How to Organize a Charity Golf Event

Over 107 million Americans have played, watched or read about golf during their lifetime. It’s clear that golfing in all its forms remains a popular hobby and sport amongst seasoned golfers and amateurs alike. That’s why a charity golf tournament makes a lot of sense if you’re looking to raise funds and give your audience…

Over 107 million Americans have played, watched or read about golf during their lifetime. It’s clear that golfing in all its forms remains a popular hobby and sport amongst seasoned golfers and amateurs alike. That’s why a charity golf tournament makes a lot of sense if you’re looking to raise funds and give your audience a good time as well. So how do these events work? And what do you need to organize them? We answer all your burning questions about running a golf tournament for charity down below.
A Par 3 shootout golf tournament with many golf carts and golfers

How Do You Organize a Golf Day for Charity?

To host a charity golf tournament, you first need to set up a place for people to register. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is to set up a website that allows people to sign up for your event. The registration process will normally require the payment of a registration fee by every participant to help you cover the cost of the organization. Now, if you have a fixed cause in mind, you can make it known to potential participants at the very beginning. However, if you want to give the participants some leeway with their donations you can ask each team to choose their own cause to donate to. Next, you also need to choose the course for your event as well as the format for your golf tournament. Formats can range from stroke play and match play to best ball or scramble. Depending on the level of expertise you expect your participants to have, you can choose a suitable format to follow.

How Much Do Golf Fundraisers Make?

Now that you’re familiar with the basics of organizing a golf tournament, you might wonder how much money you can expect to raise for your cause. If you’re partnering with an organization, it is wise to keep them in the loop. Discuss how much money you want to raise, and how you plan on raising it. Be as specific as you can, because that helps you define your goals. Depending on the scale of your event, and the sponsorship you are able to get, you can raise anywhere between $5,000 to $300,000 for your cause. It all depends on how you plan your event, and how many participants you can get. Simply knowing how to run a golf tournament is not enough. Marketing, hosting, leadership, and execution all play a role in defining the quality and success of the event.

How Much Does It Cost to Host a Golf Event for Charity?

Budgeting is a major part of planning an event. To get a clearer picture of how much your golf tournament will cost, you need to consider the following things:
  1. How much will it cost to rent a golf course for a day?
  2. What are the prizes going to be?
  3. What kind of refreshments are you willing to offer?
  4. How much are your goodie bags going to cost?
Once you have the answers to all of these questions, it is likely that your per head cost will range between $125-150. This will lead you straight into your next predicament – finding sponsors.

How Do You Get Sponsors for Golf Events?

Before you go ahead and approach potential sponsors, it’s important to have a clear idea of what your golf tournament is going to look like. Have a clear list of quotes from all the services you will be employing, and a final amount you’re aiming to get. After you have this, get together with your organizational team and put together a list of sponsors. This could include local entrepreneurs, politicians, and businesspeople. If you know someone who’s very passionate about the cause you’re fundraising for, they should definitely be on your list. Additionally, anyone who has a reputation for sponsoring other events should also be on your list. Also, keep in mind that sponsorship does not always have to be monetary. Be open to a local cafe willing to sponsor snacks, or a small business willing to sponsor event T-shirts. Every little bit counts. Next, be sure to approach every sponsor with a written statement of everything you need. If promises are made, make sure you get it in writing to avoid any complications later on.

Other Organizing Tips for Your Charity Golf Tournament

The key to a good event lies in the details. In addition to those tips, here are a few more things to keep in mind to make your event a success.

Pick the Right Golf Course for Your Event

Finding the right golf course is perhaps the single most important thing you need to do for a successful event.

Make Sure There Is Plenty of Food and Drink

Nothing kills an event like a lack of refreshments. Whether it’s sunny or cold weather, make sure you have the right snacks to keep the spirits high. Satisfied bellies make bigger donations.

Make Sure You Give Attendees Goodie Bags

Goodie bags are a fantastic way to make everyone at your event feel involved. Additionally, things like T-shirts, visors, and booklets are a great way to promote your cause and spread awareness.

Hire a Team to Help You Out

If hosting a charity golf tournament seems too overwhelming, hiring an event management team to help you is a great idea. Not only will it help to make your event a success, but it will also give you room to focus on the more important aspects of your fundraiser. Need help with your golf tournament? Get in touch with us at RedWater Events, and we’ll be happy to assist you with your needs!

Ready to Book?

Reach out for more information on any of our venues!