This installment of GolfStatus’ PGA Q&A blog series dives into how your tournament’s host golf facility can help maximize sponsorships. Hear from in-house PGA Professionals Cash Dinkel, PGA, and Jason Meininger, PGA, about sponsorships based on their experiences running outside events at golf facilities.

Cash Dinkel, PGA

Jason Meininger, PGA

Q: How can the golf facility assist with providing sponsor exposure at our tournament?

Cash Dinkel: The facility can help a ton because they control the flow of the day and the “real estate” sponsors want. The biggest thing is allowing and coordinating sponsor touchpoints in the right places, like registration, practice areas, cart staging, on-course holes, and post-round space, so exposure points are high and everything still looks clean and professional.

Jason Meininger: Most courses will help events give sponsors more exposure by adding logos to scorecards, cart signs, and the live leaderboard. Plus, you can put logos on pin flags on every hole, hole signs on tee boxes, and banners in high-traffic areas (which course staff can help identify).

Q: What are some ways we can work with the golf facility to get creative with sponsor exposure?

Cash Dinkel: Beyond standard tee signs, you can tie sponsors to moments golfers actually remember, for example, “Lunch Presented By,” “Range Presented By,” hydration stations, cart signs, contest holes, photo backdrops at awards, or a sponsor presence at the turn. The key is making it feel natural for the facility and not cluttered.

Jason Meininger: Ask course staff where the highest traffic areas are, so you know where to display materials for the most exposure. Also, be sure to ask about the ability to put logos on golf carts, beverage carts, the driving range, practice green, etc. These are all great spots on the course to sell sponsorships.

Q: Can the golf facility provide recommendations for the placement of signage or displays to maximize exposure?

Cash Dinkel: Yes, they should. The staff knows where golfers bottleneck, where they hang out, and what areas get repeated traffic. A quick walk-through with the tournament contact and a simple placement plan usually makes a big difference.

Jason Meininger: Yes, besides the tee boxes, the practice tee and practice green are excellent spots for signage. If they have a bag drop or snack bar area, these are also great locations.

The golf facility can provide suggestions for placing signs and banners in high-traffic areas.

Q: How does the caliber of the golf facility affect sponsorships?

Cash Dinkel: A higher-end facility can make sponsorships easier to sell because the event feels more premium, and sponsors like being associated with that brand. But I’ve also seen average courses crush it when the cause is strong and the tournament is well organized. Execution and a full field matter just as much as the name of the facility.

Jason Meininger: It really depends on the demographic you are targeting. You may be able to ask more for sponsorships at a higher-end or private facility, but it really depends more on the capacity of your event’s target audience and networks.

Q: How does the tournament management platform play into selling sponsorships?

Cash Dinkel: It helps a lot because sponsors want more than just a sign; they want visibility before and after tournament day, too. A solid platform gives you digital placements (website, registration, emails, pairings, scorecards, cart signs, and leaderboards), makes the event look polished, and makes it easier to sell and deliver on sponsor promises confidently.

Jason Meininger: It gives sponsors a digital presence on the event registration site as well as in-app during live scoring. GolfStatus also offers no-risk sponsorship opportunities (we only assess a fee if they sell), which can help organizations raise more money. Plus, events can use the platform at no cost, which helps to increase their overall sponsorship income.

A dedicated event website simplifies sponsor onboarding and provides digital exposure before, during, and after the tournament.

Q: If a sponsor is interested in engaging with golfers on tournament day, what or where are some good opportunities to do so?

Cash Dinkel: The best engagement happens where golfers naturally gather, and it doesn’t slow play, so places like check-in, the range/putting green, the first tee, the turn/halfway house, a contest hole, and the awards reception. If they want real interaction, pair them with a contest, on-course game, giveaway, or food/beverage moment.

Jason Meininger: A good option is to set up a table and/or tent at a hole or near the clubhouse to interact with players, or on a designated hole. It’s also a good idea to give higher-dollar sponsors time to speak during the welcome or any post-round meal and the awards presentation.

Q: What have you seen work well for sponsor exposure—signage, digital exposure, or a combination of the two?

Cash Dinkel: The best results come from a combo. Signage gives strong day-of visibility, and digital gives repeated impressions before and after tournament day.

Jason Meininger: The more exposure, the better, so definitely both. Having sponsor logos in both places ensures that golfers see their brand in more than one place.

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Ask the Pros!

Do you have a question for GolfStatus’ PGA Professionals? Email it to [email protected] with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line, and it might be featured in a future blog post or an upcoming GolfStatus webinar!

Planning a golf tournament? You can get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost—get an event website, online registration, communication tools, premium digital sponsor exposure, revenue-boosting add-ons, and more, plus access to GolfStatus’ responsive in-house client success team (including knowledgeable PGA Professionals and Fundraising Specialists). Click the button to book a meeting and learn more.

by Samantha Swaim, Founder and Strategic Director at Swaim Strategies

Golf tournaments are one of the most popular fundraising formats in the nonprofit world and one of the most underutilized.

The numbers can look fine on paper: sponsorships, registration fees, a check at the end. But did anyone leave more connected to your mission than when they arrived?

If the answer is "probably not," you're not alone—and you're not out of options. Done well, golf tournaments can be genuine mission experiences that deepen relationships and invite people into your cause long after the final putt drops. The key is auditing your event honestly.

Golf tournaments offer nonprofits the chance to raise meaningful funds while raising awareness about their mission.

The Three Questions Every Golf Tournament Should Answer

Before you sell a single foursome, ask:

1. Where are we including mission moments? Are there points before, during, and after the round where attendees genuinely encounter your mission, or does your cause only show up on the website?

2. When are we making an invitation to give? Not a passive donation table. A real, human-centered invitation for people to become part of what you're building in a way that helps them to show their support, be recognized, and feel a true sense of belonging?

3. Who are our key stakeholders, and are we deepening those relationships? Every tournament has people who are the real connective tissue: major donors, longtime sponsors, board champions. Is your event structured to honor those relationships, or are you too busy managing the scramble to find them in the crowd?
   
   

Mission Moments: Before, During & After

The SIRTA framework, drawn from neuroscientist Dr. Paul J. Zak's research and applied to fundraising events through our work, teaches us that people give most generously when they feel immersed in your story and the ask arrives at exactly the right moment. That means mission-building starts before anyone arrives on the first tee.

• Before the round: A story at breakfast, a mission moment in the registration confirmation email, or a brief video at check-in begins the process of immersion that makes everything else more powerful.

• During the round: A single signature hole where a volunteer shares a 60-second personal story with each foursome. Mission fact cards at tee boxes. Small design choices that compound across 18 holes and arrive at the clubhouse as a genuine emotional connection. How do you build your mission into the journey?

