Born largely out of necessity, virtual golf tournament fundraisers bring donors and sponsors together to enjoy a round of golf in support of a great cause—just not all at the same place at the same time. A virtual golf event is played over an extended timeframe at one or more golf courses, leveraging technology to give golfers the flexibility to play when it’s convenient for them while supporting a great cause. Indeed, virtual golf events have kept many tournaments from being forced to cancel. But the advantages of virtual golf events go well beyond social distancing. Event organizers have found that these virtual events—whether an entirely virtual outing or an additional virtual round added to a traditional golf tournament—hold tremendous possibilities for fundraising, connecting with supporters, and further expanding your organization’s donor base. The right technology makes them lucrative—and fun! Here are a six advantages of virtual golf events.

---

1. You have more options—and opportunities.

Particularly in times of uncertainty, organizations need options. Virtual events give you more options to help meet your fundraising goals. You can choose to run a completely virtual event at one course, across multiple courses throughout your city, or even across regions. You can also add a virtual round to a traditional, one-day event—which lets you choose more than one golf facility, increase the field size to an almost unlimited number of players and teams, and extend the event’s duration. A virtual round that extends over the month in which the in-person tournament is held, for example, attracts the whole community to the course to play a round in support of your cause. The best part? This is all in addition to the support your organization receives the day of your traditional event.

2. Virtual events often come with lower overhead costs and more flexibility.

Most virtual golf event formats don’t require reserved use of the golf facility, which keeps costs low for event organizers and allows golf facilities to continue business as usual. Since golfers play on their own time, there are no food and beverage contracts to negotiate, banquets or awards ceremonies to plan, or day-of details to handle last minute. This makes virtual events a low-risk, high-reward option with the flexibility to change course if needed.

3. Live scoring keeps supporters engaged.

Virtual events powered by GolfStatus benefit from its robust golf event management technology, which includes live-scoring functionality. When golfers register for the virtual event, they receive a code to live-score their round via the GolfStatus mobile app to submit their scores to the event’s aggregate online leaderboard. Golfers and spectators love keeping up with the real-time leaderboard standings throughout the event’s duration, and sponsors love the extended digital exposure to an engaged audience of golfers.

Golfers and spectators follow live leaderboards throughout the event.

---

4. You can Leverage leaderboards
to Raise more money.

You’ll want to promote your virtual event heavily once it goes live and players and teams can register and submit scores—not only to keep it in front of potential players and supporters, but to attract spectators who support your cause to donate through your online leaderboards. GolfStatus’s live leaderboards have the built-in ability to accept online donations before, during, and after any event, including virtual tournaments. Get creative and leverage this feature to raise additional funds. Challenge supporters to donate an amount equal to their score or ranking, match the winning team, or give another specified amount. In addition to targeted asks, it’s also a great idea to share live leaderboards on your organization’s social media accounts and encourage supporters to help spread the word.

5. Virtual events use Digital exposure
to bring in sponsorship dollars.

Sponsors appreciate meaningful exposure to an affluent, influential demographic and they especially appreciate when their brand looks good. GolfStatus’s virtual event options provide tons of digital exposure, through professional and prominent branding across multiple channels (including online and mobile). This means not only more sponsorship options, but options with minimal overhead and value for sponsors. Event organizers can include digital exposure as part of other sponsorship packages, or list it as a standalone technology sponsorship.

6. Technology makes virtual events easy, lucrative, and fun.

Virtual golf events powered by GolfStatus start with the buildout of a free custom event registration website and include access to its full-service golf event management platform. We make every detail—from live-scoring to digital sponsorships—easy and stress-free with user-friendly technology and full access to our top-rated, in-house customer success team. What’s more, GolfStatus is available at no cost to qualifying nonprofits through our Golf for Good program. Contact us at events@golfstatus.org to get qualified, or follow the link below.

---

If 2020 has taught fundraisers and event organizers anything, it’s that they have to be able to adapt on the fly. Organizations pivoted traditional golf fundraisers to virtual events and leaned on technology to adapt in-person golf tournaments and salvage them as fundraising opportunities. This approach paid dividends, providing a much-needed revenue boost in an already challenging financial year for nonprofits and paved the way for event fundraisers to head into another uncertain year with more options. With spring events still up in the air, many are going completely virtual, considering virtual elements, or simply looking for a back-up plan in case they have to. For golf tournaments, it turns out that all three scenarios are surprisingly easy to plan for. Here’s what you need to know about virtual options for golf tournaments and how to leverage them.

