How To Host A Golf Tournament Fundraiser
- Contact a golf course for your fundraiser. Sign a contract with the golf course where you plan on hosting your event to make sure that you have the date secured ...
- Create a planning document for your fundraising committee. The planning document should involve everything you need to make your fundraiser a success. ...
- Decide what fee you will charge for your fundraiser. Golf tournament fees are usually pretty high. ...
- Assemble a sponsorship packet for your fundraiser. A sponsorship packet is extremely important for your fundraiser. ...
- Create fliers to hand our for your fundraiser. It’s important to publicize your fundraiser as much as possible. ...
- Make sure you have food at your fundraiser. Golf tournaments are expected to be entire day events, which means you should have meals available for participants at your fundraising event.
- Set a fundraising goal. ...
- Pick a format. ...
- Find your venue. ...
- Don't just rely on donations. ...
- Look for sponsors. ...
- Build your event website. ...
- Promote your event. ...
- During your fundraising event.
How to produce a successful golf tournament?
When working with a committee, here are a few key things to remember:
- Finding Volunteers – Committee members are found within your industry. Call on vendors and businesses in your industry.
- Recruiting Volunteers – Give them what they want. They want to network, serve, make friends, pay dues, see action and get recognition.
- Give Volunteers Direction – Set goals and give instructions in writing.
How to plan and run a successful golf tournament?
- Get the Volunteers Ready: As we’ve said before, your volunteers are the key to your triumph, and the tools you will ride to a truly successful tournament. ...
- Make sure to have 2 volunteers on hand for golf course, sign, and awards set up,
- 6 to manage golfer check in
- 2 for Photos
- 4 spotters for hole-in-one contests on par 3s
- 2 for water distribution
How do you organize a charity golf tournament?
Tips for Organizing a Charity Tournament
- Set Up a Planning Committee. – Start by appointing a tournament director responsible for overall tournament coordination. ...
- Pick Date and a Golf Course. ...
- Determine a Budget. ...
- Find Sponsors. ...
- Decide on a Tournament Format –. ...
- Have Separate Contests Throughout the Day. ...
- Promote Your Event. ...
- Get Ready for the Day of the Tournament. ...
How to run a successful charity golf tournament?
When making the best deal here a couple of things to remember:
- Have a mutual contact and relationship
- Have a good cause
- Tournament during the shoulder season
- Monday – Thursday PM
- Bring them additional business
How much money can you make from a golf tournament fundraiser?
Golf tournament fundraisers are extremely popular in the nonprofit world. There are generally over one million golf outings a year. These events can bring in revenue from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the size of your organization.
How do golf fundraisers make money?
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.
How do I set up a golf competition?
InstructionsAnnounce the tournament several months in advance. You want to interest enough players. ... Choose a format. ... Utilize flights. ... Consider a shotgun start. ... Decide whether there will be a cut. ... Post scores and provide trophies, as well as prizes.
How do you organize a mini golf tournament?
How to Organize a Mini Golf TournamentChoose your course(s) ... Invite your players. ... Organize teams. ... Decide on your start: shotgun style or tee-off time? ... Gather prizes. ... Order a trophy. ... Prepare golf themed snacks.
Are golf tournaments good fundraisers?
Golf tournaments can be very successful fundraising events when done right. Player registration fees provide a baseline for obtaining funds; however, there are plenty of opportunities to raise money before, during, and after the charity tournament takes place.
How do you sponsor a golf tournament?
Who Should I Reach Out to for Golf Tournament Sponsorship? Create a list of potential prospects. Start by having committee members write down potential sponsors in their network including friends, family, and acquaintances. Don't be afraid to reach out to customers and clients to support your event, too.
How do golf club competitions work?
The rules are very simple. Every player (or team) counts the total number of strokes they have taken over the 18 holes and whoever has the lower total nett score (gross score minus handicap) wins.
How long does it take to plan a golf 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 work?
Professional golf tournaments are played over four rounds of 18-holes. These events tend to start on a Thursday and finish on a Sunday. Except for the WGC Dell Technologies Championship, played over five days. The event tees off on a Wednesday and concludes on Sunday.
