10 Tips for a Great Charity Golf Tournament!
Make your next Tournament
or outing a success with these helpful hints.
#1 Selecting the proper golf course
Target a quality golf course in a central location. Find a facility that offers an event package with added value, a professional staff, reasonable prices, and great food! Choose a course that reflects the skill level of the players you’re targeting. Public courses are generally available to host outside events any day of the week but will cost more Friday – Sunday. Private courses are typically more expensive and have limited availability, but the sense of exclusivity may attract more participants. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, visit each course on a day when an event is being held. This will give you a feel for the service level provided by the staff, player satisfaction and the overall golf tournament experience at each golf course you are considering.
#2 Sponsorships
Instead of searching for a single sponsor to finance your entire golf tournament, offer multiple sponsorships to cover things like breakfast, the driving range, the tournament gift program/ custom logo glove program.. etc. Offer unique sponsorship opportunities that appeal to a broad range of companies and can be interactive during the course of play such as hole-in-one contests, million dollar shots, and putting contests. Hole sponsorships are an affordable option for companies and cost very little for you, sell as many as possible.
One of our most popular programs offered is our dual logo program where your sponsor will provide funding for your participant gift program in exchange for having their logo on your custom logoed golf glove!
Dual Logo example
Your sponsor can have their logo placed on your custom logoed golf glove and you can still have your Company/Organization’s logo on one of our accessories such as hat clip ( pictured above)/ divot tool etc.
#3 Committees
Of Paramount Importance… Build your committee including golfers and non-golfers. Select passionate folks who are connected within the
community. Once the committee is formed set goals, establish a budget, create a timeline and designate individuals to handle specific tasks.
#4 Selecting a Charity Golf Tournament Format
There are several golf tournament formats out there, don’t be afraid to try something a little different. The Scramble is probably the most-common
format for teams, but other options such as a Shamble, Step Away, Best Ball or other team formats may attract many new recruits and mix things up a bit. Remember to select a format that keeps play under 5 hours.
#5 Promote & Advertise
Promoting your Charity Golf Tournament should expose your organization, sponsors, and be used to recruit players. Direct mail, brochures and e-blasts are all great ways to the word out about your event. Build and maintain a golfer and sponsor database. This will pay for itself many times over as you’ll have the ability to stay in touch with all participants throughout the year. Follow-up your mailings and emails! Starting with a ‘save the date’ announcement, follow that up with invitations to the event and finally make personal phone calls.
Free publicity is the best. Talk to your local newspaper and radio stations. If you’re raising money for a good cause they may be inclined to help promote your event. Invite their staff to your event?
#6 Create a Tournament Website
Simply put… gotta have one! Tthis is best way to promote and advertise your charity golf tournament! Tournament websites can single-handedly increase awareness of your event, showcase the charity, and give much need exposure for the sponsors. Tournament websites with online registration and payment capabilities allow you to secure entry fees via credit card prior to the event which reduces cancellations, no-shows and last minute payments.
#7 Event Day Activities
Event day contests are a great way to recruit players, generate excitement and build your tournament identity. Some typical examples of event day
activities include longest drive, longest putt, and closest to the pin contests. If you’re looking to create a truly memorable experience, try insurance
backed activities such as Hole-in-One contests (if a player makes a hole-in-one, they win a car or another big ticket item), a Million Dollar Shot or a $10,000 Putting contests. These activities are surprisingly affordable ( perhaps get a sponsor to underwrite?), lots of fun and they can help to generate significant additional revenue. Best of all, you assume no risk.
#8 Perceived Value
A successful Charity Golf Tournament sets itself apart by giving players a sense that they received more than they paid for. Create “perceived value” by providing a unique experience. Offer impressive golf tournament prizes/ golf tournament tee gift and be sure to give every player some kind of a gift. You can create loyalty and increase retention rates based on your tournament gift package. Quality gifts will take your event to the next level and when you utilize sponsorships to cover the costs there’s no additional out-of- pocket expense.
#9 Awards Banquet
It’s important to make the after party or award dinner fun and first-class. This is the last impression you’ll have on the players and sponsors. Choose a nice banquet room in the clubhouse that’s large enough to accommodate your group. Be sure there are plenty of places to sit. Select a master of ceremonies to host the presentation. Handing out quality golf tournament awards will lend credibility to the event and excite participants. Provide a good meal and plenty of drinks. Offering a dinner only option for non-players and spouses is a great way to include more people and generate additional revenue.
During the festivities, take time to thank and recognize your committees and sponsors. Consider presenting them with a token gift of appreciation if the budget allows. This will go a long way toward ensuring their assistance for next year’s event. Perhaps give each person your custom logo golf glove?
#10 Event Day – Mix, Mingle & Document
While your tournament is taking place, jump on a cart and hit the course! This is a perfect opportunity to visit with each group, shake hands, and ask questions. Listen to your participants and record what you hear for next year’s tournament. Be active in thanking each and every golfer. This is a great time to introduce yourself to everyone, remember now’s the time to think about next year’s tournament!
Don’t forget to document the event with photos. A picture is worth a thousand words so make sure you take several. Photos of the entire group, the winners, teams, action shots and pictures taken during the awards dinner or after party are perfect for your website, flyers, postcards and local media.
For more information call Peter Ruzyski at 1-866-871-5837, or visit our website at www.millenniumlogoglove.com