How Virtual golf Events Work

A virtual golf event powered by GolfStatus doesn’t get played online; instead, it takes place at one or more golf courses over an extended period of time. Golfers register online to donate their round in support of a cause, play when it’s convenient for them instead of congregating at one facility on a given date and time, and enter their scores into the virtual event’s online leaderboard, all without the typical crowds of a one-day in-person event. Virtual events present more fundraising opportunities through digital sponsorships, and organizers share the event’s leaderboards over the course of the extended-play tournament to drum up online donations from participants and those following along.

Golfers submit scores via the GolfStatus mobile app that instantly syncs to an aggregate online leaderboard to keep supporters engaged.

---

Given the uncertainty ahead for traditional gatherings and fundraising events, options and flexibility are especially crucial. Indeed, virtual formats can be leveraged in a number of ways, including going completely virtual, running a virtual event in tandem with a traditional on-site event, or keeping the virtual event in your back pocket in case you need to change directions last-minute and cancel your traditional on-site outing. 

In fact, adding a virtual option to a traditional, in-person tournament is a built-in backup plan. In the best case scenario, both events move forward and you’re able to attract more players and sponsors to the outing than you would normally be able to with a regular one-day outing at the course. Golfers who feel more comfortable playing a round in support of the tournament on their own, have a scheduling conflict, or weren’t able to register for the traditional outing before teams filled up are still able to participate and purchase a team or individual registration. Sponsors can also support the live leaderboards for both the virtual and day-of competition in exchange for digital exposure through the GolfStatus-powered event website, live-scoring app, and online leaderboards.

What’s more, if the in-person event ends up needing to be canceled or modified, the virtual event can oftentimes proceed without missing a beat.

No Risk, High Reward

With golf’s popularity surging (the National Golf Foundation reports that September 2020 rounds were up 26% compared to 2019 and golf equipment sales topped $1 billion in the third quarter of 2020, an all-time record), people will continue to be eager to hit the links in any way they can in 2021, making now the perfect time to add a virtual element to your golf tournament—with little to no risk and a ton of fundraising potential. 

If you’re working on behalf of a nonprofit, or if your event benefits a 501(c) organization or established social cause, you likely qualify for GolfStatus’s Golf for Good program, which makes it possible to add a virtual round to your existing event or go completely virtual with your tournament at no cost. Further, the costs incurred with virtual events and added virtual rounds are typically minimal, making virtual options low-cost and low-risk. Unlike a traditional golf tournament, you won’t need to rent the whole facility on a specific date and time, which can limit or altogether eliminate green fees (usually one of the most substantial expenses associated with the golf event).

For St. Luke’s Health Foundation (which raises money for St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho) a virtual outing was a way to keep its 35-year golf event going safely and successfully amid COVID-19. “We quickly realized that the number of participants in a virtual tournament is only limited by the number of people that can play at the course each day,” says Maegan Krahn, director of special events and director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at St. Luke’s Health Foundation. Ahead of 2021, Maegan and her team will use what they learned to add a monthlong virtual round to their usual one-day outing. Live-scoring technology makes both possible, with online registration and in-app scoring to eliminate touchpoints plus the virtual round that allows hospital staff, foundation leadership, board members, and other supporters more opportunities to play in and sponsor the tournament.

---

“We quickly realized that the number of participants in a virtual tournament is only limited by the number of people that can play at the course each day.”

— Maegan Krahn, director of special events and director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at St. Luke’s Health Foundation

---

Technology is the Key to Success

The right technology makes successfully executing the add-on of a virtual round or a completely virtual tournament surprisingly simple. GolfStatus makes it easy—with free custom event websites equipped to streamline registrations for virtual and traditional events, plus options for touch-free live scoring, live leaderboards, digital sponsorships, easy event promo, and more golf event-specific features.

---

Ready to get started? Email us at events@golfstatus.org or follow the link below to learn more about our Golf for Good program and get qualified.

---

If you’re planning a golf event for spring, you may be facing a mixed bag of challenges. On the one hand, golf is on the rise. Courses nationwide are seeing a huge uptick in participation; if this pace continues, you’ll likely have an easy time filling teams and attracting support. On the other hand, it’s difficult to make decisions amid so much uncertainty. Either way, there’s one simple step you can take now to set your organization up for success in the spring: Launch a golf event registration website (free for qualifying nonprofits through GolfStatus.org’s Golf for Good program). Here’s why it matters and how nonprofits can qualify for a free custom site build.

---

10 Ways an Event Website Sets you Up for Success

1. The event becomes easier to promote.

You’ll want to get in front of donors and sponsors earlier than usual for this spring’s events. A golf event registration website makes it easy; instead of printed materials, you promote your event online and through emails—taking advantage of targeted digital marketing and inviting players and sponsors to sign up through a link to your event website.