How to plan a golf tournament for charity?
If you’re ready to plan your charity golf tournament, read on for tips to get you started! 1. Set a fundraising goal. When planning any fundraising campaign, the first thing you need to determine is how much you need to raise during your event. You’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you identify them and write them down, ...
What does hosting a great event take?
Hosting a great event takes money, and your organization wants to make sure donations support your mission. That’s where sponsors come in!
How many people give charitably?
While Americans do love to support our favorite nonprofits (after all, 69% of us give charitably!), you don’t want to limit yourself to just donations.
How to accommodate current course requirements?
You can also accommodate current course requirements by offering tee times over the course of a week and tracking scoring on an app. This allows you to avoid the crowding that shotgun starts require and using a scoring app like Hole 19 eliminates another touch point for a safer event. Allowing more flexibility through tee times can also increase participation, since potential donors have more opportunities to fit your event into their schedules.
How to help yourself with a caterer?
You can help yourself by making sure you and all participating staff have a detailed schedule that lists everything from when the caterers arrive to what time you expect to be done with cleanup. You should also include who the point person will be for each part of your event, so staff and volunteers know who to go to if something’s wrong.
What is the most important thing to keep in mind when appealing to your donors?
The most important thing to keep in mind is appealing to your donors’ preferences!
Is golf a fundraiser?
There’s never been a better time to learn how to organize a golf tournament fundraiser. After all, one in three Americans over the age of 6 played, watched, or read about golf in 2019, and that number went up in 2020. Golf has the distinction of being both a family-friendly activity and an activity that’s easy to make safe in the middle ...
What is a golf fundraiser?
Golf fundraisers provide a popular event type that, when well-planned, secures generous funds for your organization.
How to promote a golf tournament?
Invites and promotion: Set up a dedicated golf charity event page on your website where participants can register. Advertise the big day on social media, in local newspapers and radio. Submit features about your nonprofit and upcoming events into other area publications, then post flyers and ads at local businesses. Send specialized advertising e-campaigns to your professional and personal networks via email — anything you can do to spread the word about your tournament and its cause.
What is golf fundraising software?
Your golf fundraising software is uniquely designed for the functions of workloads of nonprofit events, even allowing you to manage multiple upcoming fundraisers simultaneously. Plus, you can customize the aesthetics of many platforms themselves, making your donation and event pages match your nonprofit’s current brand visuals with rich text and video options.
How does golf tournament software work?
Charity golf tournament software works as a centralized planning system. It reduces the need for multiple computer applications and document-storing systems to organize vendors, registration, ticketing, advertising campaigns, event communications and more. These are the essential functions to orchestrating a fundraiser to begin with, often falling on the shoulders of a handful of staff. By using golf fundraising software, you simplify and expedite all those tasks.
What is Charity Event Management Software?
Charity event-management software with a built-in registration portal streamlines tournament RSVPs and day-of check-ins. It also complements a mobile ticketing solution. Attendees have their information securely stored in your software as soon as they purchase their ticket, speeding up day-of sign-ins. It also allows guests to effortlessly purchase ticket add-ons, such as mulligans or event raffle tickets, with just a few clicks, since their account information is all right there.
What is sprinkled across the golf course?
Games sprinkled across the tournament and back in the clubhouse are a perfect way to entertain guests before and after the formal tournament. It’s also a great draw for players’ families, who may also be in attendance but not participating in any golfing.
What to do at the ninth hole of golf?
A volunteer can drive the cart around the course, conveniently bringing refreshments to your players. Or you can set up shop around the ninth hole , offering players a rejuvenating “halftime” break before diving back into their game.
How to do a golf fundraiser?
1. Planning and marketing your golf fundraiser. For a smooth charity golf tournament when the day rolls around, you need a plan and a team willing and prepared to pull it off. We recommend starting your planning months in advance. More involved tournaments with longer guest lists and a charity auction element will need longer.
How to keep your fundraising team accountable?
