Apple Pay Hits The PGA Tour For The First Time

Apple Pay, which has already hit pro basketball courts and major league baseball stadiums, is now headed for the golf course, according to Cult of Mac.

For this week’s Phoenix Open golf tournament, MasterCard has cut a deal with the PGA to wire up some concessions so they can fully support Apple’s contactless payment system. Under the deal, Prom Management Group, which provides catering to dozens of professional golf tour events, will accept Apple Pay at food and beverage concessions near the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale — the first time Apple Pay will be accepted on the PGA Tour.

While the Apple Pay-supporting concessions are only at the 16th hole, it’s worth knowing that the 16th is arguably the centerpiece for spectators at TPC Scottsdale, and is surrounded on all sides by stadium seating. The golf tournament itself — officially the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open — annually draws the largest crowds on the PGA tour.

The Phoenix tournament starts Thursday (Jan. 29), and will be the first PGA Tour event where Apple Pay is accepted. Prom Management also plans to integrate Apple Pay at other tournaments throughout the 2015 season.

“As always, we anticipate extremely large crowds this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and it only makes sense that this is the venue where we introduce this simple and secure mobile payment technology that will further enhance the spectator experience,” said PGA Tour SVP Rob Ohno. “Technology is guiding the evolution of golf from both a player and spectator experience. Our long-standing relationship with MasterCard has helped ensure that we are delivering the latest in payment technology.”

MasterCard rolled out Apple Pay for the World Series in October at the baseball parks for both the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants. In December, Chase and E15 Group brought Apple Pay to select concessions at the Orlando Magic’s home court, the Amway Center.