2. You can plug it into your existing site.

If your organization has a great website already, you’ll want a way to list sponsorships and teams and plug in the registration component seamlessly. With GolfStatus’s custom event sites and golf event management platform, donors and sponsors click a link and find themselves on a page specifically about your golf event where they can purchase teams, browse sponsorships, and learn more about the outing.  

3. Staff and volunteers save tons of time.

Collecting registrations online streamlines everything. No need to track down mail-in forms, checks, and receipts; manage information across endless spreadsheets and emails; or enter and re-enter information. Instead current registration and sponsor info is accessible in real-time.

4. You have options.

You don’t necessarily need to have every single detail of your event hammered out before launching a website. It can be as simple as listing the date and time, with a note that more details will follow. The key is to get on the radars of donors and sponsors as early as possible. If you end up needing to transition the format of your event, you have options as the event gets closer. 

5. You can even go virtual if you need to.

Use an event website provider specifically designed for golf events—like GolfStatus—so you can seamlessly integrate live scoring and make adaptations like virtual formats and remote participation if you need to.

6. Live-scoring is a breeze.

Players registered through the website are ready to live-score through the free GolfStatus app during the event. Live leaderboards update in real time and can also be used to collect additional donations online and on mobile. They’re also a great sponsorship option.

7. Players and sponsors are more likely to commit.

When registration is just a click away, golfers and sponsors are able to commit to your event the moment they hear about it—whether it’s through email, social media, word of mouth, or other promotion—they’re substantially more likely to register if they’re able to do it right then and there.

8. Communication is super simple.

As details for your event are firmed up, simply update your website with pertinent information. GolfStatus’s tournament management platform also makes it easy to send emails to all registered participants with a few simple clicks.

9. No need for duplicative work and tedious data entry.

When golfers register on your event website, there’s no need to enter and re-enter information, which creates more opportunities for errors and takes tons of valuable staff and volunteer time. Online registration keeps everything updated, accurate, and accessible.

10. You capture crucial donor and sponsor data.

It’s common for more familiar donors to fill a team with friends, family, and colleagues. These members of donors’ networks are incredibly valuable to your cause. Collecting their information at the time of registration ensures that no existing or potential donor goes untraced—so you can forge valuable relationships.

---

Get Qualified for a Free Event Website for your Golf Event

In addition to custom golf event registration websites, GolfStatus has everything event organizers need to save time in planning golf outings large and small. It’s powerful technology that gives you options like easy player and sponsorship management, digital sponsorships you can sell to raise more dollars, live-scoring and leaderboards, and the flexibility to go virtual if you need to. 

Best of all, access to GolfStatus is available at no cost to qualifying nonprofits through GolfStatus.org and the Golf for Good program.

---

There’s no doubt about it: COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work, and fundraise. Its long-term impact remains to be seen, but as health and safety restrictions and guidelines remain in place heading into the end of the year, organizations large and small are tasked with the challenge of planning amid the uncertainty of the year ahead. Here are eight predictions for golf fundraisers in 2021 and how to prepare so you’re ahead of the curve.

---

1. Golfers Will Be Eager to Play

For years, the golf industry has reported incredibly high latent demand (that is, tons of people who report that they want to golf, but haven’t or don’t regularly). The pandemic, almost at its immediate onset, poured fuel on the fire—challenging folks to get out and play. In fact, the industry as a whole has reported a record season with tee times booked consistently by golfers of all skill levels. This is good news for charity golf outings. Golf fundraisers traditionally use the scramble format, which means golfers don’t necessarily need to be extremely skilled at the game to participate in a charity tournament. 

With a huge uptick in rounds played by both new and experienced golfers in the 2020 season, event organizers can expect to have an easier time filling teams, especially by spring, when winter will be clearing up and folks will be eager to get out of the house.

---

2. Expect to See More Tournaments on the Calendar

With many organizations forced to cancel their other fundraising events, a lot was riding on golf fundraisers in 2020 and many long-standing annual events were able to safely press on thanks to some creative modifications and the use of technology. At the same time, many organizations that ended up making the difficult decision to cancel will have high expectations for 2021. Coupled with first- and second-year events born out of necessity during this time, organizations can expect to see not only a renewed interest in golf from donors and sponsors, but a renewed interest in golf fundraising events across the board and more events taking place overall. 

This makes early planning more important than ever. You’ll need to get save-the-dates out with enough time for players and sponsors to act. That means, if you’re planning a spring event, you should get a quick notice out to supporters ahead of year end (especially sponsors, who will be planning budgets). It’s also a good idea to get an event website for your golf outing set up so you can list available packages and supporters can start to actually commit. If you end up needing to postpone or modify the event, an event website designed around the nuances of the golf outing also makes it easy to do so.

