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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — This week’s “chilly” climate on the WM Phoenix Open places the metro’s usually balmy local weather into perspective. Whereas those that usually partake within the sixteenth gap chaos usually don little greater than a tank prime, shorts and flip-flops, this week’s rain and cooler temps have introduced out winter gear, with some sporting puffy coats and ski hats to look at the world’s finest gamers.
However at its core, the favored occasion is understood for sunshine and blue skies, giving many from across the nation — and the world — the impression that Arizona is wall-to-wall saguaros and overwhelming warmth. The Grand Canyon State, nevertheless, boasts one of many nation’s most intriguing and various ecosystems.
For instance, whereas gamers had been beginning the primary spherical at TPC Scottsdale on Thursday, college students within the mountain city of Flagstaff simply 140 or so miles to the north had been having fun with their second straight snow day after a collection of storms rolled by means of.
This acquired us pondering: Might we stand up to Flagstaff’s ski space, Arizona Snowbowl, and get again in time to see some afternoon motion on the WMPO? We determined to offer it a shot.
Right here’s how the day unfolded:
Signage for the WM Phoenix Open on Route 101 in Scottsdale.
For years, the trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff meant trudging by means of the town correct and spiking north on I-17, which is an erratic street traversing a number of mountain ranges and valleys.
I lived right here within the Nineteen Nineties and into the aughts when there was no beltway to talk of. Now, the trip from the suburbs fully skirts the town and from my buddy’s home within the southeastern suburb of Gilbert, Waze steers you up by means of Scottsdale and proper previous the Open grounds. Although I used to be whizzing by at 4:49 a.m., the signage was brilliant, guiding patrons to the assorted heaps.
When upwards of 200,000 persons are heading to a golf event for the day, parking turns into a significant precedence.
Indicators on the intersection of routes 101 and 17 in north Phoenix.
Slightly backstory: After I labored on the Flagstaff newspaper (the Arizona Each day Solar) many years in the past, a number of of the scholars at Northern Arizona College talked about “double ski day,” once they would hit the slopes for the morning, then drive down the mountain and water ski within the afternoon. That thought had been festering in my mind lengthy after I left the state — and was the genesis of this journey.
After I hit the intersection of 101 and Interstate 17 north of Phoenix, the temperature had already dipped a number of levels to 46 (in keeping with my rental), and I knew this was going to be a battle since issues usually get cooler from there.
And if the whipping winds and wild hills simply north of Phoenix weren’t sufficient to suggest I used to be about to endure an intense expertise, passing the freeway signal for “Bloody Basin Highway” clinched the deal.
Drive from Gilbert to Flagstaff (on Thursday) was an fascinating one. pic.twitter.com/vtk02sXYY9
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 9, 2024
After coming off the Bradshaw Mountains, (previous the at all times intriguing Arcosanti) and down by means of the valley that homes Sedona, the I-17 begins climbing once more at a faster tempo. By the point I acquired to Stoneman Lake Highway, the roads had a smattering of fluffy white snow and the winds had been easing it backwards and forwards alongside the pavement.
With so many vacationers flowing by means of the area (many making the trek to the Grand Canyon), you see a ton of out-of-state plates and people people are regularly frightened of driving within the snow. Which means an extended line of automobiles in the precise lane, usually lined behind a snowplow. White-knuckle time.
Snow is piled excessive on the benches exterior Macy’s, a well-liked espresso store in Flagstaff. (Photograph: Tim Schmitt/Golfweek)
By the point I acquired into city, the tables exterior my favourite espresso store, Macy’s, had been lined with about two ft of snow. The downtown was like a snow globe by the point I arrived, quiet and pristine.
I drove a number of blocks north of downtown to the home of my outdated good friend and Arizona Each day Solar photographer Jake Bacon, who gave me somewhat perception. For the file, I went up Bacon’s street however he informed me I couldn’t go down the identical method as a result of I wouldn’t be capable of cease on the ice. Proper after we filmed this brief video, a truck honked because it screamed by, sliding on the glassy street.
My outdated buddy Jake Bacon from the @AZDailySun talks about Flagstaff climate. pic.twitter.com/wFBtK5duVJ
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
Drive as much as Snowbowl was busy. pic.twitter.com/E8bJc2GgkC
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
Since college was known as off, households had been out en masse (gotta discover some method to maintain the children occupied) inflicting a site visitors jam heading up the mountain. It’s about seven miles off the principle street as much as the lodge and the strains had been heavy for each leases and tickets. The season could be somewhat shorter in Flagstaff than at main Colorado resorts and even these again East, however when the white stuff begins falling, enterprise is booming.
This worker defined:
Worker at Snowbowl. “This does not occur daily, however that is typical.” pic.twitter.com/vLhpdOQXKZ
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
With the snow coming down tougher and tougher with every run, the powder was contemporary and fluffy on an ideal day. Snowbowl has a 2,300-foot vertical, which places it on par with, say, Arapahoe Basin simply exterior Denver.
Excellent powder. pic.twitter.com/pfZ3U3nz9e
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
After I made a idiot of myself, falling a number of occasions on a handful of runs in picture-perfect situations, I dropped off the rental skis and headed again to look at the top of the primary day of play at TPC Scottsdale. Slightly extra time on the mountain would have been nice, however I used to be on a quest to get again earlier than play completed.
If the trip up was exhilarating, the trip again was downright terrifying. The snow was actually coming down for the primary 30 miles as I left Flagstaff, and some automobiles slid off the freeway and into the median. I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a four-wheel drive truck, however most of the smaller autos I handed had been clearly having hassle navigating the snow and ice. Apparently, this street was closed quickly after I handed by means of.
This is one of many automobiles that slid off the freeway. pic.twitter.com/KeeK9ByGrc
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
The trip again to @tpcscottsdale was even hairier. pic.twitter.com/OCYBdMpPgc
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
With rain wreaking havoc on the opening spherical of play, I had somewhat further time to get again into the Scottsdale space and nonetheless watch the top of the day’s motion.
Photographer Cheryl Evans of the Arizona Republic was standing together with the sixteenth inexperienced and took this video simply moments earlier than the horn sounded to restart play. Listed here are my ideas on the day:
And at last. Again to 16. Thanks for following alongside. pic.twitter.com/UgKaPZU2eq
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
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