GOLF TOURNAMENT TIPS
Tournament Promotion Ideas:
Decide on a theme for your tournament. Most golf tournaments are fundraisers. Give your tournament a name such as:
The 1st Annual _________ Golf Tournament
The following year, use:
The 2nd Annual ___________Golf Tournament
Branding and logos will set your tournament apart.
Most golf tournaments take place on a Monday because country clubs are closed for member play that day. It is common practice for the club to ask for a guarantee so promoting your golf tournament is critical. Try and negotiate a rain date with the golf club manager. You can also negotiate the cost. The economy is tough and they want your business. If they won’t budge on the cost, try for some freebies like their logo golf balls.
Decide on a playing format. Most golf tournaments are scrambles. The golf pro can help you and will keep tally the winning scores. Once a date has been set for your golf outing, purchase “Save The date Magnets” (available here) and hand them out at key functions or use as mailers.
Try to promote your golf tournament through a celebrity or well known member of the community. You can request them to serve as Master of Ceremonies of your gold dinner.
Raising Money:
It is important to raise more than the entry fee money for the golf tournament. Additional proceeds can be achieved by:
Selling Golf Tournament Sponsorships
Keep it simple the first year: Gold & Silver levels
You need to define what that buys the sponsor i.e.:
Gold: 2 golf foursomes, 1 tee sign, name on flier, name on dinner sponsor sign (available here)
Silver: 1 golf foursome, 1 tee sign, name on flier
Selling Golf Hole Sponsor Tee Signs (available here)
Holding 50/50 Raffles
Having a Silent Auction
Prizes can be solicited from other country clubs. Most golf pros are willing to give you a certificate for a free round of golf, just ask! Put a minimum price on the outing to encourage higher bidding.
Get friends or committee members to donate things sitting in their garage. Most people have new items they’d be willing to donate.
Solicit credit card/airline mileage so you can purchase other items.
Promote on-course mini challenges such as:
Beat the pro’s shot to the green…cost $10.00 on the spot
Hole in one wins a car (needs to be on a special par 3 with advanced purchased insurance).
Closest to the pin contest
Closest to the line contest
Longest drive contest
Accepting Credit Card payments will increase your sales because golfers don’t carry a lot of money in their pockets for obvious reasons.
Golfer Goody Bags:
Most golf tournaments present a “goody bag” to each golfer. The golf goody bag can be filled with a variety of donated products from suntan lotion, lip balm, golf balls, golf tees, golf hat and or golf shirt. These items can be imprinted with their logo and the tournament logo. Divot repair tools and ball markers/with logos (available here) are a nice touch.
Most tournaments are played from golf carts. In the summer, consider having a sponsor for an insulated water logo/cup which is an extension of the goody bag.
Golf Prizes:
It is the prestige of winning that matters most. Be sure to take photographs of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. You can use these photos to promote next year’s golf outing.
The prizes do not have to be expensive. Gift certificates to the pro shop are in order (negotiate the value up front). You can give token winner medals on a ribbon (available here).
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