• After the round where everything changes: When golfers gather for lunch or dinner, you have something rare: a relaxed, socially bonded group in peak relational openness. This is the moment your mission should step fully onto the stage, and where a well-designed paddle raise can transform a $50,000 golf day into a $150,000 mission experience.

Take advantage of the relaxed, casual atmosphere following a golf event to further boost fundraising outcomes.

Sit People Down. Tell the Story. Make the Ask.

You cannot raise the most money while people are standing up and half-distracted. The post-round meal is not just an award ceremony; it's your single greatest fundraising opportunity of the day.

A strong post-round fundraising program includes:

• A mission-first welcome. Put your organization on stage to welcome guests and speak to the mission

• An impact story. First-person, specific, human, told by someone close to the impact

• A clear ask. An invitation to belong, with specific dollar amounts tied to real impact

• An authentic close. Connecting each gift back to the mission, not just expressing gratitude for attendance

Twenty-five minutes, designed well, can raise more than the rest of the day combined. But it requires intentional structure, a skilled facilitator, and a story that has been crafted, not improvised.

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Annual Event Audit

Want to go deeper on special appeal strategy? Swaim Strategies’ Annual Event Audit evaluates exactly this moment and helps you build a program that converts goodwill into real revenue.

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Protect Your Team’s Time for What Actually Works

Games and gimmicks are fun, easy to sell, and create surface-level energy. But when not done well, they can be labor-intensive, and every hour your team spends running a closest-to-the-keg contest is an hour not spent with the donors who will sustain your mission for years.

The highest ROI use of your team’s attention, every time, is relationship. The board member who sits with a major sponsor during cocktail hour. The executive director who walks the course and introduces herself to every foursome. The development director who has three conversations she came specifically to have.

Those moments don't happen by accident. They happen because you protected time for them.

When auditing your tournament, look at every item on your schedule and ask: Does this bring us closer to the people who matter most, or does it fill the day with noise? Fun is important. A few moments of chance and joy are valuable. But sometimes less is more. Focus your energy first on the relationships, then sprinkle in the little joy bombs along the course.

Look for ways to bring people closer to your mission and build relationships throughout your fundraising event.

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Your Golf Tournament SIRTA Audit Checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate your tournament through the SIRTA framework and find your greatest opportunities for growth.

🟢 S — STAGING

Have you set the conditions for connection before the first swing?

• Registration confirmation email includes a mission story or impact statement
• Welcome signage and arrival experience speak to mission, not just logistics
• Pre-round gathering includes a brief mission moment in a story, video, or speaker
• Volunteers and committee members welcome people and host them

🔵 I — IMMERSION

Are attendees being drawn into your story throughout the day?

• At least one hole features a personal mission story shared by a volunteer or beneficiary
• Tee box cards or hole signage include mission facts or impact data
• The post-round program is designed as a fundraising experience, not just a celebration
• Connection is intentional with key stakeholders positioned for relationship and mission exposure

🟡 R — RELEVANCE

Are you connecting your mission to what this audience cares about?

• Your mission story features someone your audience can personally connect with
• Your ask is framed around the impact a gift makes, not your organization's needs
• You know why your key sponsors are here and have tailored their experience accordingly
• Your post-round speaker reflects the lived experience of your mission community

🟠 T — TARGETING

Are you reaching the right people with the right message at the right moment?

• You have identified your top three to five stakeholders in advance and have a relationship plan for each
• Board members have been briefed and assigned specific relationship responsibilities for the day
• Giving levels in the special appeal are calibrated to the capacity of the people in the room
• You have a follow-up plan for new relationships within 48 hours of the event

🔴 A — ACTION

Are you making a clear, confident, human-centered invitation to give?

• Your tournament includes a dedicated, seated fundraising moment, not just a donation table
• A story is told by a person with a direct connection to your mission
• Giving levels are specific and impact-driven
• Both digital and paddle/card giving options are available so no one is excluded
• Every donor receives a personal thank you within 24–48 hours connecting their gift to impact
• Next year's tournament is mentioned to sponsors before they leave

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About Swaim Strategies

Swaim Strategies is a fundraising event consultancy dedicated to elevating nonprofit impact through events, strategy, and storytelling. Start a conversation with their team.

More Resources from Swaim Strategies

🎙️ The Fundraising Elevator Podcast

📋 Annual Event Audit

📖 Planning a Successful Major Donor Event Book

🆘 Gala 911: On-Demand Event Consulting

🎟️ The Elevate Conference

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

Traditional golf tournaments are ideal fundraisers and a proven way to raise serious funds. But for nonprofits with a dispersed donor and supporter base, it can be challenging to rally local support. Other nonprofits may be limited by course availability in their area or have concerns about unpredictable weather with a traditional golf fundraiser.

A virtual golf fundraiser is a smart, viable alternative to an in-person event. With low risk and broad reach, a virtual format allows you to engage supporters—and expand your donor base—from anywhere without the logistical concerns of a single-location event.

This guide will cover how to structure, monetize, and execute a successful virtual golf tournament fundraiser to maximize impact.

Table of Contents

• Virtual Golf Tournament FAQs

• Best Practices for Planning & Execution

• Creative Ideas to Maximize Virtual Golf Engagement & Revenue

Virtual Golf Tournament FAQs

What is a Virtual Golf Fundraiser?

Essentially, it’s a decentralized tournament where participants play a round at a local golf course (or even a simulator) on their own schedule. Instead of golfers gathering at a single golf facility on a single day, your supporters can participate from anywhere during a designated time period and still compete together in a unified event.

Much like traditional golf fundraisers, virtual events generate revenue through:

• Golfer registration fees (though they’ll still need to pay green and cart fees at their chosen golf facility)

• Sponsorships

• Donations

Virtual events are also well-suited to a peer-to-peer fundraising element, with a format that blends the competitive fun of golf with the accessibility of online fundraising.

Virtual golf events have the potential to reach a broad audience, especially if your supporter base isn’t localized.

What Are Some Virtual Golf Fundraiser Formats?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a virtual event, so be flexible and tailor it to your audience. Here are a few common formats:

1. "Play-anywhere" multi-day format. Your organization chooses a date range (such as a week or weekend), and golfers play a round at a course, day, and time of their choosing. This is the most accessible and scalable option for a virtual event.

2. Hybrid format. This combines an in-person event with a virtual component. Local golfers attend your in-person tournament, while out-of-town supporters compete remotely at the same time. A hybrid event offers the networking and camaraderie of a traditional golf tournament with the accessibility and reach of a virtual tournament.

3. Indoor simulator format. Partner with simulator venues like TopGolf or X-Golf to host synchronized, weather-proof, indoor events. This option can be perfect for winter fundraising in urban audiences.
   
   

What Are the Benefits of Hosting a Virtual Golf Fundraiser?

A virtual golf fundraiser offers several key advantages that can translate into higher fundraising outcomes:

• Broad reach. No geographic limits means golfers can join from anywhere, increasing participation.

