The Phoenix Open started this week. This year, the main tent will be held up by a special spike, forged from steel from the World Trade Center, to honor the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
September 2021 marked 20 years since the twin towers fell on 9/11. For this year’s golf tournament, the Phoenix Open sponsors, the Thunderbirds, will unveil a commemorative tent spike forged from the buildings’ steel.
The Mesa blacksmiths who forged the spike, Avi Goodman of Iron Rhino and Jacie Cotterell of Red Front Forge, said it is reinforced with minerals and ores native to Arizona. This includes antique wrought iron from Patagonia and black sand from Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff.
“What we hope is that when people see it, they look at what it is and the way its layered, hopefully it reminds people that we’re all together in this,” Goodman said.
Both Goodman and Cotterell have personal connections to the piece and say they hope it brings strength and reverence to those who get the chance to see it in person.
