Shoot for a Cure Golf Tournament
by Mark Ebert, Phi Delta Theta of Saint Louis University
In order to successfully hold a charity golf tournament, it is important to understand and address the major steps in the process. The major areas of importance can be summed up in Sponsorships, Media Awareness, Donations, Participants, Silent Auction (optional), and Food/Beverage.
Sponsorships
Be personable- one-on-one meetings with your contact at a company is the most effective way to get them to participate.
Benefits! Offer companies a free foursome to play in thanks of a sponsorship.
Signage! When all sponsorships are in, acknowledging each company at the tournament is key. Offer hole sponsorships as well and make signs for each one.
Be versatile! An offer should never be non-negotiable. If companies don’t have the money to contribute your goal price, see what they might be interested in doing instead. Every bit counts!
Media Awareness
It is crucial for your event to be publicized in order to have a strong turnout.
Send out mass emails through your organizations mailing lists.
Contact local radio stations and work a deal out so that you can get some free airtime for them to air your event information. Offer them benefits if they agree to help you out!
Get your event information in the “What’s going on” sections of local newspapers
Post fliers in high traffic areas and in other golf course club houses. All golfers love to play in tournaments!
Donations
Seeking donations can often be the hardest part of the tournament process, but with the right attitude it can be possible!
Many smaller companies may not be interested in the sponsorship area, but may have something to offer instead that would still get their name out.
Hold a silent auction in the clubhouse at the course and have all the members of your organization brainstorm ideas as to what they can contribute to the auction.
Put together a player “goodie bag” with things for each participant to take home with them. These items are almost all donated and advertise the donor’s company name: golf balls, golf towels, gift certificates, snacks, pens and pencils, etc are great items to have!
Food/ Beverage
Getting food and beverage costs eliminated is HUGE! Contact local beer and soda distributors to work out donated drinks for the event.
Contact sandwich shops such as Subway etc. to see if they are interested in donating lunch for the players.
Often times, courses offer dinner packages that can be discounted for charity events. The cost for each plate should be added into the price to play. Therefore, the golfers cover their own dinner costs if the dinner is not donated as well
Restaurants might be interested in marketing their name at your event, so don’t toss out the idea of free dinners.
Optional money makers
Closest to the pin and longest drive contests are a must! Don’t forget prizes for all contest winners. Putters, chippers, woods, and gift certificates are a great prize!
Raffles- Getting a big donation that is worthy of a raffle could be a HUGE success. For example: In St. Louis, a motorcycle dealership donated a new motorcycle at no cost to them and no cost to JOALSF! They sold raffle tickets in a number of areas and made $4,000!
SELL MULLIGANS- players always like to purchase extra “strokes” at check in
Chipping contests- Hold a chipping contest for golfers midway through their round of golf. If the putting/chipping green is near a golf hole, catch each group of players as they pass by. Charge a few bucks for 3 chances to be the chipping champion!
Things to Remember
1. Plan your tournament several months in advance!
-Note: For an April tournament, planning should begin in the preceding fall and shoot to cover all costs before Christmas!
2. Make all contributors/ participants feel that their efforts are APPRECIATED.
3. It always helps to delegate different jobs/ responsibilities to different people.
4. Have an idea of the “tournament style” that you would like to run
a. For example: traditional 4 man teams or scrambles
5. To look more professional, make polo shirts embroidered with your tournament logo for each volunteer.
6. Shirts, sponsor signs, auction items, food and drinks should all be ordered early enough to cover for late deliveries.
7. Know what the golf course will provide for you, and prepare to bring everything else.
8. Be cautious of how many players you have, the most 4 man teams that should fit on the course at once is 36. If you have more teams, plan for a morning and an afternoon start.
9. Don’t let the players get hungry! Complimentary breakfasts, lunches, and of course dinner is a must.
a. it also helps to have snacks for players after the 9th hole turn.
10. Designate one committee to deal with the financial aspect. Collecting money, credit cards etc can get confusing
11. Document everything and send thank you letters to everyone who participated in your event.
a. At the check in desk, know who’s mailing address or phone numbers you do not yet have and record them when they sign in
Build Your Own Campaign