• Reduced overhead costs. Because you’re not renting a golf facility or providing food and beverage, there are next to no costs associated with venue rental, catering, and on-site staffing.

• Flexibility. With some virtual tournament formats, golfers can play when it fits their schedule, making it easier for busy supporters to participate.

• Digital engagement. Use technology and social media to create a fun, interactive, and shareable event experience that keeps golfers connected.

• Weather-proof. A virtual event eliminates the risk of cancellation, the need to reschedule, or low turnout due to inclement weather.
  
  

When is the Best Time to Host a Virtual Golf Fundraiser?

Virtual events can be held year-round, and the flexibility of a virtual format means you can align the event with your broader fundraising calendar.

Want to engage donors during the offseason? Consider a winter simulator event. Looking to build momentum before Giving Tuesday? Try a multi-day virtual tournament in early fall. Want to engage remote supporters in tandem with your annual in-person golf fundraiser? Add a hybrid virtual component.

Best Practices for Planning & Execution

A successful virtual golf event requires the right systems and structure to make it feel polished and professional, along with effective communication strategies to make it feel cohesive.

• Leverage golf-specific software. An event management platform is a must-have for an in-person golf event, and a virtual setup makes it even more important. Trying to manage a virtual tournament relying on spreadsheets or standard ticketing software is a recipe for disorganization and confusion. Golf event tech ensures a seamless experience for everyone, plus massive time savings for organizers.

• Maximize passive data capture. One of the biggest missed opportunities in any type of golf tournament is limited data collection. With paper registration forms, one team member registers, leaving you without contact information for the rest of the golfers. Online registration eliminates this hurdle, capturing email addresses for every participant so you can build a stronger donor database and improve marketing and fundraising efforts.

• Negotiate partnerships with golf facilities. In areas where your organization has a strong donor presence, you might work with a handful of golf facilities to negotiate discounted rates and fees for tournament participants. These “preferred virtual courses” benefit from more players, more food and beverage sales, and more exposure to guests. What’s more, having standardized courses can offer better consistency in scoring (though it’s not necessary).

• Outline clear rules. Clarity is everything in a virtual setting. Without it, confusion and disputes can derail your event. To keep things running smoothly, define and communicate the following at the outset of the tournament:

  • Tournament format, whether it’s a four-person scramble, individual stroke play, two-man best ball, etc.

  • Scoring. Explain how scores are to be submitted, what app needs to be downloaded and used, and where participants can access the leaderboards. The mobile app should integrate into your golf event management platform.

  • Equipment/technology requirements. If yours is a golf simulator event, specify the necessary golf simulator requirements to participate.

  • Eligible facilities. Outline the requirements of the facility, such as the course’s par, slope rating, number of holes, etc., to help level the playing field. If you are working with preferred courses or a specific simulator franchise, be sure to

  • Timeframe. Set the start and end dates/times for the virtual tournament.

  • Code of conduct. Make expectations for sportsmanship and fair play as clear as possible.

It’s important to explain to virtual golf event participants how scores will be submitted and where they can access the leaderboards.

Creative Ideas to Maximize Virtual Golf Engagement & Revenue

One challenge of virtual tournaments is keeping participants engaged from afar. Creating shared experiences can keep golfers connected and even boost revenue.

• Sell digital add-ons. Digital add-ons are low or no-cost to your tournament. These might include virtual mulligans, an online silent auction, entries into virtual on-course games, or a virtual raffle drawing.

• Solicit themed donations. Boost fundraising by setting up themed donation tiers. Get creative and offer fun donation options like "Bogey Insurance" or "Take a Virtual Shot."

• Drive social media interaction. Encourage participants to share their experience and keep everyone feeling connected with user-generated content. This could include a branded event hashtag, trick shot video contests, or photo challenges from each golf course.

• Involve club pros or other special guests. Invite the golf pro at a local golf club, a local celebrity, or even a well-known supporter to record a welcome video or motivational message that’s shared on the tournament website or sent directly to golfers. This personal touch adds credibility and builds excitement for your event.

• Host virtual opening and/or closing ceremonies. Create bookends for your tournament with live virtual events. Open the event with a welcome message, sponsor recognition, and an event overview. Wrap up the tournament by announcing winners, drawing raffle prizes, and publicly thanking sponsors, volunteers, and golfers.
  

How to Sell and Fulfill Digital Sponsorships

Sponsorships are a major driver of revenue, even for virtual formats. The key is translating on-course visibility into digital exposure. Here are some ideas:

• Use an event website. Digital sponsorships start with your golf tournament website, where you can list packages, sell sponsorships, and onboard sponsors in one place. Logo placements throughout the platform offer broad digital exposure every time someone visits the site to register or make a donation.

• Digital leaderboard naming rights. Offer a title sponsorship for your virtual event’s live leaderboard. To provide maximum exposure, include the sponsor’s name: The [Sponsor] Live Leaderboard or the Live Leaderboard Presented by [Sponsor].

• Push-notification sponsorships. Sell the ability to send push notifications through your live scoring app to all golfers during their round. Messages could include promotions for their business, simple sponsor recognition (“The back nine is sponsored by [Sponsor]), or even calls-to-action to donate on your event website.

• Virtual hole sponsorships. Use your live scoring app’s hole-by-hole scorecard to assign sponsor logos and boost visibility. Highlight virtual hole sponsors further through email blasts, social media posts, and in-app messages.

• Create a digital swag bag. Replace the traditional golfer gifts with a digital version that doesn’t require shipping. It could include valuable gifts like promo codes, discounts, and special offers from sponsors or other partners. Deliver it via email to golfers, giving sponsors direct access to your audience.

Anyone, anywhere should be able to access the event’s virtual live leaderboards on your event website.

Wrapping Up

A well-executed virtual golf fundraiser can be just as impactful as a traditional golf event, or even more. With low costs, flexibility, and a broad reach, a virtual golf tournament is an opportunity to expand your audience while increasing your fundraising potential.

The key? Using golf-specific event management software lays the foundation for a successful virtual event, keeping your planning team organized and on the same page, providing a home base for decentralized participants, and offering digital sponsor exposure.

Pairing a strong event strategy with the right technology, setting clear expectations, and building engaging digital experiences will help you run a seamless virtual golf tournament fundraiser that delivers real results.

Start Planning a Virtual Golf Tournament With GolfStatus!

Click to Get Started at No Upfront Cost

About the Author

Jen Wemhoff accidentally discovered her passion for nonprofits in college. An internship while earning a degree in Communications from Doane University led to a 20 year career in the nonprofit sector, where she found a strong desire to be part of something bigger than herself. Her vast nonprofit experience includes roles in marketing, fundraising, and direct programming. When Jen came to GolfStatus as Communications Manager in 2020, she was struck by the power of the sport to raise money to power nonprofit missions. She tells GolfStatus’s story across platforms and channels and develops educational tools and resources to help nonprofits tap into golf’s giving power. Jen, her husband, and two daughters call Lincoln, Nebraska home.

