LIV Golf’s Watering Hole 12 vs PGA Tour’s Party Hole 16: Ranking Destructive Fans Behavior

The golf world rivalry continues. While there might be no sign of the finalization of the long-impending merger, fans’ interest in pitting LIV Golf and the PGA Tour against one another seems to continue to grow. A new aspect inviting such comparison is the destructive behavior exhibited by fans on both ends of the tug of war.

The Watering Hole 12 of LIV Golf Adelaide and the PGA Tour’s Party Hole 16 at the WM Phoenix Open are two holes that have demonstrated that fun can also come at a huge price, time and again. The fun aspect remains close to fans’ hearts as they experience the event in a never-seen-before, non-traditional way from the comfort of these glorious holes. But the after-effects on the golf course and the general etiquette of the game suffer. So which of these two fan-favorite holes has suffered more when pitted against the other?

Has LIV Golf seen more disastrous fan behavior than the PGA Tour?

In this unique comparison, the PGA Tour takes the lead over LIV Golf. The People’s Open has had a long-standing tradition of witnessing unruly fans’ behavior, making chaos synonymous with its name. From health concerns concerning alcohol poisoning raised by the so-called “wasted management” of the event to adrenaline-filled fans running a marathon and even a bridal cosplay on the course, Party Hole 16 has seen it all.

Unpredictable. Extreme. Uncontrollable. These are only some adjectives used to describe the behavior exhibited by fans at the WM Phoenix Open. Every year, fan behavior stoops to a new level of danger, with matters worsening last year. While considering it is the People’s Open, the rules, and expected authorities usually ignore golf course decorum, the 2024 edition of the event saw an adverse reaction from the PGA Tour authorities in a never-seen-before manner.

While comparatively less insane, the Watering Hole 12 of LIV Golf Adelaide is not so far behind. The hole has a history of experiencing the breakaway league’s first hole-in-one by Chase Koepka in 2023 and a consequent shower of beer on the star by fans standing up close. But there is a dark side to this historic moment as well.

The damage to the greens of Grange Golf Club, and the subsequent lack of adequate compensation led to anguish among the club’s enraged members. These members pay an initial once-off fee of $7500 upfront to become members, followed by an annual fee of $4,000 to tee up on its greens. Undoubtedly, then, all their efforts and money went in vain when they witnessed the aftermath of the then-ruined course.

While members recognized how LIV Golf put their club in the “international spotlight,” they were not so happy with the aftermath that was left on their hands. A member, Trevor Craig, also said, “A profit-making circus has come to town, and the people paying the price are the members.”

A fair share of members agreed to not have LIV Golf organize forthcoming editions of their events on their course. Many believed that they had paid “too big of a price” by hosting the event. Mr. Craig added, “We were promised it would be given back the way they received it.” The dream of a restored course remained a dream. In light of this, what is the venue of the upcoming 2024 LIV Golf Adelaide?

What is LIV Golf Adelaide’s venue this year?

LIV Golf’s upcoming event will remain stationed at the Grange Golf Club from April 26th to 28th. But how is that possible in light of the disregard among club members last year? As per reports, while some members agreed that they would not want the Saudi-backed league to tee up on its course again, a vast majority remained open to the idea.

The club’s general manager, Barry Linke, even said, “We have received many emails, letters, and phone calls congratulating the club for delivering the event. We look forward to planning the next event with more preparation time than was available for this year’s event.” 

It remains to be seen whether the club will feature improved protective measures this year or not. So far, the PGA Tour’s Party Hole 16 seems to have the upper hand in this tug of war.