Technology has transformed the way nonprofits and other organizations plan and execute charity golf events, by streamlining processes, increasing participant engagement, and raising more money for important causes. But for many nonprofit organizers, implementing new technology for your golf tournament may require approval from superiors or a board of directors. If you’re in this boat and ready to jump on board with time-saving tech, here’s how to successfully get buy-in from decision-makers.

1. Identify the problems technology will solve

Before getting into the weeds of the features and benefits of the tech platform, start by framing the conversation around the problems it will solve for your tournament and the planning team. Are you spending a ton of time manually processing registrations and payments? Are you bouncing between siloed tools and platforms that create cumbersome processes? Are you spending more time sending payment receipts than promoting your tournament or connecting with sponsors? Is it difficult to communicate with and engage participants?

Example:

“We’re currently manually processing tournament registrations and payments, which takes significant time and leaves room for error. Using a golf-specific event management software would automate this process, giving staff more time to focus on selling teams and sponsorships.”

2. highlight how technology boosts efficiency & revenue

A solution that increases efficiency and revenue from your golf tournament is sure to get the attention of decision-makers! Explain how a tool that’s built just for golf events can help increase the overall impact of your charity golf tournament by:

• Saving time. Automate repetitive tasks like registration, payment processing, donation receipts, registration closing dates, and more.

• Increasing engagement. Tech that includes communication tools and solutions like live leaderboards offer increased engagement with golfers and sponsors, which creates a stronger connection to your nonprofit’s cause.

• Raising more money. The right tech platform brings opportunities to drive revenue, like online donations, a round up feature at checkout, exclusive sponsorships, premium digital exposure, and add-ons.

Example:

“Golf event management software can save our planning team 40 hours or more and help bring in an extra $4,000 or more in additional revenue.”

3. share real-world examples from other nonprofits

Nothing drives home how well a tool works than showing how your peers have benefited from it. Show decision-makers how other nonprofits and events have successfully adopted tech for their golf events and the positive ROI they experienced. Seek out case studies, talk to other golf tournament organizers, or look at online reviews (such as Google or Capterra) to help make your case.

Example:

“The Golf Fore Kids Classic cut their administrative time in half by using golf event management software and sold out their sponsorships thanks to the extra digital exposure provided by the platform.”

4. provide a cost-benefit analysis

Many boards or leadership teams will likely have concerns about the cost of implementing a new technology—both in terms of the cost to use the software as well as staff time spent learning to use it. Prepare a cost-benefit analysis that outlines upfront costs, any additional fees or estimated costs, and the projected benefits to help alleviate financial concerns. Compare all costs to the potential revenue increase and savings on time and effort.

Example:

“The golf event software I’m exploring comes with no upfront cost and minimal processing fees, which we can pass along to golfers and sponsors. There’s no risk to us to try it.”

5. demonstrate how tech enhances the tournament experience

Your organization’s decision-makers will likely be interested in how any technology will impact tournament participants and the overall experience. Demonstrating how it will improve the experience for golfers, donors, sponsors, and volunteers is a key part of getting their approval. For instance, golfers and sponsors expect online registration with secure payment processing and a simple checkout process. Other experience-enhancing features might include live scoring and leaderboards, online donations, and a donation tracker.

Example:

“Golfers and sponsors will have a better experience with online registration, live scoring, online donations, and digital sponsor exposure, which increases the likelihood that they’ll come back year after year.”

6. Get them to see a demo or explore the software

The best way to convince your team? Let them see it in action! Book a quick demo so they can ask questions firsthand or share access to the software so they can explore it on their own terms. Either way, they’ll see the platform’s benefits and capabilities to ease their concerns about making the jump to a new tool.

Example:

“We can schedule a quick 15-minute call with an account rep to go over the highlights of the software and you can ask questions and have your concerns addressed.”

7. overcome red tape & bureaucratic hurdles

In many organizations, even the most beneficial changes can face obstacles due to red tape or bureaucratic processes. While it can be frustrating, you can take steps to navigate these challenges:

• Anticipate blockers. Understanding the processes will help you prepare for approval, particularly if multiple departments are involved. By identifying delays ahead of time, you can proactively account for them. These might include legal compliance checks, approval from finance or accounting, and a sign off from IT.

• Get the buy-in of key stakeholders. Decisions can be delayed when certain leaders aren’t fully on board. Talk with the necessary individuals or departments ahead of time to explain the benefits and address any concerns at the outset.

• Create a clear implementation plan. Provide a step-by-step plan with timelines and how the tech will be integrated with minimal disruption in the day-to-day operations and the overall tournament flow.

• Address concerns head on. Change can be scary, so think through potential objections and offer clear solutions that address concerns about switching to a new tech tool for your golf event.

• Be patient—but persistent. Overcoming red tape is an exercise in patience, but also in following through. Find a balance between keeping the tech proposal top-of-mind while allowing it to work through the system.

Example:

“I’ll work with finance and IT to get their blessing first, then create an implementation plan that includes ample time for staff training ahead of the golf tournament, and follow up regularly with department heads to keep this request moving forward.”

Other things to mention

• Support. They’ll want to know if there is a team of knowledgeable, responsive folks available to help troubleshoot, provide coaching, and assist you and your golfers—and if there’s any cost to access the support team.

• Security. You might discuss the tech provider’s security standard, such as PCI-compliance (for credit card transaction) and data privacy.

• Long-term benefits. Share how easy it is to copy an event each year so there’s no need to start from scratch. This takes advantage of processes and event infrastructure that have already been built, ultimately saving your team time.

Next Steps

Getting approval to implement new technology for your charity golf event comes down to clearly communicating its benefits, addressing concerns, and showing how it can lead to greater success for both the event and your nonprofit as a whole.