Set achievable goals for your organization. Setting goals with specific numerical targets is a great way to keep your fundraising team accountable for meeting those goals.
What is the conclusion of a successful fundraising event?
The conclusion of a successful fundraising event provides you with an incredible opportunity to share with the world how amazing your nonprofit and your donors are. Plus, your donors love being publicly acknowledged. They’ll be looking for updates about your fundraising goal, too.
What is a fundraising thermometer?
If your tournament is part of a larger campaign, create a page to host a fundraising thermometer! They’re an easy and effective tool for tracking progress, sharing on social media, and acknowledging your donors.
What is a custom event page?
Custom event pages, to serve as the branded information and ticketing hub for your event.
How to reach out to potential donors?
Prospective major donors, reach out directly through a mutual connection or a high-level staff member at your nonprofit.
Is golf a laid back way to spend a Saturday?
While playing in a charity golf tournament is a laid-back way to spend a Saturday, the planning that goes into a successful fundraiser is something else entirely.
How to spread the word about golf fundraisers?
Encourage them to spread the word about your charity golf fundraiser on their own social media pages by integrating social media into your event microsite, hosted by OneCause.
How many chances are there to raise money for a golf tournament?
Any golf tournament fundraiser presents countless opportunities to bring in additional donations per golfer. More specifically, there are at least 18 chances — one per hole — and approximately 4 hours of fundraising time on the course alone! It’s time to take your golf tournament fundraiser to the next level.
How does the pink ball golf game work?
Here’s how it works: each foursome pays for one pink golf ball, which is rotated between players at each hole. At each hole, the score of the golfer with the pink ball is recorded. Any team that loses the ball is eliminated.
What is a par 3 golf contest?
Used on a par 3 hole, this contest is one of skill. The golfer to get closest to the pin after the first swing wins. Alternatively, for a particularly challenging par 3, the winner can be decided by the closest to the pin after 3 swings each.
What is a volunteer at a golf hole?
Station a volunteer, committee member, or board member at a hole to ask each golfer to make a donation on the spot.
Where can I hold a putting contest?
Alternatively, you can hold a standalone putting contest on the first green or at a mini-golf course.
Is golf a popular fundraiser?
Charity golf outings are increasingly popular thanks to mobile fundraising technology. There are endless opportunities to engage your supporters out on the links.
How to promote a golf tournament?
Design a media kit and send to various radio, television, and newspaper outlets to promote your golf tournament. Include general fliers and registration forms. If you have an established presence on social media, it is a good idea to use such platforms as Facebook, Twitter or other niche social networks, to promote your golf tournament. If a charity is organizing the golf event, using Kickstarter is necessary.
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.
Why is 18 hole golf good for charity?
The 18 hole format is best for a charity golf event so that the participants will feel they are getting the most for their money, even when that money is going to charity. Plus, it opens up more holes for sponsorship.
Why do you need to outfit your golf course?
Properly outfitting your golf tournament has multiple advantages, so be sure to not sacrifice quality to get low prices. Benefits include: free advertising on other courses, to connect your charity/business with great memories and name recognition in the tournament.
How many players are in a group in a game?
Keep track of the groups and payments as they sign up. Typically, groups consist of four players. You may pair individual participants with other single players or groups who do not have enough players. Finalize your order for trophies, prizes, and memorabilia based on your final registration date numbers.
What is a sponsor packet?
Assemble sponsor packets and send to area businesses. Sponsors can be companies or individuals who donate money or items to your fundraising event. In return, the sponsor's name is advertised on a banner or marker at one of the golf holes.
What to order for key volunteers?
When ordering trophies, prizes and memorabilia, consider a thank you item for key volunteers and their teams. Custom t-shirts, pens, mugs, or key tags are a few options.
How to make a golf tournament a fundraiser?
While a love for golf is a must, the real secret behind a fundraising tournament is people. Have a passion for helping others. Put together a great team. Build relationships and network with new people. And work together to make the tournament a great experience.
What background is needed for a tournament chairperson?
