Proven Successful Strategies and Common Pit-Falls for Charity and Corporate Golf Tournaments

PROVEN SUCCESSES

1. Secure Sponsorship Early

• Why it works: Cash and in-kind sponsorships cover costs before golfer registration even opens, lowering risk.

• Best practices:

  • Offer tiered sponsorship packages (e.g., Platinum, Gold, Silver) with clear benefits.

  • Include both golf-related (Sponsor Plaques, 18"x24" Corrugated Signs, Cart Clings,) and non-golf exposure (website, social media).

  • Create exclusive sponsorship opportunities (e.g., “Hole-in-One Contest Sponsor”).

    • Show your sponsor our HIO Prize Packages and have them select the prizes they would like to sponsor based on their available budget

• Example: One client funded their entire tournament before a single golfer registered — the rest of the income was pure profit for the charity.

2. Create an Experience, Not Just a Round of Golf

• Why it works: Players remember the fun extras more than the golf itself, and word-of-mouth drives next year’s turnout.

• Ideas:

  • Fun contests: Closest-to-the-pin, Longest Drive, Straightest Drive.

    • Our most popular awards for these contests: Mahogany Club & Ball on Base

    • On-course food & drink stations (craft beer tent, BBQ at the turn).

    • Photobooths or drone footage at signature holes.

    • Theme it — Hawaiian, sports jerseys, “Casino on the Course.”

• Bonus: A post-round awards dinner keeps everyone together for sponsor recognition and auction bidding.

3. Make Registration Smooth & Digital

• Why it works: Eliminates chaos on tournament day.

• Best practices:

  • Use online platforms (We recommend BirdEase - other options: Golf Genius, Event Caddy, BlueGolf) for registration & payment.

  • Send confirmations with dress code, schedule, course address, parking info.

  • Have a dedicated welcome team with pre-printed name tags & scorecards.

4. Maximize On-Course Fundraising

• Why it works: Golfers are already in a giving mood.

• Top earners:

  • SuperTicket Fundraising Package - Fully Customized for your event, sold at check-in.

  • String games (buy string to move the ball closer to the hole) - Include in your SuperTicket offering to boost value for little/no cost to the charity (cost of string only)

  • On-course raffles or “Beat the Pro” challenges.

  • Putting contests during check-in.

5. Hole-in-One Prize Quality Over Quantity

• Why it works: Premium HIO prizes generate excitement and golfers will bring their friends next year

• HIO Prize Ideas:

  • Cash (Most Popular)
  • Trips: The Masters, Pebble Beach
  • Cars: Toyota Tacoma, Ford Bronco

   

COMMON PITFALLS

1. Waiting Too Long to Promote

• Why it fails: Golfers plan months ahead, and peak charity golf season books up fast.

• Fix: Start marketing 4–6 months out with “Save the Date” emails, social media, and local press.

2. Underestimating Weather Risk

• Why it fails: No rain plan means lost revenue and upset participants.

• Fix: Have a covered space for check-in and banquet, clear refund/rain date policy, and consider rain insurance for high-revenue events.

3. Nickle and Diming your Golfers

• Why it fails: Too many asks for money or donations throughout the day results in frustrated golfers - ask for only one core donation in the morning and leaving your golfers alone the rest of the day to enjoy what they came for - a nice round of golf!

• Fix: Go with our SuperTicket Fundraising Package - ask for only one donation during registration in the morning this year to ensure happy golfers and a healthy bottom line. Over the years we have seen golfers are willing to give more when you ask for one core donation, especially if the value is there for their money!

4. Neglecting Sponsor Recognition

• Why it fails: Sponsors won’t return if they don’t feel valued.

• Fix: Give them visibility:

  • Banners, tee signs, program mentions.

  • Social media shoutouts before and after.

  • Thank-you gifts/awards & personal notes.

5. Forgetting the Follow-Up

• Why it fails: Without post-event contact, you lose momentum.

• Fix: Within a week:

  • Send thank-you emails with photos.

  • Share the fundraising total and impact.

  • Open early-bird registration for next year.

✅ Pro tip: The most successful tournaments follow a 3-phase strategy —
Pre-event (secure sponsors, fill the field), Day-of (create a memorable experience), Post-event (recognize and rebook).

Call or email us for additional information, complimentary proofs, or if you have questions. 

We are here to help you!

1 (877) GTS-0555 or INFO@GTStournaments.com