Southern California native George Thimsen didn’t get into golf until he moved to Phoenix in 2013, but he proved a quick study. Joining the Thunderbirds service fraternity in 2017, the California State University, Chico-educated marketing professional quickly became a behind-the-scenes fixture at the Phoenix Open, serving in multiple roles before ascending to the tournament chairmanship in 2024. A longtime executive with Red Bull, 43-year-old Thimsen co-founded Timeless, a Phoenix-based cannabis company, in 2019 – making him the ideal man to lead “the greenest show on grass.”
By Tom Mackin | Photo by Brandon Tigrett
How many pro golf tournaments had you attended before your first WM Phoenix Open in 2014?
None. And the WM Phoenix Open was not what I expected. My team at Red Bull had suggested getting involved as a sponsor, and I said, “You guys know we work for Red Bull, right? A golf tournament does not seem on brand for us.” They said, “Wait until you see it.” They were right.
What are the toughest and easiest parts of being chairman?
Toughest has probably been time management. You’re building a business with a team, so you don’t want to let down folks who depend on you. I also have my wife and two young daughters, so I need to be there for them. The easy side is [managing] our team of Thunderbirds, who are all-in on their jobs.
What’s new this year?
The DraftKings Sportsbook will be a ticketed venue, and there will be a DJ plus food and drink options in that parking lot. There will also be a new venue at the 9th green with hospitality suites on the top level and public areas below those. One of the biggest acts in the world, Post Malone, is playing the Concert in the Coliseum on 16 the Saturday before the tournament, and the Birds Nest lineup is also really, really good.
In 2024, the PGA is removing the “signature” designation that allowed the WM Phoenix Open to offer a record $18 million purse last year. Does having less prize money hinder efforts to recruit top golfers?
No, I don’t think that will have much impact on the strength of our field or the success of our tournament… [the Open] is more than a golf tournament; it’s a community celebration with 88 years of history, routinely acknowledged as one of the best stops on the PGA TOUR, with or without [any] designation. We anticipate another outstanding tournament in 2024, [and] that includes another great field.
How many Red Bulls do you think you will average per day during the tournament?
Let’s put the over/under on that at six per day! Those are long days.