Executive Chairperson: A sales, nonprofit, management, or business development background makes for an excellent pick for the tournament committee chairperson. He or she will need to forge strong relationships and partnerships with community leaders and business owners in a short amount of time and secure important sponsorships and donations.
How to thank sponsors for a fundraiser?
Even if your agreement didn’t require it, make sure to acknowledge the generosity of your sponsor on event day. Materials handed out to participants should thank your sponsors and emcee scripts should verbally acknowledge their contributions. Send a handwritten thank you note after the event.
What to do if your tournament isn't already associated with an organization?
If your tournament isn’t already associated with an organization or cause, you will need to choose a beneficiary for your event. There are potentially hundreds of charities in your area who could benefit from your efforts. Whether your passion is education, children, animals, health, or community improvement, there’s a charity working for a cause you care about.
How do sponsors measure success?
Your sponsors will measure success by your execution of the event as well as your acknowledgement of their contributions. Sponsors will be pleased if you follow these tips:
How to make sure volunteers have a great time?
Volunteer Success. The best way to make sure your volunteers have a great time is to take care of all the little things. Make sure you: Have a system in place for registration check-in and make sure your volunteers are educated about the process beforehand.
Do seasoned golfers have previous tournaments?
You will encounter seasoned golfers who have participated in previous tournaments. Ask their advice. Their real world experience will likely save you time and head off potential problems.
2. Consider Hiring a Consultant
Paying for consultant services might not be for everyone, but it is worth looking into. A consultant can potentially free up your time while also making your event more profitable. Consultants will often charge several thousand dollars or take a percentage of the event’s profits.
3. Recruit Volunteers
When planning any event, don’t try to go at it alone. There are numerous details involved in running a charity golf tournament, and you will burn out if you try to carry the entire load. Set your event up for success and recruit volunteers.
5. Finding a Golf Course at the Right Price
When it comes to finding the perfect golf course for your tournament at an affordable cost, it is possible to get the best of both worlds.
6. Time to Get Sponsored
If you want to make a profit on your charity event, sponsors are the way to go. To succeed in this area, you will need to show prospective sponsors that it is a win-win relationship. You will receive profits for your charity, but they will receive exposure to the tournament’s attendees.
7. Offer an Olive Branch to Your Sponsors
Once you have secured your sponsors, you will want to make sure you give them a good time at your charity outing. One way to do this is to offer the free participation in your event to the contact at the organization and perhaps a few additional team members.
8. Recruit Golfers
If you want to run a charity golf tournament, then you will need to have actual golfers committed to attending. One strategy to ensure you have a full tournament is to get nine of your committee members to invite a group of four golfers to join the tournament.
9. Networking & Promoting
You could invest some money to promote your charity event, but the best way to get the word out is through networking. Building solid relationships with golfers and sponsors in your community will get them to return each year you host the golf tournament.
How much money does a golf tournament raise?
There are over 1,000,000 golf events in this country each year. The average golf tournament in the US raises $5,000.
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 ...
How to build memories in golf?
Games and contests build memories. Beginner golfers enjoy additional activities on the course. Give them games and contests and they will remember your event. It also gives you an opportunity to announce more winners. The more winners you have the better.
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.
How to make your event profitable?
Don’t spend more than you bring in and your event will be profitable. Charge for all playing spots. Sponsors are your profit.
What is a sponsor?
Sponsors are companies that want to give to your cause, build relations with your members and most important have a relation with you. Call on all of the vendors within your industry, give them value and the opportunity to invest.
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 do you have to sink a putt before advancing to the long putt?
Some tournaments require players to sink a 10-footer before advancing to the long putt to limit the chance of someone winning.
What is skill contest?
The goal of a skill contest is to add some additional excitement to the day. Select a mix of contests that will appeal to avid golfers and beginners alike. Many courses offer services to run these contests for you. Read more about picking the right golf course for your outing.
Can you throw a shot instead of hitting it with your club?
Allow golfers to choose to throw one of their shots instead of hitting it with their club. Thrown shots are a huge hit among novice golfers who hate to hit chip shots.