At six months out, your charity golf tournament should be moving from planning mode into action mode. The foundation is set, with your date, golf facility, and core structure in place, so now it’s time to build momentum.

Six months out from your golf event is the time to build momentum for recruiting teams, selling sponsorships, and promoting the tournament.

Things now start to get real—sponsor outreach begins, registration picks up, and your marketing efforts take shape. The work you put in during this phase will impact how quickly your field fills and how much sponsor revenue you generate going into the final stretch.

This installment of the blog series will walk you through the key tasks to focus on six months before tournament day to stay organized, be proactive in planning, and stay on pace for a great tournament.

Previous Posts in This Series:

9 Months to Tee Off

It’s important to note that while having more time to plan is usually better, it’s possible to plan a successful golf tournament in a matter of a couple of months.

Download a Checklist & Planning Timeline

Stay on task and on target from start to finish

Pre-Planning & Reference

Staying organized keeps you, your team, and your tournament on track. If you haven’t already:

• Get a GolfStatus demo. GolfStatus is the industry’s leading platform for charity golf tournaments and fundraisers. Find out how to save 40+ hours and raise thousands more dollars!

• Get a GolfStatus Education Session. Once you’re on board with GolfStatus, our client success team will walk you through the software’s backend.

• Watch a GolfStatus webinar. GolfStatus holds free monthly webinars on topics like sponsorships, planning basics, logistics, marketing, and more. Browse upcoming webinars.

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Planning Team & Committee Meetings

Your committee should be in place and ready to get to work! It’s a good idea to set dates for your monthly committee meetings at the outset of planning so everyone can get them on their calendars with no surprises.

• Hold monthly committee meetings. Brainstorm a prospect list of potential sponsors and sponsor packages, review the budget, and talk through ideas for player gifts, revenue enhancers, contests, and raffle items.

It’s a good idea to set dates for monthly planning committee meetings on the calendar at the outset of planning.

Date & Golf Facility

Now that you have your date booked and golf facility secured, you’ll want to stay in regular communication with golf facility staff.

• Share access to GolfStatus’ backend. There’s no cost to grant staff at the golf facility access to your GolfStatus tournament management platform’s backend. They’ll be able to see golfer and field information at a glance, in real-time, so they can plan appropriately for staffing and carts.

• Periodically touch base with facility staff. Golf staff are busy, so there’s no need to stay in constant communication with them, but it’s not a bad idea to send a periodic check-in email to keep your event top of mind.
  

Event Website

You’ll see the benefits of your event website come to fruition as you promote your tournament and start to see teams and sponsor registrations roll in. You’ll see immediate time-saving benefits, without the need to manually process forms, checks, and receipts.

• Make event website updates as needed. Check in on your website every so often and make updates as needed. For instance, you might add new photos from last year’s tournament, list raffle prizes as donations are made, and announce contests or challenges as they’re added to your tournament.

Keep your event website updated! Add or edit information as details take shape.

Team & Sponsor Packages

Building attractive golfer and sponsor packages is the first step to filling your tournament’s field.

• Create a prospect list for each sponsorship. Brainstorm prospective sponsors with your planning team and identify where people might have connections to each business.

• Create talking points or a sponsor pitch template. Empower your planning committee to successfully reach out to sponsors by creating talking points, email templates, or a pitch deck template. This ensures consistent messaging and gives your team the confidence to connect with sponsors.

• Follow up with past sponsors (if applicable). If you haven’t heard back from past sponsors, follow up with them on the first right of refusal for their current sponsorship before you start reaching out to other businesses.

• Begin sponsor outreach. It’s go time! Once your talking points or templates are ready, divide your prospect list and set your team loose!

• Add custom packages as needed. As you reach out to sponsors, ask them what their goals are for sponsoring your event, and don’t be afraid to create custom packages or modify existing packages as needed to help them get the most out of their investment in your tournament.
  

Marketing & Promotion

The marketing and promotion phase of your tournament should be starting to ramp up. Build some early momentum for your tournament by being strategic with your marketing plans.

• Create or update your tournament logo. Create a tournament logo that’s reflective of the event and your cause. If you’re starting from scratch, free online tools like Canva make it simple to create an eye-catching logo without design experience. The logo should unify your tournament’s brand and be used wherever the tournament is mentioned.

• Create or update your tournament flyer. A flyer, whether it’s printed or shared electronically, is a great tool to promote your tournament to your audience. Need help getting started? Download these free flyer templates.

• Announce that registration is open. Send a quick email to your audience and share on social media that registration is open for your tournament. Be sure to include the link to your event website so folks can browse packages and register right away.

• Refine your promotional strategy as needed. Update and further refine your promo plan as details come into focus and advertising budgets are set, if applicable.

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Golf Tournament marketing Resources

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Details & Logistics

Once again, most of the logistics will be handled in a few months. Make sure to update the loose schedule on the event website as details firm up.

What’s Next?

At six months out, your tournament should start gaining traction as you actively sell sponsorships, recruit teams, raise awareness, and drive donations to your tournament. The more consistent and intentional your outreach and promotion are now, the less pressure you’ll feel in the final months leading up to your event. You can do that by keeping your committee engaged and staying in front of your audience as details come together.

Up next, we’ll cover what to prioritize as you get even closer to tournament day, when logistics and promotion become priorities.

Save Time. Raise More Money.

Get Started With GolfStatus at No Upfront Cost

by Andrew Herbert, CMO / Professional Golf Entertainer & Fundraiser at Charity Golf International

Planning a charity golf event can get overwhelming fast—especially when you’re trying to set fundraising goals that are ambitious, but achievable. Ensuring your goals are realistic and pricing teams and sponsorships accordingly sets your tournament up for success from the get-go.

Andrew Herbert, far right, provides professional on-course entertainment and fundraising at a charity golf tournament.

The best approach to setting your tournament’s fundraising goals is simple: start with your baseline information and costs, then layer in proven revenue multipliers that increase giving without slowing play or creating donor fatigue. Here are five strategies to help you set realistic fundraising goals—and actually reach them.

1. Start with the baseline: player count + entry fee

It’s important to start with the basics. The most reliable place to start is to determine:

• How many golfers you’ll have

• What each golfer pays to play

So if you’re expecting a full field of 144 golfers for an 18-hole event, the entry fee for a foursome to play is $1,000, and the facility cost per foursome is $600 ($150 per golfer), you can realistically set a goal of $14,400 from golfer entries.

