Arizona's Golf Tourneys to Watch in 2021

You'll hopefully have the chance to see the best swings up close at a variety of tournaments (or at least get inspired to plan your next trip here by watching the action on TV, pending COVID-19 spectator protocols). Here's a primer on the tournaments to watch:

Waste Management Phoenix Open
When: February 1-7
Where: TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course
One of the most popular golf tournaments in the world, known as the "Greatest Show on Grass," is held right in Scottsdale. An enthusiastic crowd, especially on the famously rowdy 16th hole, provides a highly vocal soundtrack for PGA Tour golfers.
Where to watch: NBC/Golf Channel
Off-course: Spring training will just be getting underway at nearby Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, where the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies practice. Or get your hiking shoes and explore the trails throughout the McDowell Mountains that are visible east of the course.

2019 Cologuard Classic (Credit: Chris Mooney)

Cologuard Classic
When: Feb. 21-28
Where: Omni Tucson National
The Champions Tour takes on the Catalina Course, a layout that hosted the PGA Tour 30 times from the mid-1960s through the mid-2000s. World Golf Hall of Famer Bernhard Langer is the defending champion.
Where to watch: Golf Channel
Off-course: Saguaros are synonymous with the Southwest, and you can see thousands of them spread over 91,000 acres at Saguaro National Park in Tucson.

Grayhawk Golf Club Raptor Course (Credit: Bill Hornstein)

2021 NCAA Men's and Women's Division I Championships
When: May 21-26 (Women); May 28 – June 2 (Men)
Where: Grayhawk Golf Club, Scottsdale
The best women's and men's Division 1 college teams in the country compete for their respective national championships on the Tom Fazio-designed Raptor Course. After 54 holes of stroke play, the top eight teams are seeded and battle in a match play format to determine the winning schools.
Where to watch: Golf Channel
Off-course: Good golf swings are full of rhythm and tempo, just like musicians. You can see tools used by the latter from around the world at the Musical Instrument Museum.

The Patriots' Outpost at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship

Charles Schwab Cup Championship
When:: November 8-14
Where: Phoenix Country Club
The season finale of the Champions Tour brings together the 36 top-performing pros in the age 50-and-up crowd, with many names you'll recognize from their time on the PGA Tour. The venue is one of the oldest and most historic private clubs in Arizona.
Where to watch: Golf Channel
Off-course: Golf requires patience, focus and creativity. So does art. See plenty of the latter on display at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Patriot All-American Golf Tournament
When: December 27-31
Where: Wigwam Resort, Litchfield
You can see 84 players who have earned PING All-America honors in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as the NAIA and NJCAA Divisions I and II play in this special 54-hole event now in its 11th year. Each participant uses a golf bag bearing the name of a fallen or severely injured U.S. soldier.
Where to watch: Stream it live at patriotallamerica.com/event-info.
Off-course: Shopping, restaurants, and special events can all be found at the Westgate Entertainment District in nearby Glendale.