A platform like GolfStatus, which is built specifically for golf events, is a great option to streamline your tournament from top to bottom. It starts with an event website with integrated online registration and payment processing, built-in time-saving automations, and opportunities to raise thousands more dollars. Nonprofits and third parties planning charity golf events can qualify to use GolfStatus at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program.

Book a Demo to Get Started With GolfStatus!

When it comes to running a successful golf tournament, choosing a host golf facility is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Having the right expertise can make all the difference—PGA Professionals are experts in every aspect of the game, including event management, facility operations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

This blog series will continue to tap into the collective knowledge of the PGA Professionals at GolfStatus—Cash Dinkel, PGA; Jason Meininger, PGA; and Paul Murcek, PGA—to explore how to choose and work with the host golf course.

The PGA Professionals on staff at GolfStatus, from left: Paul Murcek, PGA; Cash Dinkel, PGA; Jason Meininger, PGA

Q: My organization has decided to move forward with a golf fundraiser. How do I pick a golf facility?

Jason Meininger: There are really three main factors in choosing a golf course: location, cost of the course, and the demographics of your target market.

Cash Dinkel: Most often, the biggest factors are pricing per player and the demographics of your potential sponsors and players. A private, high-end country club is going to charge a much higher price, but hosting at that type of facility lets you charge more for registrations and sponsorships and may attract higher net-worth individuals to participate. It’s important to keep your expenses in mind with this type of facility—your overall fundraising goal needs to be higher to ensure expenses are covered. Location is another important factor. You want to make sure players and sponsors are located close to the facility to drive maximum participation. When looking at courses, I would recommend reaching out to two or three options and ask staff for contacts of previous event organizers to see if they enjoyed hosting their event at that facility.

Paul Murcek: This can be a tough decision. It comes down to a combination of affordability and golf course name recognition. Having your tournament at a course or a club that most people can't typically play at can equal more golfers, but if the cost is too high, it can also price out potential golfers. So it’s definitely about finding the right balance.

Several factors play into choosing a golf course for your golf tournament, including cost per golfer, location of the facility, and the demographics of your tournament's target market.

Q: What questions should I ask golf staff when looking at potential host facilities?

Paul Murcek: What is included in the fee per golfer (greens fee, cart, range balls)? Is there a minimum number of golfers or teams required? Can they provide pro shop credit? How does the facility typically handle scoring the event?

Cash Dinkel: The best advice I can give tournament organizers is that if you don’t know, don’t be afraid to ask. Golf staff are experts in hosting great events and they are willing to answer any questions you may have. Some important things to ask them about include:

• Pricing

• Set up on the day of the event

• What the course provides (things like tables, chairs, meals, scoring, contest setup)

• Schedule for the day,

• If range balls are provided

Jason Meininger: Beyond general pricing, I recommend asking what’s the normal golfer rate at the course at the time of your tournament. If the price is higher, be sure that it includes things like drink tickets or gift cards for prizes. You should also ask about food and beverage options—do you have to purchase from the course or can I bring in my own? Are beverage carts available? Other big topics are the course’s rainout or cancellation policy, required deposit to hold the date, and when final payment is due.

It's a good idea to review the contract's list of charges with golf course staff prior to signing and checking on details like adding an automatic gratuity to food and beverage.

Q: What are some fees or costs I should be aware of or watch out for before signing a contract with the golf facility?

Jason Meininger: Check to see if there’s a fee or penalty for not meeting the minimum number of golfers, if there are costs for extra cart rentals, and if they add an automatic gratuity to food and beverage.

Cash Dinkel: Read the contract closely for price per player, if there’s a minimum number of players required, if there are any fees for using the course’s software or scoring (be sure to mention you’re using GolfStatus to avoid any such fees), or fees for using the facility’s equipment (tables, tvs, chairs, tents, etc.). I recommend going through the list of charges in detail with the golf course to fully understand what you're going to be charged for the day of the event.

Q: What’s typically included in the price to hold a tournament at a golf course?

Cash Dinkel: The main things are green fees and cart fees. Some courses might also include food and beverage or credit to the golf shop to give as player prizes.

Jason Meininger: Most courses I’ve worked at and with include green fees, cart fees, range balls, shop credit, and food and beverage.

Check with the golf facility on what the price per golfer includes, such as greens fees and cart fees.

Q: A lot of tournament organizers are concerned about inclement weather on the day of their event. How do you suggest planning for the weather?

Cash Dinkel: Plan for the worst and hope for the best! Always have a backup plan just in case. If it looks like the weather will affect your event, start communicating with golfers and sponsors earlier rather than later. Check in with the golf course to see what their policy is and start thinking about possible dates to reschedule (this is also something to check on before you sign a contract with the golf course). Communicate with your players and sponsors that inclement weather may be present on the day of the event and more communication will come the morning of the event either way.

Jason Meininger: This is a difficult one, but I usually tell organizers to look for a makeup date and reschedule the event if at all possible. As long as there is no lightning, I would move forward and play the tournament. I’ve worked with several events that were shortened to nine holes (instead of the full 18) holes based or canceled due to the weather.

Paul Murcek: Definitely check with the course to see if they allow a makeup date for the tournament. I worked with the Parkinson Association of Central Florida who had to reschedule their tournament in 2022 when Hurricane Ian hit Florida. They communicated with their field and everything worked out well.

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Ask the Pros!

Do you have a golf tournament question for our PGA Professionals? Email it to events@golfstatus.com with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line and it might make a future blog post or be answered on an upcoming GolfStatus webinar!

GolfStatus’ team is ready to help you make your next golf event the best one yet. Nonprofits can qualify to use GolfStatus’ tournament management software at no upfront cost through our Golf for Good program. You’ll get an event website, online registration, communication tools, exclusive sponsorships and add-ons, and much more—plus access to our knowledgeable client success team. Click the button to get started!