• 144 golfers / 36 teams X $1,000 entry fee per team = $36,000

• 144 golfers / 36 teams X $600 facility cost per team = $21,600

• Net of $400 per team X 36 teams = $14,400

It’s important to remember that higher entry-fee events typically have an audience that’s already bought into the mission, meaning they’re more inclined to give on the course, too.

2. Add Revenue Multipliers That Reliably Increase Giving

Once you’ve established your baseline, you can multiply your revenue by:

Adding Professional On-course Contests + Entertainment

When contests are professionally run and fun, giving feels natural rather than forced. Always keep the on-course donation requests to no more than three (two is the sweet spot), as doing more will create “donor fatigue” with your guests. It’s important to note that this does NOT include the games you host on your own that are included with event registration.

Accepting Credit Cards

Events that make donating or purchasing upsells easy tend to raise significantly more. Cash-only giving leaves money on the table and can complicate post-tournament accounting.

Choosing the Right Venue + Day

The right golf facility and tournament timing can influence turnout, sponsor interest, and overall spend. Consider your audience and networks when choosing the host golf facility, date, and day of the week.

Male and female long-drive professionals from Charity Golf International can help boost on-course fundraising and guest satisfaction.

3. Use Resources to Help Set Goals You Can Justify to Your Board & Sponsors

Your organization’s board is likely looking for tournament goals that are as close to reality as possible. Those goals also help you set appropriate pricing for sponsorship packages.

Instead of blindly guessing, use your baseline information in a planning tool to provide models for:

• Conservative outcomes

• Realistic outcomes

• Stretch outcomes

Charity Golf International has developed a golf tournament donation calculator to help tournament organizers map out goals and the path to get there. Input your baseline information to get an estimate on outcomes.

A Practical Goal-Setting Framework

Use this practical framework to help you set your goals and targets.

• Conservative: Entry-fee revenue + ~50% more from on-course + raffle/auction

  • Example: $14,400 + $7,200 (50%) = $14,400

• Realistic: Entry-fee revenue + ~75–100% more

  • Example: $14,400 + $12,240 (80%) = $26,640

• Stretch: Entry-fee revenue + 125%+ more with strong execution

  • Example: $14,400 + $18,000 (125%) = $32,400

Using a golf event management tool like GolfStatus supports this effort, making it easier to create targets, track progress, and meet your tournament’s goals.

4. Think Beyond One Year

The strongest events build momentum. When you retain golfers and sponsors year over year, fundraising becomes easier—and grows faster. As you set your targets for this year, think about how they will impact future golf events’ potential revenue.

Selling a sponsorship for long-drive entertainers is another way to help drive additional revenue from your golf event.

Maximize Fundraising With Charity Golf International & GolfStatus

CGI isn’t just “another contest vendor.” We help golf events increase revenue and maximize your fundraising goals by delivering:

• Professional-led Par 3 + Par 5 experiences that create high-energy giving moments

• Smoother operations, with less burden on volunteers and planning committees

• A premium guest experience that supports bigger donations

• Zero upfront cost to the charity (CGI is performance-based)
  

Why GolfStatus Matters for Your Goal

GolfStatus helps event organizers run a tighter tournament—from registration to sponsor management—so the fundraising plan you set is actually executable. In other words:

• Better organization = better sponsor experience

• Better sponsor experience = more renewals + higher dollars

• Smoother logistics = more time/attention on fundraising moments

If your goal is to raise more without adding chaos or gimmicks, CGI can help. Get in touch to find out more about CGI.

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Book a Meeting with GolfStatus

Get started with GolfStatus’ golf tournament management software at no upfront cost!

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

Advertising is an area where you can truly see your tournament grow and scale. It can be the difference between a half-empty field and a sold-out, high-energy event that attracts both golfers and sponsors and raises significant funds for your organization.

Effective golf tournament advertising can help your golf fundraiser grow, scale, and boost revenue.

A robust golf tournament advertising strategy ensures your event doesn’t just happen—it thrives. This guide breaks down the basics with FAQs about golf tournament advertising, a step-by-step outline, and a sample campaign plan to help you fill your tournament and secure high-value sponsorships.

Table of Contents

• Golf Tournament Advertising FAQs

• How to Create a Golf Tournament Advertising Campaign

• Example Golf Tournament Advertising Campaign Plan

• Golf Tournament Advertising Best Practices

Golf Tournament Advertising FAQs

What is Golf Tournament Advertising?

At its core, golf tournament advertising is the strategic promotion of your event across digital, print, and community channels. Its goal is to attract golfers, sell out teams, and secure sponsors to fund the event.

Why is Golf Tournament Advertising Important?

Advertising ensures a full field for your charity golf tournament, which is a key part of covering golf facility costs and reaching fundraising goals. Strong visibility also demonstrates to sponsors that their brand will get exposure to a large, engaged audience. In short, consistent promotion elevates your tournament from a simple round of golf to a highly anticipated, must-attend event in your community.

What are the Best Golf Tournament Advertising Ideas?

You have a lot of choices when it comes to advertising your golf event, but here are some of the top ideas that are cost-effective and provide solid results:

• Use a dedicated golf tournament website where you can direct all advertising. It should offer online registration through a frictionless process.

• Run geo-targeted social media ads on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to target prospective golfers and sponsors in your area.

• Execute a phased email marketing campaign to hit participants with appropriate messaging at various stages of planning, such as Save the Date → Early Bird → Last Chance.

• Partner with the host golf facility to post tournament flyers in their pro shop or clubhouse, list the event on their website, or, if possible, on cart GPS screens.

• Provide promo kits to sponsors, board, and committee members so they can easily advertise the event to their own networks. Include logos, graphics, and canned social media and email verbiage to make it as simple as possible.

When using print materials, be sure to include a QR code that links to your golf tournament website.

When Should We Start Promoting a Charity Golf Tournament?

A good rule of thumb is to start reaching out to sponsors four to six months out from tournament day, though it’s never too early to start. Your public promotion will ramp up in the final months and weeks leading up to the tournament.

How to Create a Golf Tournament Advertising Campaign

1. Define Your Campaign Goals and Target Audience

Start by identifying who you want to reach. Are you trying to fill the last 20 player spots with local golfers, or are you targeting corporate executives for high-ticket sponsorships? Set concrete goals for golfer registrations, sponsorships, and marketing success.

2. Launch a Centralized Event Website

Before you send a single promotional email or print a flyer, you need a mobile-friendly event website. Prospective golfers or sponsors should never have to download a PDF or mail a check to register for your tournament, so make sure your site is live before advertising begins.

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Get a Free Golf Tournament Website

Launch a professional, branded event website in minutes with GolfStatus. The website acts as your campaign hub, automating golfer registrations, donations, and sponsorships online 24/7.

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3. Define and Package Your Inventory

Your inventory is golfer or team registrations and sponsorship packages. Conduct an audit and ensure it includes a mix of physical assets (pin flags, hole signage) and high-margin digital assets (live leaderboard or mobile app branding and push notifications).