3. Social Distancing & Other Safety Protocols Will Linger

No one can predict with certainty what’s ahead, but there’s definitely some merit in the old adage: Plan for the worst and hope for the best. It’s likely that event organizers and golf facilities will need to continue to modify events to meet capacity limitations, mitigate contact, and ensure social distancing. For golf events, this means using online registration, modified formats where necessary (i.e. tee times as needed), touch-free mobile scoring, and other adaptations that keep your event safe.

4. Extended Play & Multi-Course Events Will Be More Common

Virtual golf outings are another trend that has taken root in 2020 and will likely continue into 2021. Instead of an on-screen gaming experience like many virtual events, virtual golf outings are played remotely. The event is extended over multiple days and/or across multiple courses so players can essentially donate their round and participate in an aggregate leaderboard without being in the same place at the same time as 100-plus other golfers. One benefit of these modified virtual outings is that they’re particularly convenient for participants, who sometimes can’t make a one-day event due to busy schedules. Virtual events also broaden the scope of the outing so it can include more supporters (i.e. there’s a much larger field size limit). Lastly, these events often require minimal overhead and less planning—making it possible to hold them without a ton of costs, time commitments, or months of advanced notice.

---

5. Leaderboards Will Become More Common

Mobile scoring solved the problem of paper scorecards and the need to touch and pass them around, and there’s likely no going back. Live leaderboards allow tournament participants to score their round in real-time, so players and spectators can see standings at all times. The benefits are numerous: the event becomes instantly more competitive, golfers playing remotely in virtual outings are connected by a central scoreboard, and event organizers are able to sell exposure on the live leaderboard at a premium. What’s more, event leaderboards are a great place to collect additional online donations from event participants and those following along.

6. Sponsors Will Be Eager for Digital Exposure

With virtual elements and the adoption of technology, there comes digital advertising and opportunities for sponsor exposure. Digital logo placements are helpful for event organizers in that they’re easy to manage (just plug in a logo on a website, in a mobile app, or on leaderboards) and often have little to no overhead costs compared to signage or branded merchandise. Sponsoring businesses have also shown a propensity to support the technology that helps nonprofit organizations run more efficiently and effectively, making digital sponsorships a key opportunity for events that are evolving to leverage technology.

7. Organizations Will Focus on Capturing Event & Donor Data

Data has been the big buzz word in the sector for years, but there are some events and programming that seem to escape data capture and tracking mechanisms. The golf tournament has historically been one of those events, but it shouldn’t be. Indeed, the golfer demographic is, statistically, an affluent one. When golfers field a team, they tend to call on their networks and sphere of influence to do so. Perhaps most importantly, the golf outing can be a key entry point for corporate sponsors and partnerships. But none of this works if you don’t know who’s fielding teams, who’s being invited to play as a guest, who’s sponsoring your organization, and where the tournament falls into that supporter’s larger giving history.

The easy fix here is to use a platform that offers an event website with online registration and secure payment processing so you can capture and export that crucial information into your donor CRM. If your organization is fortunate enough to be the beneficiary of peer-to-peer fundraising or events run by third party organizers, capturing this data can be even more tricky, but it’s a huge missed opportunity if you’re not doing it. And, it’s still possible so long as your supporting events use the right technology.

8. Time Savings Will Be a Crucial Consideration

With many organizations facing budget cuts and staff consolidations, fundraising professionals have more on their plates than ever before heading into a high-stakes year. That means constant cost-benefit analyses, it means the ability to delegate is more important than ever, and it means organizations have to get creative to adopt technology to save time without adding more line-item expenses.

---

GolfStatus.org offers no-cost access to the technology that’s leading golf fundraising forward for qualifying nonprofits through its Golf for Good program.

---

Event Organizers Adapt to Hold Safe & Successful Traditional, Virtual & Hybrid Events

Whether you’re looking for a way to hold an event postponed from the spring or hoping to keep your annual golf tournament safe and successful, you’ll need to adapt. That means social distancing, eliminating touchpoints, offering new sponsorship options, utilizing technology to potentially go virtual, and finding ways to attract donors and sponsors. Here are a few actionable options to consider for your upcoming outing.

---

1. Adapt a traditional in-person event to minimize contact and allow for social distancing. 

With this approach, you will still host teams at a designated golf facility on a particular day at a particular time, but with some rule changes, potential format changes, and technology to allow for social distancing and minimize contact. Communicate with the golf facility about any pertinent rule changes, especially those that might affect the format or field size for the event. You’ll need to streamline registration and minimize mailers, check processing and handling, and other touchpoints. Do so with an event website, where you can list all pertinent information about the event alongside all available team packages, individual registrations, and sponsorships. You’ll likely need to plan to skip a banquet or other gathering after the event, which means you’ll need to find new sponsorships to sell. You’ll also need touch-free scoring options. Use a reliable live-scoring app with an option that will make it possible to sell additional digital sponsorships (such as a leaderboard sponsorship and in-app exposure) so you don’t miss out on critical sponsorship dollars. 

