As golf continues to grow in popularity, it’s becoming an essential fundraising tool for nonprofits of all sizes. Technology has made planning and managing golf events more approachable and efficient, even for those who might not be familiar with the sport. As 2024 draws to a close, we’re looking ahead at the trends and predictions for golf fundraising in 2025. Here are eight trends to watch for your 2025 golf event.

1. Partnering with sponsors will be standard

Sponsors increasingly want to be more than just logos on banners; they want meaningful engagement with your golf tournament’s participants. When pitching sponsorships to businesses, work with them to identify their goals for supporting the event and find opportunities for them to achieve the highest return on investment (ROI). That might look like branded booths and activities on tee boxes, special speaking appearances, sharing the tournament’s registration lists, or other opportunities for organic engagement. It will be important for tournament organizers to effectively collaborate with sponsors to ensure both parties meet their goals.

2. professionalism will be essential

Event attendees will expect a polished, professional experience in 2025. From your tournament website to signage, every touchpoint will matter more than ever before. High-quality, consistent event branding from the moment golfers hear about your event and register on your event site to when they receive their post-tournament thank you signal to them that the event is well-run. This professionalism can go a long way in attracting new supporters, retaining donors, impressing sponsors, and encouraging all participants to return in future years.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the female golfer population today is not only growing, it’s more diverse than ever.

3. expect more women to play in your golf event

Females now represent 26% of the golf market—a jump from 19% just a few years ago. This increase in female participation means it’s time to consider how your tournament might better appeal to women. A women’s-only flight or other women-focused offerings can help your tournament stand out, attract more lady golfers, and foster inclusivity in your event’s culture.

4. non-traditional golf events will become more popular

Another significant trend for 2025 is the increased popularity of non-traditional golf events, like mini golf tournaments, TopGolf, or indoor golf experiences. These events are especially appealing for organizations looking to add a second golf event that attracts new audiences, who want to experiment with golf fundraising on a smaller scale, or want a fundraising event with a shorter time frame than a traditional 18-hole tournament. Non-traditional events can also be more budget-friendly, making them an excellent option for organizations looking to diversify their fundraising. What’s more, indoor golf events let nonprofits connect with supporters during the cooler winter months when golf isn’t feasible.

A TopGolf golf fundraiser is an event option that can help nonprofits reach and involve new audiences.

5. golfers will want more than a round of golf

In 2025, expect golfers to crave unique, memorable experiences beyond a round of golf. Including tournament components like flights, cash prizes, on-course games or contests, raffles, or auctions make tournaments more exciting and memorable for participants. Elevated player gifts and prizes, on-course demonstrations, and live-scoring add to the overall experience that set your event apart and create lasting memories for participants.

6. hole-in-one insurance will be a must-have

A hole-in-one contest adds excitement and helps draw players to your event, but having the right insurance in place is essential so your nonprofit isn’t exposed to financial risk. Yes, the odds of a golfer getting a hole-in-one at your tournament remain low (about 12,000 to 1), but holes-in-one do happen and it’s not worth the risk to your organization. Hole-in-one insurance covers the cost of a big prize, like thousands of dollars in cash or high-end golf experience, in the rare instance that a golfer gets an ace. Offering fantastic prizes with the reassurance of insurance protection can help you confidently advertise this fun tournament add-on.

the ultimate guide to hole-in-one contests

Get the ins and outs of a successful hole in one tournament in this free guide! Download now to get comprehensive insights and actionable advice for nonprofits looking to incorporate a hole-in-one contest into their charity golf tournament.

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7. sponsors will want to show off their support

Sponsors in 2025 will look for opportunities to showcase their involvement with your cause, not just at the golf tournament, but also online and across their networks. Think through how you’ll work with sponsors to facilitate this—consider co-branding social media posts or creating shareable content for sponsors to post on their channels. These partnerships can increase visibility for both the sponsor and your event while aligning with each other’s goals to give back to the community.