Package ideas include:

• Technology Sponsorship

• Pin Flag Sponsorship

• Hole-In-One Contest Sponsorship

• Elevated Hole Sponsorships

• Individual Golfer Registration

• Team Registration (Twosome or foursome)

• Add-On Packages (raffle tickets, mulligans, on-course games, etc.)

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Pro Tip:

List all team and sponsorship packages on your GolfStatus event website so interested golfers and businesses can browse packages, see each option’s benefits, and commit on the spot. The software’s back end makes it simple to track registrants, sold sponsorships, and payments in one place.

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4. Map Out an Omnichannel Promotion Strategy

Plan a coordinated approach across multiple channels to reach the widest audience possible. Use generative AI to quickly write copy for channels like social media ads, email campaigns, short-form video (like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts), and text message marketing. Encourage peer-to-peer promotion by giving supporters branded assets to share, and include testimonials from previous fundraising events or past golf tournaments to further strengthen your appeals.

Remember: All channels should include a CTA (call to action) that directs people to your event website, even print pieces. Use a QR code that links to the website so people can register from their phones.

5. Maximize Digital Real Estate

In your advertising, highlight opportunities that provide multi-touchpoint visibility before, during, and after the tournament. Digital placements are a great option to attract sponsor interest and offer engagement beyond the day of the tournament.

GolfStatus’ exclusive Technology Sponsorship embeds the sponsor’s brand across the platform, giving them premium exposure on the event website, live leaderboards, live scoring mobile app, and more. These placements don’t come with overhead costs, which means more profit for your organization.

Digital exposure with multiple touchpoints, like that provided by GolfStatus’ Technology Sponsorship, offers sponsors broad visibility.

Example Golf Tournament Advertising Campaign Plan

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Ready to Launch Your Tournament With GolfStatus?

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Golf Tournament Advertising Best Practices

From optimizing your sponsorship packages to unique options for spreading the word, these best practices will help you make the most out of your advertising efforts.

• Be specific in your sponsorship listings. When adding sponsorship packages to your events website, be specific. Include identifying names, such as “Hole-In-One Contest Sponsor," "Beverage Cart Sponsor," or "Leaderboard Sponsor," and include details about the accompanying sponsorship benefits. This helps businesses justify the spend and understand the ROI of their support.

• Integrate physical and digital assets. When leveraging physical assets, like flyers, postcards, or signage, use a QR code that links to your event website. This helps you track registrations from non-digital sources.

• Work with local media. Send press releases to local newspapers, community magazines, and local radio and television stations. If your tournament benefits a local charity, media outlets may be willing to provide discounted or free ad space. You might also utilize online community calendars or events listings.

• Engage with micro-influencers. Hyper-local influencers can often have a larger impact than a more well-known A-lister. Connect with local influencers to spread the word about your event.

• Empower your planning team. Turn your planning committee and board members into an active sales team. Similar to peer-to-peer campaigns, you might create a friendly competition to see who can recruit the most sponsors or golfers or get the most engagement on posts by leveraging their personal and professional networks.
  

Wrapping Up

Golf tournament advertising takes some trial and error to find the right tactics and strategies that work for your supporter base. Test different options, measure your results, and lean into messaging and channels that resonate with your audience. By putting in the marketing work, you’ll cast a wide net to secure registrations, sell sponsorships, and ensure your tournament is the one that everyone wants to be part of.

Make sure you have the right golf management tech in place to streamline planning, management, and execution for a memorable experience. GolfStatus’ software, combined with industry-leading support and exclusive Fundraising Enhancers, can make your tournament better than ever. Click below to book a meeting with the GolfStatus team to get started at no upfront cost.

Offer Better Sponsorships & Raise More Money With GolfStatus

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About the Author

Jen Wemhoff accidentally discovered her passion for nonprofits in college. An internship while earning a degree in Communications from Doane University led to a 20 year career in the nonprofit sector, where she found a strong desire to be part of something bigger than herself. Her vast nonprofit experience includes roles in marketing, fundraising, and direct programming. When Jen came to GolfStatus as Communications Manager in 2020, she was struck by the power of the sport to raise money to power nonprofit missions. She tells GolfStatus’s story across platforms and channels and develops educational tools and resources to help nonprofits tap into golf’s giving power. Jen, her husband, and two daughters call Lincoln, Nebraska home.

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

At its core, nonprofit fundraising boils down to two essential goals: attracting new donors and retaining existing ones. Both are critical to a nonprofit’s long-term success, and both require thoughtful strategy, consistent stewardship, and meaningful engagement.

Charity golf tournaments are uniquely positioned to support both of these goals. When executed well, a golf fundraiser does more than raise money for a single day. It also:

• Introduces your mission to new audiences

• Deepens relationships with current supporters

• Creates an experience that donors want to return to year after year

Here’s how nonprofits can use golf fundraisers to grow their donor base and build lasting loyalty.

Why New Donors Matter for Nonprofits

New donors are the fuel that keeps your mission moving forward. Just as for-profit businesses must attract new customers or clients to grow, nonprofits must consistently introduce new supporters to their cause, programs, and impact.

Some level of donor attrition is inevitable, but without a steady stream of new donors to replace those who lapse, your support base shrinks, fundraising becomes more challenging, and growth stalls. Charity golf tournaments help solve this challenge by combining fundraising with raising awareness and building relationships into one highly social event.

Why Donor Retention Is Just as Important

Yes, acquiring new donors is essential. But retaining them is often even more impactful. Returning donors already believe in your mission and understand your work. They’re more likely to give again, give generously over time, and become long-term advocates for your organization. 

Retention is also far more cost-effective than finding new donors. The time, energy, and resources to acquire a new donor typically far exceed what it takes to steward an existing one. In fact, high donor attrition can undo months or years of relationship-building, making retention strategies critical to sustained growth and success.

How Golf Tournaments Attract & Retain Donors

Golf fundraisers meet supporters where they already are—on the course. Unlike many traditional nonprofit fundraising events, golf tournaments center on an activity that past and prospective donors genuinely enjoy, creating natural opportunities for conversation and connection.

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Start Planning a Golf Tournament With GolfStatus!

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Here’s why charity golf tournaments are so effective at helping nonprofits onboard and retain donors of all levels:

1. People Want to Play Golf

Golf has seen a sustained surge in popularity, with more than 500 million rounds played in each of the last six years (which is up 21% than the previous five-year average). That continued interest means a large and engaged pool of potential tournament participants—and potential donors.

Many golfers actively seek out tournaments to play in simply because they love the game. And it’s not just the die-hard golfers; more new and casual players than ever are getting involved in the game and are eager to play in tournaments. When your fundraiser is built around an activity people are excited to do, participation feels less like an obligation and more like a reward—making supporters more likely to return year after year.