2. Hold an extended play event over multiple days, a weekend, a week, or longer. 

An extended play outing extends the length of time over which your outing is played to limit the number of players at the facility at once and keep everyone safely distanced. You’ll need to introduce some technology—namely online registration and an aggregate live leaderboard that collects scores as participants get out to the course and play for your cause. Leverage a holistic communications plan to share the leaderboard, collect online donations, and keep participants and spectators engaged before, during, and after the event. Not only does this ensure a good turnout and more sponsor exposure, but it also casts a broader net to bring in donations from folks following along online. Digital sponsorships will also be important here, as some of the traditionally used sponsorship options for your outing may not be possible (such as dinner sponsors and on-course hole signage).

3. Hold a virtual event across multiple courses. 

Another virtual/hybrid option is a multi-course outing that allows organizations to designate several courses where participants can play in support of your organization—essentially on their own time. Like an extended play outing, participants schedule and play their round when convenient. One key benefit of this approach is that your organization is less limited when it comes to the number of participants. Live leaderboards are also crucial here; you’ll need options that display scores at each course and across multiple courses and you’ll need to implement a thoughtful communications plan to keep people interested in the relevant geographic area interested in your outing. Take advantage of online registration to keep information organized and process participant information, and be sure to sell digital sponsorships—another great source of revenue. 

---

Whether you host a modified traditional outing or get creative with formats, scheduling, and locations, the right technology makes all the difference. GolfStatus.org can help! Our technology streamlines golf outings to save you time and keep your organization flexible.

Are you with a nonprofit or planning a golf outing that benefits one? No-cost access to our technology is available to qualifying nonprofits through our Golf for Good program.

---

There’s no doubting it: 2020 has forced organizations, industries, and entire sectors to adapt. Event fundraising is no exception and, within the category, the golf fundraiser has become especially critical. With other major events going completely virtual and, in many cases, being altogether canceled, nonprofits have looked to the golf tournament as a live event that’s not only salvageable, but grounds for improvement and innovation. What fundraisers have realized along the way is that this traditional and long-standing event is rife with opportunities to upgrade, streamline, and improve outcomes altogether. Indeed, golf outings are having something of a renaissance in a time when corporate connections, donor engagement, and outreach efforts are perhaps more important than ever.

---

1. Focus on audience

Any seasoned event planner knows that it’s not just about how many people you attract to a key fundraiser—but whom. Demographics and networks are important, and golf’s demographic tends to include high-capacity donors with powerful networks. In fact, golfers report an average household income more than twice that of the national average, the average net worth of a golfer is nearly $1 million, one in three are top-level managers and/or key decision-makers within their organizations, and the vast majority are invested in stocks or mutual funds.

The most successful event organizers understand the rarity of having four focused hours of access to these influential community members and capitalize on it by strategically aligning the event’s goals accordingly. This value can get lost when an annual event is passed to a new volunteer every few years. The shakeup of a crisis like COVID-19 has forced organizations to get to the heart of why their golf event matters and evaluate where it might be missing the mark.

2. Golf events are an entry point for corporate partnerships

Fundraisers are realizing that the golf outing’s unique tendency to attract wealthy and connected community members makes it a useful way to not only steward existing corporate partners, but to onboard new ones. This requires a more focused effort on approaching new sponsors and asking for their support amid a tumultuous economy. The ask is substantially easier because nonprofits are able to bring additional value to the table for sponsors who benefit from networking opportunities, exposure to an affluent and influential demographic of potential customers, and the especially crucial brand lift that comes with supporting a fun community event tied to a great cause.

3. Have a website for your golf event

Virtual events have brought to light the importance of a communication plan that engages participants before, during, and after the event in a meaningful way. What’s more, online followers and supporters are beneficial whether the event is virtual or not. For the golf outing, that has made an event website common practice. Having a website to display updated information about the event that includes the ability to register or sponsor the outing instantly and on the spot makes sharing the event in the time leading up to it easier and more effective. The event website is also an easy place to display and share live leaderboards and post final results.

4. Utilize live leaderboards

Access to live-scoring technology that’s easy, inexpensive, and glitch-free has made live leaderboards common practice. It used to be that live-scoring required devices on carts or supplied by third-party event companies, but today’s technology makes it possible for players to enter their scores and view standings in real-time from their mobile device. Live leaderboards also save the golf facility time, help organizers avoid that awkward downtime after the outing, and keep competitive players more engaged in the outing. They’re also a great sponsorship opportunity—one that resembles the high-end look and feel of professional-caliber events.