8. team planning will drive success

Gone are the days of a one-person show organizing a golf fundraiser. The most successful events will be those organized by a team with a clear division of responsibilities. By involving multiple planning team members, you’ll ensure that all details are well-managed, from sponsorship outreach to volunteer coordination. Team planning can lead to a smoother experience for everyone involved and help create a stronger, more collaborative event environment. Plus, no one gets burnt out handling every task.

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final thoughts

By keeping these 2025 golf fundraising trends in mind, next year’s golf event will better resonate with participants, deliver value to sponsors, and boost your nonprofit’s fundraising potential. Using golf event management technology can make it even easier to achieve these goals, saving you time on administrative tasks, simplifying registration and payments, and providing tools to engage sponsors and participants. With streamlined technology and a focus on unique experiences, your nonprofit can host a golf fundraiser that raises more money and leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Make Your 2025 Golf Event the Best One Yet!

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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!

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!

When Dino Verelli’s father, Giovanni, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, he found very little in terms of support or resources for pancreatic cancer families. Dino decided to take action to rewrite the story of this formidable disease. He launched Project Purple in 2010, fueled by a commitment to his father and the countless other patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer. Sadly, Giovanni passed away in 2011, but his memory is honored through Project Purple’s work to raise awareness, drive crucial research into early detection, and provide aid to patients and families battling pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has just a 13% five-year survival rate. Its symptoms often don’t present until the disease has advanced and spread to other organs, making early detection—when the chances of successful treatment are the greatest—even more of a challenge. Vin Kampf, Program Director at Project Purple, lost an uncle to pancreatic cancer within just six months of diagnosis, inspiring him to join the Project Purple team.

“One of the most important things we do is build community,” Vin says. “It trickles down into our other areas of focus. Fostering a community of support helps patients connect with others who are in the same fight has been life-changing.”

Vin oversees the marathon program at Project Purple, which raises funds through individual runners in marathons and races across the world. The program has helped build the community that’s become so important to the organization, joining together with the pancreatic cancer patients, their families, and the institutions conducting crucial research into a cure.

Vin also loves golf. He’s played in a number of golf fundraisers and helps with a tournament organized by an aunt in memory of a cousin. He saw the fundraising potential and reach of such an event, and wanted to bring that to Project Purple. “Who doesn’t love being outside, being together with others working toward a common purpose, and connecting with them on new levels?” he says. He started to think about how a golf tournament might work for Project Purple—and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“All marathons were canceled, but we were able to move forward with a golf fundraiser,” Vin says. “It was the one fundraising event we could do safely.” They threw the first tournament together in just a few months for a fall event, then had a quick turnaround when they opted to move the tournament to June.

He used the organization’s CRM and multiple spreadsheets for the first two tournaments and ran into roadblocks. “It felt clunky and inefficient, and the registration site didn’t look good or work very well,” he says, and began looking for a better way to plan and manage the tournament that was structured to handle golf.

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“We really wanted the golf tournament to become a marquee event for us, and we needed a solution that reflected that.”

— Vin Kampf, Program Director at Project Purple

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Read the full case study to find out why Vin says GolfStatus was what was missing from the golf tournament that raised over $130,000 for pancreatic cancer.

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!

The Collin County Chapter of the Texas Tech Alumni Association had been defunct for several years when a group of local alums decided to resurrect it. As the chapter began to get back on its feet, the primary goal was to engage alumni and raise funds for a scholarship program. Though Sam Clark wasn’t a member of the initial board, he quickly volunteered to head up a golf tournament that would help the group reach their goals of alumni engagement and fundraising.

The goal of the golf tournament was not only to raise money for a scholarship program, but to build strong connections among the chapter’s alumni.

“It was basically a done-deal that we were going to have a golf tournament,” Sam says. “Everyone on the board plays golf or is a member at a country club and everyone knew it was a great way to raise money.”

Right off the bat, Sam had questions. Though he had played in charity golf tournaments, he’d never planned one from ideation to fruition. “I wondered how we should handle registrations, payments, leaderboards, pin flags, and so many other details,” he says. Another member of the chapter’s board, Russell Hall, had run several tournaments through GolfStatus, and told Sam it was just what he needed.

The newly-established annual Red Raider Cup provided fun and networking for Collin County Texas Tech alums.

