By Tom Mackin | photo by Mirelle Inglefield
Jason Eisenberg fondly recalls tumbling around TPC Scottsdale’s grassy hills with elementary school buddies from Arcadia at his first WM Phoenix Open in the early 1990s. Three decades later, the 43-year-old Thunderbird will remain decidedly upright as the 2026 WMPO chairman, marshaling his skills as president of the Eisenberg Company, a privately held commercial real estate firm, to ensure a successful tournament.
USUALLY, THE TOP FLOOR IS THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER SPACE IN REAL ESTATE. BUT YOU’RE INTRODUCING A NEW GROUND-FLOOR SEATING OPTION AT 16 THIS YEAR. WHY?
In real estate, you’re paying for the view. Usually, the view up top is the best, but with our new Pin Hi Club, the view just left of the green is the best. Those suites will be incredibly close to the action. Those will become the new best seats in the house.
WHAT’S THE MOST UNDERUTILIZED TOURNAMENT REAL ESTATE LEFT AT TPC SCOTTSDALE?
The front nine is ripe for a venue in the future. It could be around holes 4 or 5 over near the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. We’re heavily concentrated now on holes 15 to 18, so I think getting some more folks out there would be the right move.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN FROM MATT MOONEY, LAST YEAR’S CHAIRMAN?
The best advice he gave me was pick one or two things that you are really passionate about and do those well. You can’t do everything. So, focusing on the 16th hole infrastructure and making that new has been fun, and so has making the overall fan experience better.
YOU LIVE IN ARCADIA. IS THAT A TYPICAL COMMUTE FOR A CHAIRMAN?
We’ve had some from North Scottsdale, but it’s a blessing and a curse. You don’t want to live too close, because then you can get sucked too far into the black hole of TPC. You need some distance for your sanity, and I’m about 20 minutes away door-to-door. Not too close, yet not too far.
THE FINAL ROUND CONCLUDES ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY. WHAT TEAM WOULD YOU RUSH HOME TO WATCH AFTER THE LAST PUTT DROPS?
Being born and raised here, I am a Cardinals fan, but my grandparents are from Kansas City, so my fallback position is being a Chiefs fan.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST ROUND AT TPC SCOTTSDALE?
I’m a 12 handicap. I think I’ve shot a low 80s round, but there may have been a couple of foot wedges in there. I’m not qualifying for the tournament anytime soon.