5. Solicit online donations from event spectators

Event organizers are also capitalizing on the opportunity to collect donations from supporters following and engaging with their golf event online. Event organizers do this by including asks in their communications plans and making it easy to donate from places like the event website and the leaderboards. Not only is this an outreach effort, it’s also an easy way to generate additional fundraising revenue.

6. Offer digital sponsorship opportunities

Digital sponsorship opportunities provide more opportunities for premium exposure and are helping event fundraisers attract and retain sponsors during this crucial time. With elements like registration websites, mobile scoring, and live leaderboards improving planning efficiencies and making it easier for players to commit and engage—they’re also a great opportunity for sponsors.

7. Extend golf events to engage online spectators longer

Restrictions and regulations have forced many organizations to consider and execute on creative formats in order to keep players safely socially distanced. This includes extended play options, multi-course options, and live online leaderboards that engage a following and keep supporters interested in the event for longer than a single day. What event organizers are realizing is that extending play and opening up multiple courses provides convenience to online spectators.

Before these innovations, event organizers might miss out on a key team or a number of key teams due to busy summer and fall schedules. Technology provides the ability to extend play over multiple days or even weeks, and include multiple courses in the outing—not only making it possible for more players to (safely) participate, but making it easier and more convenient for them to do so.

8. Embrace technology & professionalism

2020 has necessitated a no-frills approach that reinforces the importance of smooth logistics and an overall smooth and professional look and feel for the event. In short, it’s less about the tee gifts and more about having a relaxed, enjoyable time on the course. Donor expectations include an easy and convenient registration process, organized day-of operations, and an effortlessly high-end look and feel in line with a professional-caliber outing.

---

Take the next steps

The technology overhaul that happened years ago for large-scale fundraising events, such as galas and walk/run-a-thons, has finally come to golf events. What was once done by hand or through spreadsheets has been overhauled with better systems and processes—many of which are inexpensive, make it easy to underwrite or cover costs, or are no-cost altogether.

GolfStatus.org is designed specifically to streamline and upgrade the quality of your outing while also saving you tons of time. In short, when you have the tools and knowledge you need to position your golf outing in the right light and with less and less overhead, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to outreach, fundraising, stewardship, growth, and the overall success of the event.

This article was originally published by Nonprofit Tech for Good.

---

Interest in learning more about GolfStatus’s Golf for Good program? Submit an inquiry here to get qualified or email us directly at

events@golfstatus.org.

---

Nonprofits relying on events have been hit especially hard by COVID-19 with cancelled conventions, luncheons, galas, and other key fundraisers. With the fate of summer and fall events uncertain, many nonprofits are evaluating virtual options and making hard decisions about next steps. Among those decisions: What to do with the golf event. It turns out, in many cases, golf events can be modified to be made contact-free and safe. All it takes is some forethought and the right tools. Here’s how your organization can adapt the golf event to move forward.

---

Online Registration

Event logistics are consideration number one when it comes to planning a safe event. Be aware that the golf facility will inevitably have different protocols in place that you’ll need to plan around, including rule changes and capacity requirements. With courses reopening nationwide, most must observe capacity limits and require social distancing at all times. Online event registration eliminates this issue. Players purchase teams, sponsorships, and even add-ons like mulligans and raffle tickets through an event website (qualifying nonprofits can get a free custom-built and hosted event website through GolfStatus.org’s Golf for Good program), so they’re ready to tee off when they arrive on event day and don’t need to check in or congregate in the clubhouse.  

Staggered Tee Times & Extended Play

You may need to consider some format changes, including tee times instead of a shotgun start and twosomes instead of foursomes. This keeps players properly distanced at all times. Extended play is another option to consider. This allows event organizers to reap the benefits of a large field size and well-attended event, but keeps everyone safe by extending the duration of the event so it happens over several days or even weeks to spread out attendance. Players attend the event when they feel safe and when it’s convenient, so the event can have a potentially massive turnout without putting players, sponsors, and course staff at risk.

Live Scoring & Online Leaderboards

To accommodate extended play options (and even if you’re not extending play), you’ll need a contact-free way to collect scores from players participating in the event and a way to post them online to keep supporters engaged; that’s where live leaderboards come in. GolfStatus provides live scoring through its free mobile app. Players can use it to check into an event at a specific course, enter a unique code, and submit scores to an online leaderboard for the event. Your organization can then share the leaderboard online and through social platforms to engage a global audience of donors. In fact, online spectators can donate directly to your cause from the leaderboard. Plus the leaderboard sponsor gets unprecedented exposure—which means you can sell that sponsorship at a higher price point.

