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Of course you need players, but there have been charity golf outings with 60 golfers that have raised considerably more money than those with full fields of 144…or more. It’s actually a fairly common occurrence. The majority of the revenue successful golf tournaments generate comes from their sponsors.  So while members  of your committee should each have their own assignments, everyone should be trying to connect with potential sponsors. It’s all hands on deck when it comes to this critical element of your event; you need to direct EVERYONE to think WAY outside the box. There are so many possibilities you can create for potential sponsors; EVERY element of the tournament should be “in play”: Hole signs, pin flags, contests, food (lunch AND dinner), driving range, golf carts, drink cart. The list is not quite endless, but it’s certainly considerable. So make sure considering it is the committee’s TOP priority! And if you need some help sorting through all the possibilities–and creating new ones–we stand ready to help! info@tournamentpros.com, 800-790-4653

The short answer is no. The longer answer is…longer. Quick review: A scramble (often referred to as “Captain’s Choice”) is a “best ball” type format where everyone plays their own ball of the tee and from then on, the best shot of the group is chosen and the group all play the next shot from that spot. The good news for most people in this format is they don’t have to play their own ball that went into the woods. Or the water. Or the…you get the idea. If one person in the foursome hit a shot into the fairway or onto the green, everyone gets to drop and play THEIR ball from THAT spot. The scramble format is used in over 90% of charity tournaments because it a) speeds up play (no looking for those balls in the woods), b) takes the pressure off the less-skilled players, and c) usually gives everyone a chance to contribute somewhere during the round. A scramble almost always produces low scores; teams coming in at 8, 9, 10 (or more!) under par. BUT…there are drawbacks, such as teams coming in at 8, 9, 10 (or more!) under par :). And golfers sometimes WANT to play their own ball for the WHOLE round (especially on private courses they can’t otherwise play). A popular variation of the traditional scramble format is choosing the best drive (which is hopefully somewhere in the fairway) and then having everyone play their own ball the rest of the way on that hole (taking the best score of the four). If you’re tired of the scramble format altogether, contact us and we’ll be happy to explain some other options like standard stroke play, two-player best ball, four-ball, alternate shot and even a Pro-Am! 1-800-790-4653, info@tournamentpros.com

First sales tip…it’s NOT “sales”! That word tends to freak people out…especially if they’re not in sales! So let’s go with “marketing”. Your committee members need to know HOW to market the golf outing to potential golfers and sponsors. Don’t be afraid to ask around for some ‘professional’ help; having a seasoned sales person come in and speak to the committee about basic do’s and don’ts can make a world of difference. There ARE some tricks to the trade:

1. What are your goals when calling on businesses to be potential sponsors (and what alternate goals do you have if the original one(s) aren’t met)?
2. Ask “open-ended” questions that engage the prospect in conversation; if you just ask ‘do you want to be a sponsor at our charity golf tournament’ and they say ‘no thanks’…there’s nowhere to go from there! (Try…”so what sort of events have you guys sponsored in the past?”)
3. Let people know what you’re going to do next after the call…and then do it!
4. The fortune’s in the follow-up 🙂

Don’t assume your committee members are sales people. And don’t assume even if they are, that they are comfortable asking people for money. Give them some tools to make their job easier!

First, there is no right or wrong answer here. With that out of the way, here are some things to consider:

1. Private courses cost more
2. Private courses are only available on Mondays
3. Your golfers might be enjoy going to a private course they couldn’t otherwise play.

In a nutshell, those are the three most important variables you need to consider. You should call a few of each…and get some pricing.
Once you have some data to compare one with the other, perhaps a visit to each is in order. Maybe even one year you try a public course, the next year go to  private venue. The results…in terms of golfers that come and your net profit after each will speak for itself.

If you have any questions…we’re happy to share our experiences from the last 26 years helping organizations just like yours raise more money.
info@tournamentpros.com, 800-790-4653

One of the first–and possibly most important–questions your committee will have to deal with straight out of the gate is…how much should the entry fee be to play in your charity golf outing? Here are some basic guidelines:
1. Don’t try to make all your profit on the “green fees”.
2. Don’t charge your golfers too much more than the golf course is charging you.
3. Look to make your money from other revenue sources other than the entry fee.
Sensing a theme here? We hope so!
Your golfers know (or can easily find out) what the regular cost is to play the course you are having the event at.
Yes, it’s easier to increase that cost significantly more when playing at a private course golfers can’t otherwise play,
but you still never want to gouge your group on the green fees. It just looks bad. Once players have signed up,
then all bets are off:  Players now EXPECT you to do all that you can to get into their wallets…
after all, it is a CHARITY golf tournament! But no one likes to be “played” for a sucker when you double or triple the normal cost to play the course. Not cool. So don’t do it. That’s what the raffle is for. And the contest package. And the mulligans. And the auction. And the game holes. Give us a call or send us an email and we’ll share some of our wisdom gained over the last 26 years regarding all these different sources of revenue to be “mined” the day of the outing, none of which your golfers will mind…as long as the cost to play is not one of them!  800-790-4653, info@tournamentpros.com