TOURNAMENT PLANNER
Tournaments can be a great resource but they require planning to be successful. There are 4 details that cannot be overlooked: plan around a budget, find the right mix of value versus cost, raise as much money as possible, and above all else, make sure the attendees have fun. This guide is designed to keep these points a priority, aiding in the creation of a successful event.
Make sure you start your tournament planning early. The golfers attending your tournament will be investing their time and money for your cause. Most importantly, they will be participating for fun. In the mind of a golfer, the value of a tournament is directly tied to the enjoyment found in the event. Value is a combination of the right course, the right price, the right entertainment, and the right gifts. Since these components are the basis for the tournament expense budget, they need to be taken into account early.
BUDGETING
Download the Tournament Budget spreadsheet here
The Tournament Budget spreadsheet will help:
• Find more areas to generate income
• Fully assess tournament expenses
• Find ways promotional products can add value for golfers and increase profitability
Top 5 Budgeting Questions
1 How much money do you want to raise?
2 What type of player are you trying to attract?
3 Which golf course is appropriate for your event?
4 How much will your players be willing to pay?
5 Are you offering enough value to achieve your goals?
Budgeting is the foundation for creating success. Because there is a considerable amount of competition among golf tournaments, a balanced budget is crucial. Tournament planners have to understand that companies and golfers only have enough time and money set aside for a few select events. It is critical to add as much value as possible to attract golfers, but the tournament must find a balance between cost and perceived value. The Price is Right. Be sure to take into account the market the event is being held in, the course selection, and
perceived value.
There are many creative ways to make the most of your charity golf tournament. Player registration fees provide a baseline for obtaining funds; however, the opportunity to raise dollars should not end there. There are many opportunities before, during, and after the tournament.
• Practice Greens: Every golfer passes it at least twice during the day. A sponsor can have one- on-one interaction allowing golfers to play a
quick putting game while positively representing the sponsor’s brand.
• Golf Carts: Recruit a company to sponsor every golf cart reducing the overhead of cart use.
• Golfer Gifts: Brand golfer gifts with the tournament event and sell the opportunity for a sponsor to be represented. This will give the
sponsor the ability to have their brand in front of people well after the event. (Examples include: Golf shirts, golf towels, golf gloves,
drinkware, divot repair tools, and ditty bags)
• Hole-in-One Contest
*Green FORE Green Fundraising Contest
• Closest to the Pin
• Longest Drive
• Drink Cart
• Don’t forget a Primary Tournament Sponsor
*Additional Fundraisers provided by Golf TLC before and during the event
*Cash-bar Golf Cart
Raise additional money by offering a fully stocked cash-bar cart. Outfit a golf cart with drinks, ice, and snacks, then sell them to golfers during the round. Plus a drink cart provides another great sponsor opportunity!
Closest to the Pin
This contest typically takes place on a par-3 hole and the tee shot landing closest to the pin wins! Often tournament planners will have one on-course contest for the front-nine and back-nine.
Silent auction
Gather popular items that will attract interest and active bidding. Golf lessons, a new set of irons, restaurant gift certificates, weekend get-a-ways, spa services, and art are all great options. Promote the auction in event marketing materials. On the day of the event,
showcase auction items enticing attendees with the opportunity to bid and win.
Mulligans
Definition: A mulligan, most simply put, is a “do-over.” Hit a bad shot? Take a mulligan and replay that stroke. Mulligans are most often employed during friendly rounds by golf buddies, or during charity tournaments where mulligans are sometimes sold. If mulligans are for sale, golfers can buy three mulligans for a set price each. The sale of mulligans is sometimes used as an additional fund-raiser at charitable events.
Fundraising Raffle
Host a raffle for prizes and sell raffle tickets during the registration process
FUN
Remember that is what everyone is at your tournament for. Sit back, relax and let Golf TLC help you!
Tournaments can be a great resource but they require planning to be successful. There are 4 details that cannot be overlooked: plan around a budget, find the right mix of value versus cost, raise as much money as possible, and above all else, make sure the attendees have fun. This guide is designed to keep these points a priority, aiding in the creation of a successful event.
Make sure you start your tournament planning early. The golfers attending your tournament will be investing their time and money for your cause. Most importantly, they will be participating for fun. In the mind of a golfer, the value of a tournament is directly tied to the enjoyment found in the event. Value is a combination of the right course, the right price, the right entertainment, and the right gifts. Since these components are the basis for the tournament expense budget, they need to be taken into account early.
BUDGETING
Download the Tournament Budget spreadsheet here
The Tournament Budget spreadsheet will help:
• Find more areas to generate income
• Fully assess tournament expenses
• Find ways promotional products can add value for golfers and increase profitability
Top 5 Budgeting Questions
1 How much money do you want to raise?
2 What type of player are you trying to attract?
3 Which golf course is appropriate for your event?
4 How much will your players be willing to pay?
5 Are you offering enough value to achieve your goals?
Budgeting is the foundation for creating success. Because there is a considerable amount of competition among golf tournaments, a balanced budget is crucial. Tournament planners have to understand that companies and golfers only have enough time and money set aside for a few select events. It is critical to add as much value as possible to attract golfers, but the tournament must find a balance between cost and perceived value. The Price is Right. Be sure to take into account the market the event is being held in, the course selection, and
perceived value.
There are many creative ways to make the most of your charity golf tournament. Player registration fees provide a baseline for obtaining funds; however, the opportunity to raise dollars should not end there. There are many opportunities before, during, and after the tournament.
• Practice Greens: Every golfer passes it at least twice during the day. A sponsor can have one- on-one interaction allowing golfers to play a
quick putting game while positively representing the sponsor’s brand.
• Golf Carts: Recruit a company to sponsor every golf cart reducing the overhead of cart use.
• Golfer Gifts: Brand golfer gifts with the tournament event and sell the opportunity for a sponsor to be represented. This will give the
sponsor the ability to have their brand in front of people well after the event. (Examples include: Golf shirts, golf towels, golf gloves,
drinkware, divot repair tools, and ditty bags)
• Hole-in-One Contest
*Green FORE Green Fundraising Contest
• Closest to the Pin
• Longest Drive
• Drink Cart
• Don’t forget a Primary Tournament Sponsor
*Additional Fundraisers provided by Golf TLC before and during the event
*Cash-bar Golf Cart
Raise additional money by offering a fully stocked cash-bar cart. Outfit a golf cart with drinks, ice, and snacks, then sell them to golfers during the round. Plus a drink cart provides another great sponsor opportunity!
Closest to the Pin
This contest typically takes place on a par-3 hole and the tee shot landing closest to the pin wins! Often tournament planners will have one on-course contest for the front-nine and back-nine.
Silent auction
Gather popular items that will attract interest and active bidding. Golf lessons, a new set of irons, restaurant gift certificates, weekend get-a-ways, spa services, and art are all great options. Promote the auction in event marketing materials. On the day of the event,
showcase auction items enticing attendees with the opportunity to bid and win.
Mulligans
Definition: A mulligan, most simply put, is a “do-over.” Hit a bad shot? Take a mulligan and replay that stroke. Mulligans are most often employed during friendly rounds by golf buddies, or during charity tournaments where mulligans are sometimes sold. If mulligans are for sale, golfers can buy three mulligans for a set price each. The sale of mulligans is sometimes used as an additional fund-raiser at charitable events.
Fundraising Raffle
Host a raffle for prizes and sell raffle tickets during the registration process
FUN
Remember that is what everyone is at your tournament for. Sit back, relax and let Golf TLC help you!