It happens to the best of us—you’re sure all your i’s are dotted and all your t’s are crossed for your golf tournament, but as the day draws closer, unexpected issues and tasks may pop up and must be handled. Here are 10 commonly overlooked tournament details you might not be thinking of (but definitely should be!):

1. Event Website Updates

Your event website is the hub for your tournament. It can be tempting to set it and forget it, but it’s necessary to keep it up to date. As the tournament gets closer, ensure the sponsor and team package quantities remaining are correct, that expiration dates are applicable, and a registration close date is clearly stated and communicated to prospective sponsors and golfers.

2. Weather Plans

Weather is one of the few factors for your golf tournament that you have no control over. That being said, you can be prepared. Think through an inclement weather plan for all scenarios and work with the golf facility to determine a backup tournament date, if applicable. If the forecast calls for hot weather, ensure you have plenty of water on hand for staff, volunteers, and participants. If it will be uncomfortably cold, think about providing hot coffee or cocoa to keep participants warm. Above all, you’ll want to constantly monitor the weather leading up to the tournament and fine-tune your contingency plans and how you’ll communicate those to participants.

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Pro Tip:

GolfStatus’ tournament management platform includes a messaging feature that makes it simple to send emails or push notifications to registered golfers and sponsors with just a few clicks.

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3. Volunteer Management

Volunteers are a crucial part of your event. Make sure you’ve assigned and communicated clear roles and expectations to all volunteers and have a point person to manage volunteers throughout the tournament. Be sure to take care of them, providing food and beverage, chairs, a shade tent, or other items to keep them comfortable and feeling appreciated.

4. Golfer/Team Waitlist

If you have a cap on the number of individual golfers or teams that can play in your event, game plan how you’ll handle a waitlist. Many tournaments offer a waitlist so teams or individuals can fill a spot left by a cancellation or other circumstances. If your teams are getting close to sold out, determine if you’ll offer a wait list, how you’ll handle registration and payment with folks on the waitlist, or whether or not you’re able to accommodate additional teams by doubling up on holes (if allowed by the golf facility and keeping pace of play in mind).

5. Printing & Order Deadlines

Give yourself enough lead time to order any signage, banners, apparel, player gifts, branded merchandise, or other items to arrive in plenty of time for your tournament. Check with your vendors on production/turnaround times to ensure you’ll have everything you need for tournament day.

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Pro Tip:

Check out the GolfStatus Marketplace for trusted third party vendors on everything you need to make your tournament unforgettable, like signage, pin flags, auction software, hole-in-one contest insurance, and much more.

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6. A/V Equipment

Coordinate with the host golf facility to determine what A/V equipment they have available and what you’ll need to bring on your own. Equipment needs might include a microphone and portable speaker for the welcome; televisions to display live leaderboards (either inside or outside the clubhouse); laptop, screen, and projector for the awards ceremony or banquet; and any necessary cords for power or connections.

7. Day-of Supplies

Tournament day can be hectic, so plan ahead and make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need for a smooth event. These include items for registration, on-course games, signage, raffle prizes, auction items, and A/V items.

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The Complete Event Day Guide for charity golf tournaments

This free guide includes a tournament day checklist of everything you need for a smooth-running event, plus tips on live scoring, using your website to communicate with participants, and suggested reports and documents.

Download now!

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8. Food & Beverage

This deadline often sneaks up on tournament organizers. Whether the golf facility is providing all food and beverage or an outside vendor or caterer is supplying them, be sure to touch base with them to set a deadline to provide final numbers, confirm menus, and talk through the details of when and how food will be distributed. If you’re providing food and beverage for golfers and sponsors, it’s a good idea to ask for any dietary restrictions at registration.

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Pro Tip:

Food and beverage are prime opportunities for sponsorships. Consider a Lunch Sponsor, Beverage Cart Sponsor, Bar Sponsor, Drink Ticket Sponsor, Snack Sponsor, or other sponsor that helps cover the hard costs associated with food and drink.

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9. Parking

Most golf facilities have ample parking available, but you might want to verify plans for overflow parking if you’re expecting a sold out field of golfers along with sponsors, volunteers, staff members, and guests. The last thing folks want to deal with as they arrive for a fun day on the golf course is a full parking lot and no other options for their vehicle. Consider assigning a volunteer to direct traffic to maximize parking lot use, having a spot for golfers to drop their golf bags before they park, and ensuring there is accessible parking available.

10. Prizes & Giveaways

Don’t wait until the last minute to determine the prizes you’ll provide to the tournament’s champions, winners of on-course games, and contests, as well as golfer gifts. Give yourself plenty of production time for trophies or plaques, and seek donations for auction items, raffle prizes, pin prizes, golfer gifts, and other giveaways to save money on costs.

Stay Organized With Golf Tournament Tech from GolfStatus

Golf tournaments come with enough details to handle—the last thing you need is a clunky event management platform that requires workarounds to function for a golf event. GolfStatus is built for golf and makes it easy for tournament organizers to stay organized, save a ton of time, and easily collaborate with planning teams and the golf facility.

Nonprofits, charities, and third parties holding a golf fundraiser can qualify to use GolfStatus—with a free event website, online registration, client-only sponsorships, an A+ support team, and much more—at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program. Click below to get qualified and create a tournament in minutes!

No one knows the ins and outs of a golf tournament like a PGA Professional. These individuals bring a high level of expertise to all aspects of golf, including facility operations and management, customer service, finances, event management, and, of course, the game itself.

This Q&A blog series will share the collective wisdom and experience of the PGA Professionals on staff at GolfStatus—Cash Dinkel, PGA; Jason Meininger, PGA; and Paul Murcek, PGA—about topics relevant to charity golf tournaments. This installment will take a closer look at contests and how to work with the PGA Pro on staff at your event’s host golf facility to make them a success.

