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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — You’ve probably seen the little guy cruising around on his remote control boat during the TV coverage of the Waste Management Phoenix.
His name is the Green Gopher. Sometimes he wears a headband. This year, he’s donning a mask. On Super Bowl Sunday, he’ll sport some sort of NFL gear, although his official spokesman would divulge nothing further so as to not spoil the surprise. A mini TB12 jersey, perhaps? Again, no secrets could be revealed.
For viewers on TV or fans at the course, he’s probably just a fun gimmick, a slick way for Waste Management to get some airtime for its logo.
Waste Management Phoenix Open: Photos | Leaderboard | Winner’s bag
But in reality, the Green Gopher, officially the Waste Management Recycling Ambassador, has an actual job: to buzz around the lake and scare the birds away from the giant floating WM on the 18th hole, although Golfweek can confirm that the Green Gopher’s boat no longer shoots water at the birds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqznwZe4ZuM
So now you know the story behind the Caddyshack-inspired Waste Management Phoenix Open mascot.
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