how to make a golf tournament successful

Organizing a Successful Golf Tournament

• Step 1: Creating your Plan. Make no mistake; golf tournaments are large, unwieldy beasts that require months of...
• Step 2: Creating your Timeline. Think you’re above planning your timeline? Think again. The number 1 mistake you can...
• Step 3: Building your Committee. Your committee is what makes your tournament go. The people in...

Full Answer

How to run a successful golf tournament?

The following steps will help you run a golf tournament successfully. Set a tentative date to hold your event. Include a secondary date in case of rain the day of the event and you cannot play.

What is the purpose of a golf tournament?

There are a number of reasons to host a golf tournament: customer or employee appreciation, fundraising, competitive fun, and of course, networking. You’ll want to determine the overall purpose of this event. Setting goals are an important step when trying to accomplish anything in life.

How can I make more money from my golf tournaments?

Of course, if you wish to make more money – and spend more time setting up your tournament – there are other tournament formats you can use. These include Pro-Ams, Night Golf, and Golf-A-Thons. Each bring more to the table, and thus allow for higher fundraising possibilities.

How to organize a golf tournament?

Contact a golf course. In the planner, you should include sections for participants, sponsors, food vending, prizes, and accounting. Think ahead regarding the tournament format, handicapping systems (to equalize players' abilities), the signup process, how the registration table and the invitations will look like and of course budget.

How do you plan a successful golf outing?

Establish a TimelineSelect a tournament director.Select golf course.Determine date/time & negotiate contract.Establish a committee, meeting schedule, and duties.Choose a format.Select contests and events.Determine other activities.Research registration sites.More items...

How do I create a successful golf tournament fundraiser?

How to raise additional funds through your golf tournamentOffer a simultaneous skills workshop. ... Set up a cash bar golf cart. ... Create “mini-course” contests. ... Let players buy mulligans. ... Get corporate sponsors for a golf tournament. ... Sell nonprofit merchandise. ... Offer ticket packages.

Are golf tournaments profitable?

How much does the average golf tournament raise? The average event raises $5,000 net. There are events that raise $100,000 to $500,000 but it takes special ingredients. 3.

What do you need for a golf tournament?

A Quick 11 Checklist for Planning Your Company Golf TournamentVenue. Consider location, amenities, level of difficulty, and distance away from your office. ... Committee. Don't overlook the importance of a tournament committee. ... Corporate & Vendor Sponsors. ... Date. ... Charity. ... Format. ... Food & Beverage. ... Entry Fee.More items...•

How do you market a golf tournament?

How to Promote a Golf TournamentCreate Golf Tournament Website. ... Press Release for Local Media. ... Social Media Marketing. ... Event Title or Presenting Sponsorship. ... Hole-in-One Sponsorship. ... Golf Outing Hole Sponsorship. ... Promotional Item Gift Bags. ... Food & Drink Sponsors.More items...

What are some good fundraiser ideas?

Cheap fundraising ideas for schoolsArt sale. Selling kids' art is a surefire way to raise funds for your school—and the only cost is the art supplies. ... Historic tour. Get a volunteer from a local museum or historic site to give kids and caretakers a tour of the town in exchange for a donation. ... Marathon ask-a-thon.

Where do golf tournaments get their money?

As of 2012, television rights money provides 60 percent of each tournament's purse, according to an article in Forbes. The remaining 40 percent of the prize money is provided by the tournament's sponsors, who range from golf courses to large corporations and include a variety of organizations.

How much does it cost to sponsor a golf tournament?

Sponsoring a regular PGA Tour event costs in the neighborhood of $7 million per year. That money covers a portion of the purse, a television advertising commitment, a fee to the PGA Tour and to the tournament.

How do golf tournament sponsors make money?

Sponsors pay a fee to you in exchange for their company's visibility at the golf event, programs and in any press materials. The fees should at least cover the cost of the golf course or greens fees. That way ticket sales are mostly profit.

What makes a successful golf club?

Successful golf clubs have revealed their methods of recruiting and retaining new members: they're flexible, friendly and they offer low-cost ways to try the game. These key factors have emerged from research commissioned by England Golf to support the development of its new and ambitious Strategic Plan.

How do you organize a golf day?

PROMOTING THE EVENT Consider advertising in relevant golf newsletters or magazines. List your event on any community or public calendars. Display posters at the golf club you are using (and other golf clubs in the area if they allow you) as well as community centres, local shops or libraries.

How long does it take to plan a tournament?

As a general rule of thumb, you should allow at least six months for planning and promotion. You also want to schedule your golf tournament far enough ahead so that attendees can plan it into their schedules.

How does a golf tournament fundraiser work?

Golf tournament contests add excitement to your golf fundraiser by giving golfers an opportunity to win money and prizes. They also provide an opportunity for your organization to raise more money for your cause by collecting wagers and fees for participating.

Are golf tournament sponsorships tax deductible?

A golf tournament whose net proceeds are donated entirely to charity is eligible to qualify for the 100 percent deduction. Such an event would not fail to qualify solely because it offered prize money to golfers who participated or because it used paid concessionaires or security personnel.

How do you organize a golf scramble?

How to plan a successful golf scramble or tournamentDetermine Your Budget. ... Lock Down Some Sponsors. ... Pick the Right Golf Course. ... Know the Makeup and Skill Level of the Field. ... Determine Who's Running the Show. ... Give Thought to Tee Times and Scoring Formats. ... Make Sure There's Plenty Of Food and Drink.More items...•

What is a mulligan package?

Mulligans are also the most popular way to make extra revenue for an event, which will normally always go toward prizes and gifts. A typical tournament will allow people to purchase mulligans either individually, or by the package. For example, 1 mulligan for $5, or 3 mulligans for $10 (maximum is 3 per person).