Golf tournaments engage current and new donors through an activity they enjoy.

2. Players Expand Your Reach by Building Teams

While golf is an individual sport, charity tournaments are typically played as scrambles. That means participants must form teams, often by tapping into their personal and professional networks.

Here’s how that works to benefit your nonprofit: One supporter registers and brings along three others to field a team who are unfamiliar with your organization. By the end of the tournament, those new players will know about your mission and impact firsthand. This built-in network effect creates a snowball effect to multiply your reach and organically grow your donor community.

3. Golf Attracts a High-Value Demographic

Golfers tend to represent a demographic with a higher-than-average household income and net worth. Many are between the ages of 25 and 55 (an age bracket with strong earning power), and a significant percentage hold leadership or management roles, own their own business, and own real estate.

These characteristics make golf tournaments especially attractive for nonprofits seeking to connect with potential high-capacity donors and corporate sponsors and for businesses looking for exposure to an affluent audience. It’s an audience that aligns well with both fundraising goals and sponsorship opportunities.

Golf tournaments are often an important networking opportunity for your nonprofit, sponsors, and partners.

4. Tournaments Create Meaningful Networking Opportunities

For many participants, charity golf tournaments double as professional networking events. Five+ hours on the course provide uninterrupted time to build relationships, entertain clients, and strengthen business connections.

This dynamic can bring new, well-connected individuals to your event when they’re invited to fill a team. And since it’s centered around golf, people who may not otherwise attend a traditional fundraiser are more eager to participate. When paired with thoughtful stewardship, these relationships have the potential to evolve into long-term donor or sponsor partnerships.

5. You Can Re-engage Lapsed Donors

A golf fundraiser can also serve as a powerful re-engagement tool. Past supporters who haven’t given recently, whether they skipped a year-end appeal or drifted away after a previous event, may be more receptive to an invitation to play golf than to a direct donation ask.

Your golf event offers a low-pressure way to reconnect through a shared experience and activity they enjoy. It opens the door to new conversations, the opportunity to steward the relationship, and provides a natural setting to reintroduce your mission, programs, and impact.

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Free Guide:

Attracting & Retaining Donors With Your Golf Fundraiser

Looking for more strategies to grow your donor base from your golf event? This free guide discusses the golfer donor and how to convert, activate, and retain them.

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Capture Donor Data to Take the Next Step

To fully realize the donor growth potential of your golf fundraiser, you need more than just a great event—you also need accurate, accessible donor data.

Knowing who participated, who sponsored, who donated, and who was introduced to your organization through the golf event allows you to effectively follow up and steward relationships beyond tournament day. How do you start? Simply by capturing participant information at registration and integrating it into your donor database.

Collecting information at registration is an important step in stewarding golfers post-tournament.

Technology plays a key role here. Online registration through a golf-specific event management platform saves staff time, reduces manual work, and ensures real-time data collection. A professional event website with intuitive registration makes it easy to gather complete information for each player and sponsor. The result is less administrative burden on your team and better data to support future fundraising events.

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GolfStatus: A Smarter Way to Run Your Charity Golf Tournament

Built specifically for golf fundraisers, GolfStatus helps organizers streamline planning, capture valuable donor data, and deliver a seamless, professional experience for players and sponsors alike. Whether you’re launching a first-year tournament or looking to modernize an existing event, the right tools can make it easier to attract new donors, steward existing supporters, and execute a fundraiser that grows every year.

Click below to book a meeting with GolfStatus—get a free event website and access to its golf event management tech at no upfront cost.

Ready to Simplify Your Golf Fundraiser & Maximize Its Impact?

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by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

On-course contests are where charity golf tournaments can come alive. A simple, engaging, and profitable option is a putting contest. With minimal setup, low overhead, and high participation potential, a well-run putting contest can generate meaningful dollars while giving golfers something extra to look forward to on tournament day.

Whether you’re looking to boost revenue, attract sponsors, or create a memorable moment that brings everyone together, a putting contest checks all the boxes. Let’s break down the most common questions, popular formats, and proven best practices to help you host a putting contest that's easy to manage and hard to forget.

Table of Contents

• Golf Putting Contest FAQs

• How to Host a Golf Putting Contest

Golf Putting Contest FAQs

What is a Golf Putting Contest?

A golf putting contest is a standalone on-course game held during a golf event such as a charity scramble, corporate outing, or club championship. It’s often held on the golf facility’s practice green and takes place before the shotgun start, during the tournament when teams play a hole near the practice green, or post-round as part of the awards ceremony.

Unlike the larger tournament, where total score matters, a putting contest tests golfers' short-game skills. Golfers pay an entry fee to participate in the contest and attempt to make a long-range putt or series of putts. Some tournaments hold contest rounds, with successful putts advancing to the next round to compete for cash or other high-value prizes.

Why Should We Host a Golf Putting Contest?

Putting contests have the potential to drive significant revenue from your charity golf tournament. Why? There are low to no overhead costs (golfers bring their own putters, and the golf facility provides the hole and golf balls, and you can source donated prizes), and entry fees drive fundraising. What’s more, a putting contest is a prime sponsorship opportunity, much like hole-in-one contests. The practice green is a high-traffic, high-value exposure point, boosting the value of a contest sponsorship.

A putting contest can also break up a long day on the course. A high-stakes contest finale held before dinner, awards, or auction draws a crowd, creating an electric atmosphere and a shared highlight that attendees talk about until next year's event.

What are Popular Golf Putting Contest Formats?

Guaranteed Prize

• How it works: All participants line up at a pre-determined distance, perhaps 10 feet. Those who make it move back to another distance, like 20 feet, then 30 feet, etc., continuing until only the winner remains.

• Pros: This format guarantees a winner and a prize awarded right then and there. It also has a very low barrier to entry for golfers and is fairly simple to run.

• Cons: This type of contest can take 15–20 minutes to complete, so it must be scheduled carefully to not interfere with the rest of the tournament.

Cash Prize

• How it works: A qualifying round is held to determine one finalist. That finalist gets one single attempt from 50+ feet (often 60 feet) for a large cash prize.

• Pros: Offering a significant cash prize can draw in large crowds and more participants.

• Cons: Insurance is a must, and it can take a while to process the claim.

Other Variations

• Putt a prize. Various prizes are placed on the practice green, and golfers win the prize if their putt hits it or stops within a certain distance.

• “Pig” or “Golf”. Similar to the basketball game, where one player sets up a putt and makes it, and others must replicate the putt or get a letter.

• Team relay. Team members must sink a putt from certain distances (such as five feet, 10 feet, 20 feet, etc.) in succession. The team with the fastest time wins.
  

What Else Should I Know About Golf Putting Contests?

• If you’re interested in offering cash or non-donated prizes, you might consider putting contest insurance, which comes with a cost. A more cost-effective option is to secure donated prizes from sponsors, local businesses, or partners.