The PGA Professionals on staff at GolfStatus, from left: Paul Murcek, PGA; Cash Dinkel, PGA; Jason Meininger, PGA

Q: My planning team made the decision to have a hole-in-one contest at our upcoming tournament. What’s next?

Cash Dinkel, PGA: To start, list a Hole-In-One Contest Sponsorship. This covers the cost of the insurance and offers a unique sponsorship. I always recommend allowing the sponsor to set up a tent or table on the contest hole. Sponsors are looking for ways to interact with golfers and there’s no better way to do that than being on the course on the most exciting hole of the day. Once you list the sponsorship, work with your contest/insurance provider to get all the rules and details around the contest.

Q: How can the golf pro help us with the hole-in-one contest?

Jason Meininger, PGA: You’ll want to get in touch with the golf professional so they can help you determine which hole or holes you should use for the hole-in-one contest. This makes sure you have the proper distance requirements for the hole-in-one insurance.

Cash Dinkel, PGA: You should definitely loop the golf professional in so they know exactly what’s going to be happening the day of the event and help you choose the contest hole. You should go over the contest rules with them so they can help ensure the hole is set up within the insurance company’s guidelines (hole yardage, number of players, etc.). In the final days leading up to the event, the pro can help you double-check that the hole-in-one contest is set up correctly and ready to go.

Q: I’m interested in GolfStatus’ Bundle Hole-In-One Package. What are some ways you’ve seen tournaments effectively split up the contest holes?

Paul Murcek, PGA: The most common way I’ve seen it done is to split the contest into two holes, one on the front nine and one on the back nine, with $10,000 cash and a Dormie Network Stay and Play package as prizes.

Jason Meininger, PGA: I’ve worked with a few 27-hole events and facilities. They typically split it up over three holes, one on each of the three nines, with a $7,000 prize on each. That way no matter what nine holes are being played, every golfer has a chance at a hole-in-one contest.

Cash Dinkel, PGA: I see a lot of events that run two contest holes, with a $10,000 cash prize on each hole plus a Dormie Network membership. I’ve even seen it split over four holes, with $5,000 cash for each contest hole. That’s the cool part about that package, it gives the organizer a lot of flexibility.

Q: What does the golf pro usually take care of in terms of other contests, like longest drive or closest to the pin?

Jason Meininger, PGA: When I was the head pro at a golf course, I would primarily take care of making up and setting up the flag prizes and picking them up after the round (if the players didn’t bring them in). I would also provide the event organizer with a document listing the holes and each winner’s name.

Paul Murcek, PGA: Most golf pros will set out proxy markers or hole contest signs for the organizer. Some golf facilities that I’ve worked with build in prizes with pricing, such as prizes for flight winners of a free round at that course or a gift certificate to the pro shop. This removes the burden of finding prizes for the tournament winners from the organizers.

Cash Dinkel, PGA: Some courses will set everything up for you, provided you let them know the details about the contest, and let you know the winners’ names after the event is over. Some facilities might require you to select the holes, but they’ll still take care of putting out the proxy markers and provide you with the winner’s information. Very rarely will the organizer have to handle everything from selecting the hole, setting out proxies, and collecting them post-event.

A: What type of contest do you think has the most revenue potential and why?

Cash Dinkel, PGA: A hole-in-one contest for sure. If it’s sold as a sponsorship, the contest can generate a few thousand dollars of revenue even after the insurance premium has been paid. Most events I work with bring in around $1,500 in revenue from a hole-in-one contest sponsorship.

Jason Meininger, PGA: Other than hole-in-one, I’d say a putting contest. It’s fast, easy to run, and you can have every golfer putt at the same hole at the same time.

Paul Murcek, PGA: I think next to a hole-in-one contest, a closest to the pin contest on a par three or a hit the green on a par three. In my experience, people are generally willing to pay the money to move their ball up a few yards.

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Ask the Pros!

Have a question for our PGA Professionals? Email it to events@golfstatus.com with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line and it might make a future blog post or be answered on an upcoming GolfStatus webinar!

Ready to get started with no-cost golf event management tech? Nonprofits can qualify to use GolfStatus—with an event website, online registration, communication tools, premium digital sponsor exposure, revenue-boosting add-ons, and more, plus access to GolfStatus’ in-house client success team (including knowledgeable PGA Professionals)—all at no upfront cost through our Golf for Good program. Click the button to find out more and get qualified!

It happens all too often—nonprofits looking to add a new revenue stream to their fundraising portfolio write off the possibility of a golf tournament because they have preconceived notions about such events. From misunderstandings about income potential to doubts about their true impact, these myths can deter organizations from jumping into golf fundraising.

Here are seven common myths about charity golf tournaments—and the facts that prove them wrong.

Myth #1: You have to know all about golf to be successful

Fact: You don’t have to be a golfer or understand the intricacies of the game to plan a lucrative golf tournament.

A deep knowledge of the game simply isn’t necessary. In fact, many successful golf tournament organizers aren’t golfers. What do they have to help them be successful? A golf-specific tool that helps them manage the intricacies of a golf event. The key here is using an event management platform that’s designed for golf and makes it easier for tournament organizers of all experience levels to plan, manage, and execute a lucrative golf tournament. You’ll want a software solution that lets you effortlessly collaborate with your planning team and the golf facility and has a knowledgeable, responsive support team to help you along the way.

Myth #2: It’s impossible to make money from a golf tournament

Fact: Golf tournaments have a ton of revenue potential.

Whether you hold an 18-hole golf tournament at an exclusive, high-end private golf club or a putt putt event at a local mini golf course, golf comes with a ton of fundraising potential. While there are certainly expenses associated with a golf event—such as facility rental, greens fees, cart rental, food and beverage, player gifts, and promotional expenses—there are even more opportunities to bring in funds. Sponsorships are where you’ll likely raise the bulk of your tournament’s money, but they can be supplemented by golfer registrations, add-ons like mulligans or contest entries, raffle tickets, auctions, on-course games, or donation appeals.

