Thunderbirds also sponsor athletes across a range of sports, including golf. They host the Thunderbird Collegiate Invitational, a tournament that is considered a proven springboard into the PGA Tour. Many famous golfers have participated in this event, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Tom Purtzer.
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The Thunderbirds began in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce formed a committee to promote the Valley of the Sun through sports
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation that organises the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament annually. The group was formed in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce formed a committee to promote the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbird name was chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was a Thunderbird, derived from American Indian symbols.
The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce initially selected five young executives to lead the committee. These five were asked to recruit ten additional members each, resulting in a committee of 55 members. Bob Goldwater, an avid golfer, was one of the early inductees. Goldwater suggested that the group host a golf tournament, and thus, the Phoenix Open was born. Goldwater served as the Tournament Chairman from 1934 to 1951 and is affectionately known as the "Father of The Phoenix Open".
The Thunderbirds are known for their distinctive style, wearing blue velvet tunics and silver concho belts, adorned with their namesake emblem—a Thunderbird pendant. They are dedicated to community affairs and have had a significant impact on golf, sponsoring athletes across a range of sports. Their most notable contribution is the annual Thunderbird Collegiate Invitational, a tournament that serves as a springboard into the PGA Tour.
The Thunderbirds organisation has expanded over the years, with nearly 350 members to date. They are committed to making a difference in Phoenix, supporting various charitable causes and initiatives. Thunderbirds Charities, a non-profit organisation formed in 1986, distributes monies raised through the WM Phoenix Open to organisations assisting children, families, and people in need in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The Thunderbirds have raised significant funds for local charities, contributing to the betterment of their community.
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The Thunderbird name was chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was a Thunderbird, derived from American Indian symbols
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organization that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament annually. The group was formed in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce expanded its role as a convention and tourism bureau. The Thunderbird name was specifically chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was a Thunderbird, derived from American Indian symbols. The Thunderbird emblem is also draped as a pendant around the necks of Thunderbird members.
The Thunderbird name and emblem are steeped in a rich history, with the group's origins dating back several decades. The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce played a pivotal role in the formation of this special events committee, selecting five young executives to lead it. Each of these executives was then tasked with choosing ten additional members, resulting in a committee of 55 individuals. This number has been maintained throughout the group's history, with active Thunderbird membership limited to 55 members.
The Thunderbird name, derived from the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, has become synonymous with the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament. The event attracts one of the largest sporting event crowds in the world and is recognized as a highlight on the PGA TOUR. The Thunderbirds' impact extends beyond the golf tournament, as they are dedicated to community affairs and supporting various charitable causes.
The Thunderbirds' commitment to philanthropy is evident in their fundraising efforts. In recent years, the group has raised significant sums of money for local charities, with the tournament's all-time fundraising total surpassing $147 million. Their dedication to making a difference goes beyond the financial realm, as they actively support and care for the underprivileged, striving to improve lives in the Phoenix community and beyond.
The Thunderbirds' choice of name and emblem, inspired by American Indian symbols, has become a powerful symbol of their organization's values and legacy. The name "Thunderbirds" captures the spirit and energy of their endeavors, while the emblem serves as a visual representation of their pride, success, and dedication to making a positive impact through sports, particularly golf.
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The Thunderbirds sponsor athletes across a range of sports, but they have had the most impact in golf
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament annually. The group was formed in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce selected five business leaders to promote the Valley of the Sun through sports. Each of the original members then selected ten additional members to make up a committee of 55. The Thunderbird name was chosen because the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was a Thunderbird derived from American Indian symbols. Bob Goldwater, an avid golfer, was one of the early inductees and urged the Thunderbirds to host a golf tournament. Thus, the Phoenix Open was born.
Goldwater served as the Tournament Chairman from 1934 to 1951 and is affectionately called the "Father of the Phoenix Open". He played an instrumental role in the tournament's early years by selling tickets, recruiting volunteers, and setting up the golf course at the Phoenix Country Club. Over the years, the Phoenix Open has become one of the leading stops on the PGA Tour.
In addition to their impact on golf, the Thunderbirds are known for their charitable endeavours. They wear large silver pendants, emblematic of their continuous civic pride and success in promoting the Phoenix area. Thunderbird-sponsored events, such as the WM Phoenix Open, have raised significant funds for local charities and initiatives supporting families, children, and those in need. In 2019 alone, the event raised $13.2 million, bringing their all-time fundraising total to $147 million. The Thunderbirds' dedication to sports and community development has left a lasting legacy in the Phoenix area and beyond.
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Thunderbird members wear large silver pendants suspended on leather thongs, and each year, beads are awarded to members who have performed their duties efficiently
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organization that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament annually. The group was formed in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce selected five business leaders to lead a special events committee. Each of the five founding members then selected ten additional members, resulting in a total of 55 members. The Thunderbird name was derived from the emblem of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, which was a Thunderbird taken from American Indian symbols.
Bob Goldwater, an avid golfer and one of the early inductees, suggested that the group host a golf tournament. Goldwater served as the Tournament Chairman from 1934 to 1951 and is affectionately known as the "Father of The Phoenix Open." The Phoenix Open has since become one of the leading stops on the PGA TOUR.
Thunderbird members wear large silver pendants suspended on leather thongs, emblematic of continuous civic pride and the promotion of the Phoenix area. Each year, a Bead Committee awards silver beads to members who have efficiently performed their duties. Active Thunderbird membership is limited to 55 members, and each member has demonstrated a sincere interest in sports and a dedication to community affairs. When a Thunderbird reaches the age of 45, their status changes from Active to Life Member, although they may still participate in events.
In addition to the WM Phoenix Open, the Thunderbirds also sponsor the Thunderbird Collegiate Invitational, which is considered a springboard into the PGA TOUR. Thunderbird-sponsored athletes participate in a wide range of sports, but the organization has had the most impact in golf. The Thunderbirds' charitable efforts extend beyond sports, as they support organizations that assist children, families, and people in need in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
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Frequently asked questions
The Thunderbirds are a philanthropic organisation that puts on the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament every year. The Thunderbirds began in 1937 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce selected five young executives to lead a special events committee to promote the Valley of the Sun through sports. Each of the five then selected ten additional members to make up a committee of 55.
The Thunderbirds have had the most impact in golf. They sponsor the Thunderbird Collegiate Invitational, which is considered a springboard into the PGA Tour. The Thunderbirds also raise money for charities. In 2019, the WM Phoenix Open raised $13.2 million for local charities, bringing the tournament's all-time fundraising total to $147 million.
Thunderbirds wear large silver pendants suspended on leather thongs, with their namesake Native American emblem—a Thunderbird draped as a pendant around their necks. They also wear blue velvet tunics and silver concho belts.