---

Invite Only

On the opposite end of the spectrum from extended play is an event with a limited field size. Depending on the goals for your event and the participants it traditionally attracts, this option—though it may sound counterintuitive—may be best. Limiting the size of the event to invite-only guests allows your organization to narrow in on its highest-capacity donors and corporate contacts. This not only increases dollars per donor, it increases the value of the event’s sponsorships because it provides exposure to a hard-to-reach demographic with substantial spending power. This is another opportunity to sell sponsorships at a higher price point.

Digital Sponsorships

When it comes to sponsorship options, these digital and virtual elements allow organizations to take advantage of digital exposure. There are several inherent benefits here: first, you save on the costs associated with printed materials and logo-printed merchandise. Second, your organization can provide more exposure during a time when everyone is online. Sponsors get exposure through your event website and live leaderboards—so online, in the app, and through any social and email promo you do for the event. Because sponsorships can be customized and listed online and registration is also online, you won’t need to mail print materials and packets. Just engage players and sponsors through digital channels and provide the added-value of ongoing exposure through them to your sponsors.

Communication

From the planning stages, it’s especially important to communicate clearly with players and sponsors. Be sure to let them know that modifications have been made to this year’s event to ensure the health and safety of all. Supporters are often happy to oblige, so long as they know what to expect. An event website is a great place to clearly outline changes to schedules, rules, formats, and other standard operating procedures. Be sincere and be honest. Let supporters know that their health and safety are of the utmost importance. Be sure to send email updates and other timely notifications when changes happen or an update is needed. GolfStatus.org’s technology makes this easy, too, with the ability to email all event participants with one simple click at any time. You can also send push notifications leading up to, during, or after the event.

Use Technology, Stay safe

With the right technology, a safe and successful golf outing is not only possible—it’s easy. GolfStatus.org streamlines every single adaptation your organization needs to make in order to safely host a live golf event or virtual golf fundraiser. What’s more, no-cost access to this technology is available to qualifying nonprofits through GolfStatus.org’s Golf for Good program.

---

To learn more or get started, submit an inquiry online or email us directly at

events@golfstatus.org.

---

You’ve heard of virtual auctions, virtual galas, and even virtual walk-a-thons—but a virtual golf tournament? It’s surprisingly simple, and a pretty brilliant way to use technology to bring people together to safely fundraise. Of course, virtual golf fundraisers provide the ability to tap into online and remote audiences for additional outreach and exposure, not to mention their substantial cost savings. These are especially crucial considerations as organizations assess the costs and benefits of moving fundraisers forward during these unprecedented times. Indeed, virtual golf events can be a straightforward, cost-effective, and—above all else—safe way to fundraise amid COVID-19. 

---

How Virtual Golf Events Work

Golf facilities are adapting to incorporate technology and require social distancing in order to continue to operate safely and responsibly during this time. Rule changes include walking requirements or one person per cart, leaving the flag stick in the hole at all times, foam cup inserts that make it easier to retrieve golf balls, and mobile scoring that eliminates the use of scorecards and pencils.  

The most common form of virtual golf event basically extends the duration of the event from the traditional half day to multiple days and, in some cases, multiple weeks. Event organizers work with the golf facility to accommodate this setup, and are often able to negotiate better rates because the facility can continue to serve other patrons at a safe volume when events are extended over a longer period.

The event organizer is set up with an event website from GolfStatus.org (free for qualifying nonprofits) that they can use to spread the word. Sponsorships are listed on the site and can include a number of digital exposure opportunities. Golfers can also register directly from this website, so they pay ahead of time and tee up contact free once they get to the course.  

Once at the course, players use GolfStatus’s free mobile app to check into the event and submit scores to an online leaderboard. Event organizers keep the leaderboard posted online for the duration of the event and use it to post final results. Organizations can offer sponsors high-value exposure on the registration website used to market the event and collect signups, in the mobile app, and on the leaderboards for the duration of the event (which is extended to offer even more value) and after scores are final.

During the event, donors, supporters, volunteers, and other online spectators can follow leaderboards online, and submit donations right from the leaderboard. It’s easy for event organizers to send updates and asks when the event kicks off, when it reaches a milestone, and when it’s almost over. Once finished, the final leaderboard can also be used to thank participants and sponsors. It’s all online, and the exposure sponsors get is primarily digital, so costs remain low and it’s easy to manage across multiple channels.

Key Outcomes

• A safe event for all. This is the first and foremost consideration and it’s absolutely crucial.

• Easy, online marketing and communications. Provide key info such as pertinent logistics and rule changes, share event details, thank sponsors, and spread the word through your free custom event website and through push notifications in the app as needed.