Sam says much of the initial planning phase was determining the type of golf facility (public or private), price points (high end or mid-level), and a budget. After those were in place, the committee began to think about operations and processes, and that’s when GolfStatus came into the picture.

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“I honestly don’t know how we would have done it without GolfStatus,” Sam explains. “It would have quadrupled—or more—the work and time that went into the tournament.”

— Sam Clark, Tournament Organizer

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Download the full case study to get the full scoop on how GolfStatus provided Sam and the planning committee with a one-stop shop for their golf tournament—and how they were able to use the platform and leverage add-ons to meet their fundraising goals for a first-year event.

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Get qualified for golf for good

Texas Tech Alumni Association of Collin County was able to utilize GolfStatus’ golf event management platform at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program. You can get a free event website with online registration, access to exclusive sponsorships and add-ons, tournament planning guidance, and more at no risk. Click below to find out more and get qualified!

There’s no nonprofit fundraising event quite like a charity golf tournament. It’s a fun, social event that not only raises money, but boosts awareness for your organization and cause, forges or strengthens partnerships, fosters corporate support, and broadens your donor pool.

Because golf tournaments have so much potential to move nonprofits forward, it’s in your best interest to attract as many golfers as possible to play in your event. Here are 11 quick ideas to get golfers interested in your tournament.

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1. use an event website

If there’s one non-negotiable for a successful golf tournament, it’s an event website. You’ll meet people where they already are—online—to share information about your tournament and what you’re raising money for in a professional manner. Share the link in all your promotional materials to drive traffic to the website where they can commit as soon as they hear about the tournament.

2. make registration as easy as possible

Online registration is the standard for events these days, and golf tournaments are no different. It’s quick, convenient, and saves everyone—organizers and golfers alike—time and hassle. Everyone is busy, so an event site equipped with a simple registration checkout process is key to getting them on board. Be sure that the website is mobile-friendly so golfers can register right from their phones!

3. make it irresistible

It starts by understanding your target audience and what would appeal to them. Would they be interested in golfing at (and paying the corresponding registration fee) a high-end, private club? Or is a public course with a lower registration fee more appealing? Both can be a draw for golfers, depending on your supporters’ preferences. Attractive prizes, memorable add-ons, alternative or inclusive formats, and fun contests also go a long way toward getting golfers to say “yes” to your event, so highlight these throughout your promotions.

4. get in touch with past event participants & supporters

If yours is an existing event, start with past golfers. Invite them to come back and play in support of your mission. You might offer a special discount code or registration rate for returning players to sweeten the deal. If you’re getting a new golf event up and running, reach out to past participants in other events your nonprofit has held or participated in. Ask your loyal supporters to share the word about the upcoming golf tournament. You might provide some copy/paste verbiage or social graphics they can use on their personal channels.

5. leverage sponsors & other partners

Sponsors are a major part of your golf tournament’s success. Leverage their participation and networks to help attract players. Sponsors and businesses will often use charity golf tournaments to entertain clients, woo prospects, network, and even reward employees, so it makes sense to build a team or two into some of your sponsorship packages. Not only does this add value, but it also helps fill your tournament’s field in the process. You might also consider providing promotional assets (logos, verbiage, graphics, etc.) to your sponsors and invite them to share them on their social media platforms and with their employees.

6. get your board & planning teams involved

Ask each member of your nonprofit’s board and tournament planning committee to think of five to 10 contacts they’ll invite to play in the event. This bite-sized request makes it easy for them to follow up and broadens your pool of potential golfers. Set them up for success with talking points or email templates to help with their outreach.

7. send promotional emails

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to cast a wide net of potential golfers. Start with a save-the-date email to last year’s golfers and sponsors and/or your nonprofit’s email list as soon as you finalize the date and course. Send strategic reminder emails at intervals leading up to the tournament date. Consider adding an early bird registration period or a registration closing date to help create urgency among potential participants and get them to commit earlier.