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Download a free budget template

This sample golf fundraiser budget spreadsheet helps charity golf tournament organizers outline, plan, and manage the event's budget. Simply add your tournament's specific information and get a clear overview of all revenue and expenses associated with the event, track vendor estimates, and instantly see a profit-loss summary.

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Look for an event management platform that comes with multiple avenues to raise additional funds, such as:

• Premium digital sponsorships

• The ability to collect donations on your event website

• The ability to pass processing fees on to registrants

• The ability for registrants to “round up” their order total

• Custom registration packages for mulligans, contest entries, raffle tickets, and more

An attractive, professional event website makes it easy to raise even more money from a charity golf tournament.

Myth #3: I don’t need golfers in my donor base

Fact: Golfers represent a highly desirable demographic of potential donors.

If you’re not holding a golf tournament, or worse yet, not collecting golfers’ donor data, you’re missing out on an affluent, influential demographic of the population. In general, golfers have a significantly higher than average net worth and annual income—giving them a higher capacity to give. Over half of golfers are between the ages of 25 and 55, an age group with a great deal of spending power and an interest in supporting charitable causes through a sport they enjoy.

What’s more, when golfers tap their networks to assemble a team for a charity golf outing, your donor base instantly expands, exposing even more people—and more potential donors—to your work and mission. Your tournament’s sponsors also present an opportunity to forge strong relationships with new or existing corporate partners for support beyond your golf event.

Myth #4: Golf Tournaments Are Outdated & Boring

Fact: Golf is more popular than ever.

The National Golf Foundation reports that 531 million rounds of golf were played in 2023, which surpasses the previous record high set in 2021. In general, rounds played are up 10% from the pre-COVID average between 2015 and 2019. Roughly one-third of the total population of the United States (over the age of five) interacted with the sport in some way in 2023, either by playing golf, following it on TV or online, reading about it, or listening to a golf-related podcast—which is up 30% since 2016.

Why are these numbers important? Because charity golf tournaments tap into golf’s surging popularity, meeting donors where they’re already spending time—on the golf course. When golfers are able to support a cause they care about or one they’ve just learned about because they played in a tournament, they’re more likely to come back year after year to engage with that organization.

Charity golf tournaments meet donors where they’re already spending time—on the golf course.

Successful golf tournaments also focus on the overall experience, providing a professional, memorable day for golfers and sponsors. There are a number of ways to add fun, excitement, and even extra fundraising to charity golf tournaments, such as:

• Contests, like hole-in-one, longest drive, closest to the pin, or putting

• Skins games

• Beat the pro contest

• Mulligans

• On-course games or challenges

• Live or silent auctions

• Demonstrations on tee boxes

• Post-golf entertainment

• Custom player gifts

• Live leaderboards

Myth #5: Sponsors Aren’t Interested in Supporting Golf Tournaments

Fact: Golf tournaments have a unique value proposition.

Golf events offer a unique blend of engagement, networking, and fun that other fundraising events simply can’t match, making them especially attractive to sponsors. Unlike traditional fundraisers, like galas, golf tournaments provide participants with a full day of an activity they enjoy. The nature of golf encourages interaction and relationship-building in an informal, relaxed setting, which can be especially beneficial for sponsors looking to connect with golfers on a more personal level.

Golf tournaments also present numerous opportunities for creative sponsorships and branding that are less intrusive—but more effective and memorable. The addition of the digital exposure and impressions provided by your golf event management platform gives sponsors multiple touchpoints to gain visibility and recognition throughout the event. Having a variety of sponsorship options also accommodates different levels of financial commitment, making it easier to attract sponsors with varying budgets.

Digital exposure adds a ton of value to golf tournament sponsorships.

Myth #6: Golf Tournaments Are Too Much Work

Fact: With the right technology in place, golf tournaments provide tremendous ROI for nonprofits and charities.

Yes, golf events come with a number of moving pieces and unique details to handle. But having the right resources at your disposal saves time, effort, and hassle. Technology specific to golf tournaments simplifies planning, management, and execution, with baked-in solutions that make it a breeze to:

• Promote your tournament

• Collect registrations

• Build and sell custom sponsorship packages

• Onboard sponsors and provide digital exposure

• Manage golfer and sponsor data

• Make hole assignments

• Collaborate with the golf facility’s staff

• Print day-of documents

• Run reports and track payments

Instead of siloed information across multiple platforms and spreadsheets, golf event management tech makes everything accessible with one login. And unlike traditional event management platforms that require endless workarounds to function properly for a golf tournament, you can handle golf-specific tasks like GHIN handicaps, team pairings, hole assignments, and live scoring with just a few clicks. The end result? A ton of time savings and more money raised for your mission.

GolfStatus’ in-house client success team is available with live support seven days a week.

Myth #7: There’s No One to Help Me

Fact: Tools, resources, and support are available to help you hold a successful charity golf tournament.

You aren’t alone! Help is available, from software solutions and tournament planning resources to troubleshooting and live support seven days a week. Nonprofits, charities, and third parties holding golf events to benefit a cause can qualify to use GolfStatus’ golf event management platform at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good giveback program. You’ll get a free golf tournament website, online registration and payment processing, live scoring and leaderboards, exclusive sponsorships and add-ons, and a dedicated client success rep there to help you every step of the way. Click the button below to learn more and get qualified for Golf for Good!

Golf balls have certainly come a long way since their 14th century beginnings as lopsided pieces of wood. The 17th century saw particularly incredible innovation, when the sport’s enthusiasts stuffed pouches with dense wads of wet leather to create a hard core, then added feathers that dried into a denser outer layer. Today’s golf balls are virtually unrecognizable in comparison and, let’s face it, infinitely better.