• Contact-free. Staggered participation, online registration, mobile scoring, and other key elements keep your event safe and contact-free.

• More participation. The convenience of flexible scheduling means players are more likely to be able to attend your event.

• Extended sponsor exposure. A longer event with digital sponsorship opportunities and online exposure gives your sponsors a better value, keeps your organization flexible, and helps mitigate costs.

• Better outreach, engagement, and exposure. Virtual events open your event up to a broader audience, helping you leverage a once-hyper-local event to spread national awareness for your outing and engage supporters in your cause. 

• More fundraising revenue. Virtual events keep costs low, so more of your dollars go to your mission.

• Flexibility to reschedule or cancel. These are uncertain times. If you do end up needing to reschedule or cancel your outing, there are no fees when you use GolfStatus and our customer success team makes it easy.

How to Get Started

Virtual events are easy and straightforward when you use the right technology. Get a custom event website and access to GolfStatus.org’s virtual golf event management platform (available at no cost to qualifying nonprofits) by inquiring below.

---

Click here to submit an online inquiry,

or email us directly at

events@golfstatus.org.

---

It’s a challenging time for fundraisers as nonprofits assess the next steps for events, many of which have been held for years and are crucial to the bottom line. As organizations question how to move forward safely and responsibly amid the backdrop of COVID-19, one event has emerged as safe and viable during this unique time: the golf outing. With the right technology and with some modifications, golf fundraisers are forging ahead to hold safe and successful events. Here’s how GolfStatus.org can help you do it.

---

GO VIRTUAL

• Spread an event across multiple days, a weekend, or even several weeks. Offer players and teams the option to participate on their own time, when it’s convenient and they feel safe. Players visit the course when it’s not congested and enter their scores using their mobile device—then follow an aggregate leaderboard online and in the GolfStatus app until the event is over.

• Live-stream leaderboards online. Keep supporters engaged on social media over the course of your event (whether it’s one day or multiple days) by live-streaming leaderboards. This also gives your sponsors more of the exposure they love.

• Accept donations from online spectators. GolfStatus.org’s Donate Now feature makes it easy for online spectators to submit a donation instantly right from the leaderboard.

GO CONTACT-FREE

• Use online registration with secure payment processing. Avoid mail-in forms and checks and limit check-in congestion and chaos at the golf course. Online registration is contact-free to keep everyone safe.

• Use mobile scoring instead of pencils and scorecards. Players stay safe by entering their scores on their mobile device. Your staff and the golf facility’s staff stay safe by avoiding passing scorecards back and forth.

• Offer digital sponsorships. Selling in-app sponsorships and live leaderboard sponsorships helps your organization avoid overhead costs and stay flexible. Add direct links to more information about each sponsor and even to their website to add more value and get them the exposure they need to support your event.

• Take advantage of pin flag exposure for sponsors. Custom pin flags are an easy, professional, contact-free sponsorship option, as most courses are mandating that pin flags stay in the cup at all times.

---

PLAN & COLLABORATE REMOTELY

• Manage sponsor logos and information in one place. Keep imagery and info (including sponsor descriptions and links) organized and accessible for all digital sponsorships in GolfStatus’s super sleek sponsorship management interface. It’s easy for your staff and volunteers to access and use.

• Keep information secure with user access permissions. The GolfStatus platform allows event organizers to provide access to different elements of the golf event planning process to specific committee members, board members, or volunteers on an as-needed basis. This keeps information secure and makes it easy to delegate—especially when your team is working remotely.

• Keep information accessible and updated. Make it easy for your team to access information online and in real time without hiccups through a web-based platform designed specifically for golf events. No need to hassle with web-based spreadsheets, online asset sharing, and a mix of other tools. Everything you need is in one place and every element of the golf fundraiser is accounted for.

• Safely and seamlessly collaborate with the golf facility. Handle tasks like team pairings and hole assignments, collaborate on them remotely with the golf facility, or delegate everything to the course. Handing off information is super easy when it’s all in one place and you can control and provide access permissions to the golf facility’s staff as needed.

STAY SAFE & FOCUSED

• Put GolfStatus.org to work. All of the above can be accomplished with the simple yet powerful technology available at no cost to qualifying nonprofits through GolfStatus.org’s Golf for Good program. This technology can not only save your organization time and resources, it can keep mission-critical dollars coming in the door during these challenging times when you need them most.

• Get in touch. Reach us directly to determine if your organization qualifies for no-cost access to our platform. And if you need help, advice, or just need a hand figuring out how to move forward with your event, our customer success team is here to help every step of the way!

---

Submit an inquiry here or contact us directly at 

events@golfstatus.org.

---