8. use social media effectively

Social media is another cost-effective promotional vehicle for your event. Utilize your nonprofit’s presence to drive registrations via your event website. Create a Facebook event and make your planning team co-hosts so they can invite their networks to register and widen your reach. Tap into Facebook groups—there are often groups strictly for sharing nonprofit fundraising events, golf tournaments, or community events. If you have a few dollars to spare, consider a limited paid ad campaign that targets a specific geographic area or interests. If you spend even $100, but get one or two teams to register as a result, you’ve gotten good ROI!

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using social media to amplify your golf fundraiser

Download this free guide to find out how to leverage social media to make the most out of your charity golf tournament and raise the most money possible for your cause!

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9. Promote it to your community

Your community likely has event boards, community calendars, or other similar avenues to promote local events. Submit your tournament to such channels, and consider reaching out to local television and radio stations with a press release or an ask to list on their website. Use community gathering spots such as grocery stores, coffee shops, libraries, community centers, gyms, churches, or other locations to post flyers (with a QR code that links to your event site) advertising your tournament. The host golf facility may be willing to post flyers in the clubhouse as well, so don’t be afraid to ask!

10. leverage your tech stack

When you use GolfStatus to host your golf tournament website and manage your event, your tournament reaches tens of thousands of avid golfers in your area who actively look for local charity tournaments to play in. Your event will be listed on events.golfstatus.com as well as on the GolfStatus mobile app, helping you reach new golfers—and potential new supporters.

11. connect golfers to your cause

Be sure to help golfers understand 1. what they’re supporting by playing golf and 2. the impact of their participation on your work. Use your event website to help tell the story, and build in elements of cause connection to your tournament to help golfers get a tangible understanding—such as one team registration feeds a shelter pet for a month—of how they’re helping move your mission forward. You might use banners, signage, displays, guest speakers, beneficiary testimonials, or elements of on-course games to drive home the goals of the tournaments.

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No-Risk, No-Cost Tech for Your Next Golf Event

No matter if you’re holding your first golf tournament or your twentieth, you need a golf-specific event management tool to make your life easier. GolfStatus’ robust platform is built to handle the unique needs that come with a golf event, like team pairings, hole assignments, handicaps, and more. Built-in fundraising features and exclusive revenue-boosting add-ons and sponsorships help raise more money for your cause, while automations and our industry-leading support team help save you time and effort. Best of all, nonprofits can qualify for a free event website and no-cost access to the GolfStatus platform through the Golf for Good program. Click below to learn more and get qualified!

Ready to get started?

Click here to get qualified to use GolfStatus at no cost!

Golf may not be the biggest thing in football-focused Klein, Texas, but the boys and girls golf teams are talented, passionate, and growing. “The kids get so much out of being on the golf teams,” says Andrea Vickers, president of the Klein High School Golf Booster Club’s board. Klein High School provides some funding for the teams, but unfortunately, doesn’t have the budget to fully subsidize all the teams’ expenses and needs.

The Klein High School Golf Booster Club helps fill the funding gaps between what the school provides and what the student athletes need to be successful.

That’s where the Golf Booster Club comes in. The club wants to make sure any student that wants to play golf for the BearKats has the opportunity to do so and has the tools and equipment needed to be successful. The combined team of nearly 30 student athletes is becoming more competitive in local and regional tournaments and getting more kids excited about golf.

Filling the funding gap between what the school provides and what the student athletes need requires significant dollars. “Golf teams can’t just go play in the school gym or football field,” Andrea says. “We have to go to area golf courses and that gets expensive.” Other team expenses include entry and travel costs for tournaments, plus greens fees for practice rounds, uniforms, and balls for each golfer.

The Booster Club launched a golf tournament to help raise funds to cover costs like travel fees, tournament entry, and equipment.

Three years ago, the booster club decided to launch a golf tournament as the best option to raise as much money as possible. The first tournament was successful in terms of dollars raised, but the time and administrative burden on Andrea, her husband, and the rest of the planning team was significant. “We’re all busy parents that work full-time and shuttle kids to and from activities, so we really needed to get away from manual, time-consuming processes,” Andrea says. They used an online platform to manage registrations, but one that required much more time and attention than the team had to give. “It was loosely organized chaos!” Andrea says.