Golf balls must address the golfer’s every need, providing distance on drives, spin and trajectory on the approach, and control on the green. Balls try to solve for a lot of factors and objectives to optimize its performance on any shot the golfer can imagine, making its construction a key factor. Here are seven things you probably don’t know about golf balls.

1. A golf ball can’t weigh more than 1.62 ounces (or 45.93 grams).

Modern golf balls are made from a range of materials and methods, but to be recognized in tournament play, they can’t weigh more than a mere 1.62 ounces or 45.93 grams. Taken together, the elements of a ball’s design and construction have a profound impact on its overall performance on the course. The golf ball is perhaps the most important piece of equipment in the golfer’s bag—it’s the only piece of equipment that golfers use on every single shot.

2. Golf balls are made of layers.

At its most basic level, a golf ball includes an inner core made from pressurized rubber or synthetic rubber, surrounded by one or several outer layers, and a characteristically dimpled cover. Each of its collective elements contribute to its performance on a shot, and even subtle changes to one or more elements can make a drastic impact. Their construction increases the ball’s spin that lends itself to greater control, especially in the short game.

3. The core is crucial.

The core is often considered the ball’s engine, influencing not only its speed and distance, but its spin in the long and short game. The force used to strike the ball is transferred directly into the injection-molded rubber that is a ball’s core, where it is stored and released to propel the ball forward. For this reason, the core is often considered the ball’s engine, influencing not only its speed and distance, but its spin in the long and short game. In multi-layer construction, where another layer is positioned between the ball’s core and its cover, the inside layer is made of rubber thread compressed to varying densities.

4. A golf ball’s compression is a factor in speed and spin.

The ball’s compression is a reflection of how hard or soft the ball compresses against the club face when hit. While the influence of compression is a hotly debated topic among golf experts and equipment manufacturers, the general consensus is that a harder ball (with a higher numerical compression) compresses less on the hit, while a softer ball compresses more. Golfers with a faster swing speed are typically more apt to prefer a harder ball, but it’s more of a matter of personal preference for feel. Compression has an impact on general performance. For example, as a broad rule, if you have two golf balls that are identical with the exception compression, the higher compression ball will have more speed and more spin across the entire range of shots while the lower compression ball will have lower speed and lower spin. That being said, this relationship is not universally true. Some higher compression golf balls have lower speed and spin because of other components of their design.

5. The cover impacts the feel and the ball’s spin off of the club head.

The exterior surface of the golf ball is referred to as its cover and is constructed either of Surlyn (a thin, plastic resin created and trademarked by DuPont) or urethane (a slightly softer, slightly less durable synthetic compound). All else being equal, Surlyn can contribute to distance, but tends to inhibit spin. Urethane covers, while typically more expensive, have a tendency to deliver higher spin rates off irons and wedges, providing more control in the short game. For golf ball manufacturers, the cover is another crucial opportunity for innovation that impacts its overall performance.

6. The ball’s dimples have a purpose.

The dimples on the surface of the golf ball play a surprisingly complex role in its flight, speed, lift, and spin. Compared to a smooth ball, the small indentations make golf balls more aerodynamic, manipulating the airflow around the ball to create a tighter vortex that effectively decreases the ball’s drag and increases its distance, speed, and lift. Like the other design and construction components, these dimples can be manipulated by manufacturers that increase and decrease their size, quantity, and pattern to impact the speed, flight, spin, and overall performance of the ball. They’re also an important consideration when it comes to weather and other playing conditions to provide consistency in how a golf ball performs in all types of conditions.

7. Manufacturers are always innovating.

Given the leaps and bounds of innovation across golf ball construction, materials, and performance over the last several decades, the industry’s focus on research and development should come as no surprise. Most manufacturers look toward TOUR players for feedback on prototyped and developing products, but investments in innovation run far deeper, including divisions and teams of engineers, technicians, chemists, aerodynamicists, and other scientists. R&D teams spend time working with golfers to understand their performance needs. With every innovation, consistency remains central, given the slightest deviation in quality can have a dramatic impact on a golfer’s game. It’s especially important for amateur golfers, who have a tendency to assume a flaw in their swing when they hit the ball the way they wanted to hit it, but it doesn’t perform as expected.

Final Thoughts

In all, the right ball is unique to each individual golfer’s goals and preferences. Still, the surprisingly complex science behind the sport’s central component plays into every piece of a golfer’s game—from the way it feels off the tee to the moment it hits the cup. The golf ball is an important equipment decision that makes a huge difference for golfers at all skill levels—perhaps the most important of all.

GolfStatus and its giving partners at Dormie Network and Dormie Network Foundation are excited to announce that two winners have been selected for the second annual Play It Forward giveaway: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley and Sisters Across America.

The goal of the campaign was simple: to recognize those who are using golf to do good in their communities and beyond. Golfers were asked to nominate their favorite golf tournament fundraiser for a $10,000 donation and were entered to win their own one-year membership to the Dormie Network (a network of private destination golf clubs) plus $10,000 to spend onsite.

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Make-A-Wish’s Philadephia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley chapter’s annual golf tournament was held August 15, 2022. The Pro-Am for Wishes raises money to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since the chapter’s founding in 1986, more than 7,500 wishes have been granted for children in the local community, helping them build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness.

Sisters Across America provides support and mentoring for young minority women pursuing professional golfing careers, raising money through two annual golf fundraisers. Current mentee Lakareber Abe, a 26-year-old alum of the University of Alabama, recently qualified to play in her first LPGA event. Sisters Across America’s support helps remove the mentees’ concerns for financial viability and allows them to focus on improving their game. The group also teaches juniors, to further expand access to the game.

Participant at Sisters Across America’s annual Invitational golf tournament fundraiser.

