The annual Dream Day at the WM Phoenix Open is a community-focused event that allows grade-school children to experience the excitement of a PGA Tour tournament week. This year marked the event’s 23rd anniversary, with 562 kids in grades 4-6 attending the event at TPC Scottsdale’s Champions driving range. The kids were greeted by volunteers, members of the Thunderbirds, and Arizona team mascots. The event is sponsored by the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation in partnership with the First Tee of Phoenix, which offers a school-based program to Title I schools to incorporate golf into their physical education curriculum.
Dream Day provides the children with an opportunity to engage with local celebrities, watch a trick-shot artist, and even receive some golf lessons from Arizona local Chez Reavie. Lunch was provided, and the kids had ample time to practice hitting a variety of shots on the driving range. The event serves as an introduction to golf for many of the kids who had never been on a golf course before. The feedback received after the event through thank-you cards demonstrates the positive impact it has on the kids in the local community.
Greg Hoyt, a Thunderbird and the man behind the foundation, has seen the event grow over the last 20 years, with more kids participating each year. The event aims to introduce golf to kids at a young age and inspire them to take up the sport. Another event that took place simultaneously was the Celebrity Putting Challenge, featuring 12 Arizona Special Olympics athletes competing with celebrity participants and community partners. The putting challenge provided a fun and supportive environment for the participants.
The combined atmosphere of Dream Day and the Celebrity Putting Challenge created a positive and uplifting experience for everyone involved. The kids’ excitement and the encouragement and support displayed at the events exemplify the essence of golf – camaraderie, improvement, and joy of being outdoors. This community-focused initiative showcases the impact golf can have on young children and serves as a model for growing the game in a positive and inclusive way. The event captures the true spirit of golf and highlights the importance of fostering a love for the sport from a young age.