Read the [full case study] to find out how GolfStatus’ tournament management tech—which Andrea and her planning team were able to utilize at no cost through the Golf for Good program—streamlined the tournament from start to finish and prevented a whole bunch of stress.

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Planning a Golf Tournament?

Whether you have a tournament on the calendar or are just exploring the possibility of a golf event, GolfStatus can help! With easy-to-use technology, tournament planning resources, and an industry-leading support team, you’ll be set up for success. Click the button below to learn how you can use GolfStatus at no cost through the Golf for Good program and get qualified!

Sales is a big part of a successful charity golf tournament, much to the chagrin of some nonprofit event organizers. The thought of reaching out to businesses to sell them on sponsoring your golf tournament might put you into a cold sweat, but with a solid strategy and the right tools in place, it won’t seem as daunting.

It’s important to start your sponsor outreach as early as possible, for a few reasons. First, you have a longer window to bring in sponsor dollars to help cover tournament expenses. Second, businesses often allot their marketing or charitable dollars early in their fiscal year, so the earlier you can get on their radar and into their budget, the better. Finally, the sooner they come on board as a sponsor, the longer they earn impressions and get exposure for their brand. It’s in the best interest of your tournament and the business to onboard them as early in the planning and marketing process as possible.

Before you outline your sales strategy, be sure to check these to-dos off your list:

• Set a Fundraising Goal. Knowing the revenue you’re aiming for with your golf event will help inform the type of sponsorships you build, the businesses you approach, and even the price of golfer and team registrations. Be realistic, but don’t underestimate the value of your tournament.

• Have an Event Website in Place. A golf tournament website gives you a place to send folks to learn more about your tournament, register a team, or purchase a sponsorship—as soon as they hear about it. An event website is also key to providing digital sponsor exposure, as golfers and prospective sponsors visit the site and see current sponsor logos.

Once you have these in place, you’re ready to dive into your sales strategy.

1. Create a prospect list

A prospect list is simply who you plan to go after for sponsors for your golf tournament. Start by getting your planning team together for a brainstorming session to throw out names of potential sponsors. Nothing should be off the table at this point! Many businesses find golf tournament sponsorships especially appealing, as their audience is made up of their ideal client or customer.

• Local, Regional, and Even National Businesses. Don’t limit yourself to only local businesses, especially if a larger company has an office or headquarters in your area.

• Businesses Where You Have Personal Connections. Who’s your dentist? Or doctor? Where do you take your dog to be groomed? Who sold your house? What printer does your organization use? Who are your nonprofit’s vendors? Use your personal networks to your advantage.

• Businesses That Are Connected to Your Cause. Think about businesses that have some type of connection to your mission. For example, if you’re raising money for a pet rescue, think about groomers, boarders, veterinarians, or pet supply stores. If yours is a memorial tournament, look for those that have a connection to the tournament’s namesake or the cause you’re raising money for.

• New Businesses. These are a great option for golf tournaments, especially for hole sponsorships. New businesses might not have a large budget for advertising, but still need and want the exposure.

Once you have your prospect list established, identify connections with your and your planning team’s personal and professional networks. Having an “in” at a business often leads to a successful sponsorship pitch!

2. build attractive sponsorship packages

Keep this in mind as you build your sponsorship packages: If you can put a logo on it, you can sell a sponsorship! Start by looking at your tournament’s hard costs and building sponsorship packages to cover them, such as food and beverage, player gifts, on-course games, beverage carts, golf carts, or hole-in-one contests.

Consider these best practices for sponsorship packages:

• Provide Value. Every sponsor package should provide enough return on investment (ROI) to justify the business’ support. Whether it’s brand exposure, the opportunity to engage with golfers, the chance to speak at the tournament’s kickoff or banquet, or registrant information, be sure to clearly outline the benefits for each sponsorship so prospective sponsors understand exactly what they’re getting.

• Show Tangible Impact. Help businesses understand what their support of your tournament will do. For example, the Title Sponsor will underwrite 10 dog adoptions. The goal is to help connect sponsors to your cause and compel them to participate.

• Attach Teams to Sponsorships. Not only does this add additional value to each package, but it functions to help fill your tournament’s field. Many of the highest grossing tournaments only have teams attached to sponsorships.