Cassandra Doty, co-founder and President of Sisters Across America, says that the idea for the organization came from a round of golf with a group of friends, who had all taken up the game later in life. “We wanted to support the next era of young players, and because tomorrow is a promise to no one, we decided to start right then,” she said.

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You Can Golf for Good!

GolfStatus helps streamline and simplify golf tournaments to help organizations save time and raise more money, like the 2021 winner of the Play It Forward campaign, the Cameron Steinberg Foundation. The tournament saw an increase of more than 66% in dollars raised when compared to the tournament’s first year, along with half of the administrative work in using GolfStatus. Through the Golf for Good program, 501(c) organizations and those holding golf events to benefit a charity can qualify for no-cost access to GolfStatus—including an event website, online registration, live scoring, and much more. Click the button below to get qualified or email events@golfstatus.org.

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GolfStatus caught up with Rita Tateel, President at The Celebrity Source, a full-service celebrity sourcing agency and new GolfStatus partner, to talk about the value that having a celebrity at a golf fundraiser brings to the event and cause.

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Q: First off, what exactly do you mean when you say “celebrity”?

A: Really, who is deemed a “celebrity” is defined by the audience. It’s not necessarily an actor or sports figure; it’s anyone in the public eye within their field or discipline. So it’s a very broad definition—anyone from a famous scientist, writer, or astronaut to a reality television star, football player, YouTube star, performer, or movie actor.

Q: What does having a celebrity at a golf fundraiser bring to the event?

A: Everyone, whether they admit it or not, gets excited about meeting someone famous. There’s an excitement that a celebrity brings to an event that simply can’t be duplicated. Celebrities raise visibility, not only for the event itself, but for the cause it’s connected to. There’s also the credibility factor—people see that if a celebrity is participating, they assume the tournament must be worthwhile. You’re likely to see more press interested in covering the tournament (and you should definitely alert the media about the event) because a celebrity is attending, which means even more exposure for sponsors, the benefiting organization, and/or cause. What’s more, a celebrity presence opens the door to new, lucrative sponsorships as well as attracting more teams with the option of charging a higher registration package price.

Q: What should an event organizer consider when determining whether or not to pursue having a celebrity participate in their golf fundraiser?

A: There are a number of questions organizers should ask themselves before going down this road. First and foremost, what do I hope to accomplish by having the celebrity there—media coverage? Credibility? Increased awareness? Higher income potential? Next, can I cover the standard expenses (or do I have a sponsor I know will cover the costs)? Third, what do I want a celebrity to do at my golf event and what are the highest priorities? Determining the “why” will help organizers decide if it’s something worthwhile to pursue.

Budget is perhaps the main consideration. If an event is hoping to secure a celebrity, expenses need to be covered, even if the celebrity isn’t being paid to attend. At a minimum, they’ll need to cover two first-class airfares, ground transportation to and from the airport to the event, first-class hotel accommodations, and a per diem to cover meals. Oftentimes these costs can be covered by a sponsor.

Q: How can organizers make the most out of having a celebrity attend their golf fundraiser?

A: Really think broadly about all of the ways a celebrity might be involved. It could be anything from a meet and greet on a specific hole of the golf course, emceeing or performing at the after party, or golfing with a specific sponsor’s foursome. It’s also key to have someone in charge of PR to get the most exposure possible for the celebrity’s participation and, in turn, for the nonprofit or charity. Organizers can solicit a volunteer or volunteers, pay a PR firm (or request pro bono services as part of a sponsorship or donation), or even reach out to PR students at a nearby college or university. And when marketing the event, include the celebrity’s participation everywhere possible—on the event website, promotional emails, social media posts, flyers, postcards, and the organization’s website.

Q: How do you help nonprofits find the right celebrity for a fundraising event like a golf tournament?

A: The Celebrity Source looks at a variety of factors that will get a celebrity to say “yes” to an event. For example, a personal association with a particular cause or the location of the event (e.g. near their hometown or favorite city), what perks/gifts are being offered for the celebrity’s participation, how passionate the celebrity is about golf, and any obvious connections to the event. Being a golfer is often a key factor, but keep in mind that there are different roles the celeb can play at the event, so they don’t have to play golf to still be a good match. The audience’s demographic also needs to be taken into account—both who it is trying to attract to play in the event as well as sponsor it. Our process takes all these factors into account to find the best match.

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Technology For Your Golf Fundraiser

GolfStatus’s industry-leading golf event management and fundraising technology streamlines planning to save time and raise more money. Through GolfStatus.org and the company’s Golf for Good giveback initiative, qualifying 501(c) organizations and those holding events that benefit them can qualify for no cost access to the platform. Get started here or email events@golfstatus.org.

The Celebrity Source

The Celebrity Source has been in business over 30 years and has access to thousands of celebs from film, TV, music, sports, fashion, digital stars and influencers. Among the company’s specialties is cause-related celebrity outreach and coordination whereby the celebrities may not be paid—The Celebrity Source knows what it takes to get a celebrity to say yes apart from money. The Celebrity Source has helped hundreds of corporate and non-profit clients find authentic celebrity matches for events (live and virtual), PR/marketing/advertising campaigns, corporate meetings and cause-marketing strategies. Learn more about Celebrity Source by visiting thecelebritysource.com, emailing info@thecelebritysource.com, or calling 917-626-8368.

The past nearly two years have tested nonprofits’ ability to rapidly pivot everything from programs and priorities to events and fundraising. The sector is still recovering in many ways as organizations look ahead to 2022 fundraising events. As the world slowly returns to varying levels of normalcy, organizations are beginning to reignite strategic fundraising events and longer-term donor stewardship—both of which golf can help accomplish. Here are nine predictions for golf fundraisers in 2022.

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1. Golf’s popularity will level off but remain steady.