Why do you have a golf tournament?

There are several reasons to have a golf tournament: Client Entertainment, Fundraising, Public Relations , Competition, and Networking. Define your purpose and make sure that the whole committee is on the same page. Once you have a plan, stick to it. With your plan get specific with your goals. If fundraising is your goal decide how much money ...

What is the most important thing about golf courses?

The most important thing is that the golf course wants your business . That they will treat you and your golfers like welcomed guests and with the utmost customer service. Getting the best deal possible is a reality. Golf courses do make deals. When making the best deal here a couple of things to remember: 1.

What are the key things to remember when working with a committee?

Committees are essential for producing a successful event. When working with a committee, here are a few key things to remember: 1. Finding Volunteers – Committee members are found within your industry.

Why is hosting a golf tournament important?

Hosting a golf tournament is an excellent way to treat friends, business colleagues, customers and members of your organization to a day of fun, fresh air, relaxation, friendly competition, networking and teamwork. Tournaments can also be used very successfully as a fundraiser for a wide variety of causes.

How much does it cost to register for a McKay Creek golf tournament?

Most tournaments make their money from sponsors, on-course games, raffles and auctions not the registration. Typical registration fees at McKay Creek are $18-40 for nine hole events and $48 to $75 for eighteen hole events depending on what is included (Cart, food, beverage, goodie bag)

Why are raffles so successful?

They allow everyone to participate, spend an amount they are comfortable with and ensure that golfers stick around to see if they won! Raffles are most successful when there are lots of items and a wide variety of small and large items. The more people that win the better!

Do tournaments have a budget?

Every tournament should have a detailed budget. For many of you raising money is the name of the game as most events are fundraisers! Creating and sticking to a budget will help your event be successful . Your budget should include some or all of the following expenses and incomes.

Do fundraisers rely on sponsors?

Fundraising tournaments rely on sponsors for a successful event. Simply offering a small sign and their name on the brochure is fine but the more you can offer the more they will pay. Companies are usually looking to increase their business and the event should be an effective marketing tool for them.

What is a golf tournament?

A golf tournament is a great way to host corporate clients or as a fundraising event. Work closely with the golf course for your tournament planning, especially if you have never been in charge of a golf event. The following steps will help you run a golf tournament successfully.

What are specialty holes?

Specialty holes may include Closest to the Hole, Longest Drive, or Hole in One. Have a female and male winner for each and present prizes at ceremony. Create a golf tournament-planning folder. In the planner, you should include sections for participants, sponsors, food vending, prizes, and accounting.

What is a wikihow article?

Download Article. X. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 13 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback.

Can you use Kickstarter for golf?

If a charity is organizing the golf event, using Kickstarter is necessary. Make copies of the flier and form to disperse to the golf course as well as friends and family who can spread the word. Information can also be sent via email if it is a corporate event. Keep track of the groups and payments as they sign up.

Do you have to wait until the day of a golf tournament to collect entry fees?

Do not wait until the day of your golf tournament to collect entry fees. Get money in advance to reduce the risk of losing money if participants fail to show. All entry money should be non-refundable.

Sell Mulligans

A mulligan, for those not into golf, is an extra turn that does not count on the score card. It’s a do-over of sorts but you needn’t go back to the beginning and completely restart. Some chambers have started selling mulligans before or during play.

Ball Drop

We aren’t all Tiger Woods so if your tournament is meant for non-serious golfers a ball drop can be a lot of fun. See if the location will give you golf balls (or get a sponsor). Then sell the balls and identify each with a color, number, or other mark.

Give Them the Bird

Want to even the playing field and make your golf tournament more about luck than skill? Then you might want to consider adopting what Jeremy Davidson, Marketing & Events Director at Shawnee Forward suggested, “We give teams the opportunity to give other teams ‘The Bird,’ which are extra strokes on their scorecard.

Go Beyond Golf

Many people enjoy breaking up the golf activities with something else. And here’s where there are a lot of creative opportunities for fun and frolic, not to mention Instagram gold.

Hit the Gong

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce used a sponsored gong with logo on the driving range and offered three chances to hit it. When someone did there was a loud echo that drew attention. You could sell shots and offer a prize for those who hit. The sound draws more people in too.

Putting for Proof

Samira Zimmerly shared that her chamber had great success with a “Putting for Proof Sponsor (where) you set up liquor bottles on the putting green and goers pay $5 to try to putt at the bottle they want to win.”

Silent Auction

An easy additional source of revenue is a silent auction. Set up a table at check-in where you feature as many as ten donated items and a sheet for people to bid. For maximum participation, move the table around to where the golfers are–at check-in, at side events (if there are any), and back again at your dinner/wrap-up/drinks end.

Why are golfers more likely to take part in a golf tournament?

Golfers will be more likely to take part if they have a relationship with the person, business, or organization that’s hosting the event. The one thing you will want to promote is your sponsors. Making sure signage and displays for sponsors are done correctly is crucial in getting them back in the years to come.

Why do you host a golf tournament?

There are a number of reasons to host a golf tournament: customer or employee appreciation, fundraising, competitive fun, and of course, networking . You’ll want to determine the overall purpose of this event. Setting goals are an important step when trying to accomplish anything in life. Running a golf tournament is no different.

What is sponsorship in golf?

Sponsors are a large part of every golf event, so it’s essential that you maintain a strong working relationship with these partners. Registrations: Make sure you assign a committee member to be in charge of registrations.

How to raise money at an awards dinner?

Auctions are easy ways to raise money at awards dinner for your charity event. Getting local companies to donate big-ticket items that can auctioned off will generate a significant amount of cash revenue.

How effective is the Defender game?

The Defender is a very effective 3-person game when playing with people of similar handicaps. The players must establish a rotation before teeing off so that each player is defending a different hole.