• Be Flexible. Don’t be afraid to create custom sponsorships based on what returns value for the business. It’s likely that your final slate of sponsorships will look different than when you started—and that’s ok!

• Accept In-Kind Support. Businesses are often interested in providing in-kind donations of goods or services instead of monetary support. These can be leveraged as raffle prizes, player gifts, auction items, pin prizes, to just enhance the overall tournament experience, or reduce your operating costs. For example, a local caterer or grocery store might be interested in providing lunch or snacks. Or perhaps a sporting goods store wants to donate a golf bag or gift card. Provide exposure and thanks for these contributions.

Your event management platform should make it simple to create and list sponsor packages on the golf tournament website, plus make additions and updates as necessary.

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Sample golf fundraiser sponsorship packages

This free guide outlines three sets of golf tournament sample sponsorship packages, including pricing, benefits, and golfer registration costs. You’ll find examples for small, mid-sized, and large tournaments that you can adapt based on your tournament’s unique needs.

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3. price packages effectively

As mentioned previously, your fundraising goal will guide your pricing, combined with the caliber of the host golf facility and size of the tournament’s field. Don’t expect to hit your goal with one sponsorship sale! Keep these points in mind as you consider package pricing:

• Cover Costs. As a baseline, you should cover hard costs and build in pure revenue to each package.

• Offer Varying Price Points. Lower price points might be an easier sell for businesses that don’t have a huge budget. That being said, don’t be afraid to go after the bigger fish who have more robust philanthropic or marketing budgets.

• Understand your network and its capabilities. Are there a number of businesses you can approach for lower-cost packages? Or do you have one or two you can target for pricier sponsorships?

• Don’t Underprice Your Sponsorships. Remember that your tournament has a unique value proposition! Sponsors get high engagement and exposure to an audience they can’t access anywhere else.

4. make an effective pitch

Once you’ve identified connections at prospective sponsors on your prospect list, determine who will reach out to each prospect. Lean on your planning team, staff, or board as much as possible in this phase, not only to leverage their connections, but to share the work. It’s a good idea to put the person tasked with reaching out to a business in charge of the relationship with that sponsor.

It’s also a good idea to use a shared template or talking points to ensure consistent messaging and make it easier to make the pitch. Use a combination of approaches, perhaps with an introductory email, followed by a phone call and/or check-in email. For larger sponsorships or when pitching to a known partner, you might want to connect in person. Every pitch should clearly outline the pricing and benefits, as well as an overview of the audience and estimated attendance numbers, if known. Ask them what they hope to get out of the partnership, which helps both parties get the most value out of the sponsorship. Send folks to the event website to view available sponsorships and purchase their package.

If yours is an existing tournament, offer past years’ sponsors the first right of refusal. Give them the option to move up to a different package, or stick with what they’ve done in the past.

Above all, remember the worst they can say is no!

An event website makes it simple for prospective sponsors to view available sponsorships and purchase a package with a few clicks.

5. Lean on technology

Technology is a key part of golfer and sponsor outreach, with an event website as the centerpiece. The website makes marketing and promotion as simple as sharing a link, where folks can learn more about your organization and event and register or become a sponsor as soon as they hear about it. A website makes the tournament shareable, so your supporters can share it with their networks, instantly expanding your potential audience.

The digital exposure afforded by the event website adds even more value to your sponsor packages. Every time someone visits the site, sponsors get eyeballs on their brand. And with the right event management tool, sponsor exposure is automatic—it gets added to the site as soon as a sponsor purchases a package via the website and starts earning impressions right away.

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GolfStatus Makes It Easy

GolfStatus’ golf tournament management platform makes it easier than ever to build custom sponsorships, sell packages, collect assets, and provide digital sponsor exposure. It comes with an attractive, mobile-responsive event website and a user-friendly interface that streamlines tournament planning and execution. Nonprofits and charities (and third parties hosting golf events on their behalf) can qualify to use GolfSatus at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program. You’ll get access to tech tools, exclusive premium sponsorships, add-ons, and our A+ in-house support team to make your tournament a success. Click below to get qualified!