Golf grew exponentially during 2020 and into 2021, but the National Golf Foundation reports that the sport’s growth has cooled slightly in the second and third quarters of 2021. That being said, golf is still more popular now than it was pre-pandemic, and after a winter of being indoors, folks will be eager to golf and play in tournaments that support worthwhile causes. Keep in mind that golf fundraisers traditionally use the scramble format, which means golfers don’t need to be highly skilled to participate in a charity tournament, which gives your event an even larger pool of participants. 

2. Expect to see second- and third-year events gain momentum.

Nonprofits of all types and sizes saw the value of the golf fundraiser during 2020 and 2021, as golf events provided a safe, in-person fundraising option amid hit-or-miss online and virtual events. Many first-time golf events were launched out of necessity during this time, which in turn have become annual events. This means more golf tournaments on the calendar, so planning ahead is crucial. Get save-the-dates out as early as possible so your event is on players’ radars sooner rather than later and your tournament is included in sponsors’ budgets. It’s also a good idea to get an event website for your golf outing launched so you can list available team and sponsor packages so supporters can commit to your event as soon as they hear about it.

3. Tournaments will be business as usual.

Golf tournaments were able to be held during the height of the pandemic, thanks to technology and creative modifications and adaptations that either eliminated or significantly reduced touchpoints and large groups of people gathering in one place at one time. In 2021, many tournaments were able to safely resume some or most of their usual activities—tee time starts, on-course games and contests, pre- and post-golf gatherings, and awards ceremonies. This is likely to continue across the board in 2022, with golf tournaments returning to pre-pandemic protocols. That being said, the technology that helped nonprofits proceed with golf fundraisers proved to be helpful beyond COVID-19, providing time and resource savings, additional sponsor exposure and options, and an elevated tournament experience.

4. Golf events will continue to provide Fundraising options and flexibility.

Though normalcy is inching closer, if COVID-19 taught us anything it’s that staying nimble is key. Local situations and circumstances can change rapidly, which means organizations may need to once again adapt events on the fly. Golf fundraisers are unique in that any modifications made, whether it’s switching to tee time starts instead of a shotgun start, eliminating banquets or cocktail hours, or even going virtual, don’t affect the heart of the event—the golf and the fundraising it drives. It will continue to be important for organizers to have the right technology in place to make the adaptations, as well as communicating them to golfers and sponsors, easy and seamless. 

5. More organizations will rally third parties to hold events that benefit them.

Corporate partners, businesses, passionate supporters, volunteers, avid golfers or other third parties often plan golf events that benefit a nonprofit or cause. Organizations benefit from the passive fundraising and, if done correctly, collect the information of the golfers and sponsors participating in these golf tournaments for further donor stewardship. It’s important for organizations to make it as easy as possible for third parties to hold these events, so using a common technology platform that simplifies planning and seamlessly and uniformly collects donor data is crucial.

6. Live scoring will become the norm.

Scoring via mobile app eliminated the touchpoint of paper scorecards at golf fundraisers, but came with a plethora of other benefits that make organizations unlikely to want to go back. Mobile scoring is linked to live leaderboards, which allow tournament participants to score their round in real-time, letting golfers, spectators, and other supporters see current standings at any time. Live leaderboards make the event more competitive and allow for virtual rounds and even completely virtual events that are connected by a common leaderboard. What’s more, they open the door for additional sponsor exposure which can be sold at a premium and a place to collect online donations from event participants as well as those following along.

7. Sponsors will be eager to support golf fundraisers.

The adoption of technology to plan and manage golf fundraisers has led to additional sponsorship offerings and, in turn, more dollars raised for organizations. Digital exposure is mutually beneficial for the organizer and the sponsor. For organizers, they’re easy to manage (you simply upload a logo to an event website, mobile app, or event leaderboards), can be sold at a premium, and often have little to no overhead costs compared to signage or branded merchandise. For the sponsor, this digital exposure provides high visibility among your tournament’s golfers, getting their brand in front of an affluent audience of potential clients and customers. Indeed, over the last nearly two years, sponsoring businesses have also shown a propensity to support the technology that helps nonprofits run more effectively and efficiently, making digital sponsorships a key opportunity for organizations evolving to leverage technology.

8. Responsibly collecting event & donor data will continue to be crucial. 

Data has been a buzz word in the nonprofit sector for years, but some events and programming still seem to escape data capture and tracking mechanisms. The golf tournament has historically been one of those events, but there’s no reason it should be. Statistically, the golfer demographic is affluent and influential, so golfers tap into their personal and professional networks to field a team, particularly with a scramble format that can involve all golf skill levels. Even more importantly, golf events can open the door to corporate sponsors and long-term partners. But unless you know who’s playing in and supporting your golf tournament at what level and during what year or years, this information can’t be leveraged by your organization. The easy fix here is to make the switch to an event website with online registration and built-in payment processing, which makes it easy to capture this critical information and seamlessly export it for inclusion in your organization’s donor CRM. For third party events, this becomes even more important and is a huge missed opportunity if this information isn’t being collected.

9. Time & resource savings will be vitally important. 

Much of the nonprofit sector is still recovering from reduced revenue, fewer fundraising opportunities, budget cuts, and a labor shortage caused by the pandemic. Remaining staff have more on their plates than ever and are looking for ways to save time and reduce costs on things like fundraising events. Event organizers need to be able to seamlessly collaborate with volunteers and planning committees using tools that provide efficiency and are easy to use. What’s more, with budgets stretched thin, organizations have to get creative to adopt technology to save time without adding more line-item expenses. 

Holding a Golf Event in 2022?

GolfStatus’s all-in-one golf event management and fundraising platform streamlines the details of a golf fundraiser, letting organizers focus less on the minutiae of the tournament and more on connecting with donors and sponsors. Through the company’s Golf for Good initiative, nonprofits and those holding events that benefit them can qualify for no-cost access to the platform to save time and raise more money. Get started here or email events@golfstatus.org.