• Use your golf tournament website to sell entry into the putting contest. You can sell entry as a standalone item or bundle it with other tournament add-ons, like raffle tickets or mulligans. Sell entry ahead of the event, as well as at check-in, to maximize participation.

• Publicize the contest on your event website and in promotional campaigns. Highlight prizes, how much it costs to enter, and when the contest will take place. Be sure to give a shoutout to the contest sponsor when applicable.

How to Host a Golf Putting Contest

1. Choose the Right Format

Step one is to decide if the primary goal of a putting contest is high-margin fundraising or high-energy entertainment. If you need to raise money without any overhead, a guaranteed prize is a good option. If you want to make a big splash, an insured $10,000 contest might be the better choice.

2. Secure the Location & Schedule

Putting contests are most commonly held on the practice green before the start of the golf tournament. If there are multiple practice greens, choose the one closest to the clubhouse or outdoor bar. The easier it is for spectators to grab a drink or a bite to eat and watch, the larger your crowd (and the higher the energy) will be.

If you have the contest on the practice green during the round or at the turn, there’s a risk of creating a bottleneck. Choose a rapid-fire format to prevent backing up the entire tournament. You might also consider hosting finals at the end of the day for a climactic finale to the event.

3. Lock Down Logistics

If you’re utilizing putting contest insurance, you’ll likely have to abide by various requirements, which might include:

• Exact putt length. You’ll be required to measure the putt’s distance to the exact inch using a surveyor’s tape.

• Contest witness. You’ll need to train a witness—either a volunteer, staff member, or planning team member—to watch all of the putts to ensure all of the rules were followed. For high-value prizes, you might need to submit video footage of the putts for verification.

• Standardized equipment. You may need to provide the golf balls and even the golf clubs for the contest.

You’ll also need to determine other contest logistics, such as:

• Entry fee

• Prizes

• Format

• Registration forms

• Plan for crowd control and spectators

• Contest emcee
  

4. Price It Right

• Sell contest entries on your tournament website. This keeps all tournament funds in one place to simplify post-event accounting and eliminates the need to pay with cash for day-of entries.

• It’s a good idea to bundle the putting contest with other add-ons to boost revenue. A combined ticket that includes contest entry with add-ons like on-course games, mulligans, or raffle tickets creates a higher perceived value that can drastically increase participation rates. You might also give golfers the opportunity to buy a second or third qualifying attempt for half the price.

• Sell the Putting Contest Sponsorship as an opportunity for the sponsor to set up a tent, have hole signage, hand out swag, and personally interact with every golfer.
  

5. Create a Fun Atmosphere

The right emcee and commentary transform the putting contest into a spectator sport. Enlist a volunteer to serve as the contest emcee. Provide a microphone (check with the golf facility) to announce finalists, crack jokes, and build excitement.

Since making a 50-foot putt is a rarity, it’s a good idea to have a backup activity to keep the mood high. That way, if the finalist misses, you can pivot to a "Closest to the Pin" chip-off or a raffle draw for a smaller prize or gift so the event ends on a high note.

6. Follow Up After the Contest

• While the contest and excitement are still fresh, announce the winner (if applicable) at the awards ceremony or dinner. Play a video of the winning putt on a projector to engage those who may have missed it.

• Ensure the sponsor is front and center for the check presentation or to award the prize. Even if the big cash prize wasn't won, a photo of the finalist and the sponsor shaking hands is valuable content to use to promote next year’s event.

• Send a "thank you" text or email to contest participants or the entire field with a link to next year's early-bird registration, building on the excitement from the contest.

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Final Thoughts

A golf putting contest is a high-impact add-on for your next golf tournament. It’s flexible, cost-effective, sponsor-friendly, and when done right, creates a buzz that carries through to marketing next year’s tournament. By choosing the right format, handling the necessary logistics, pricing entries strategically, and leaning into the entertainment value, you can turn the contest into a major fundraising and engagement win.

If you’re ready to put these ideas into action, the next step is simplifying how you manage your contest—and your golf tournament as a whole. Using a purpose-built golf tournament management platform like GolfStatus makes it easy to sell entries online, bundle add-ons, track participation, and keep everything organized in one place—so you can focus on creating an exciting experience.

Make Your Next Golf Event a Swinging Success!

Book a Meeting With GolfStatus to Get Started

About the Author

Jen Wemhoff - Communications Manager at GolfStatus

Jen Wemhoff accidentally discovered her passion for nonprofits in college. An internship while earning a degree in Communications from Doane University led to a 20 year career in the nonprofit sector, where she found a strong desire to be part of something bigger than herself. Her vast nonprofit experience includes roles in marketing, fundraising, and direct programming. When Jen came to GolfStatus as Communications Manager in 2020, she was struck by the power of the sport to raise money to power nonprofit missions. She tells GolfStatus’s story across platforms and channels and develops educational tools and resources to help nonprofits tap into golf’s giving power. Jen, her husband, and two daughters call Lincoln, Nebraska home.

Our PGA Q&A blog series leverages the knowledge, experience, and expertise of GolfStatus’ in-house PGA Professionals: Cash Dinkel, PGA and Jason Meininger, PGA. This series installment dives into two topics that play a critical role in a tournament’s success: choosing a date and tournament format.

Cash Dinkel, PGA

Jason Meininger, PGA

Q: What are some things tournament organizers should think about when choosing a time of year for an event?

Cash Dinkel: Big things are weather, daylight, and what else is happening in your community. You want a window where people can actually commit, the course is in good shape, and you’re not fighting holidays, school schedules, or peak vacation weeks. And if you’re trying to maximize sponsorships and attendance, avoid dates where every other nonprofit in town is doing the same thing.

Jason Meininger: I would avoid holidays, like the Fourth of July and Labor Day. I would also probably stay away from the warmest month in your area (July is usually the warmest month where we are in Nebraska) to avoid the heat, unless you play early in the day.

Q: How about choosing a day of the week?

Cash Dinkel: It really comes down to your audience. If it’s corporate-heavy, weekdays are usually easier because people can justify it as a work/networking event. If it’s more community/family-driven, Fridays and weekends can work, but weekends are harder for courses and sometimes harder for golfers who already have plans. Price and course availability are also factors. Weekends are premium times for the courses, which could lead to a higher per-player cost. Private courses may only be available on Mondays, when they are typically closed to their members.

Jason Meininger: In my opinion, it really boils down to cost. It’s more than likely going to be cheaper to have your event on a weekday versus a weekend.

Tournament organizers should consider their audience, price, and course availability when choosing a date for their golf event.

Q: What’s your favorite day of the week to play in a charity golf tournament?

Cash Dinkel: I personally love a Friday or Monday event. It’s an easy excuse to take a long three-day weekend, and then it doesn’t typically interfere with any weekend plans or activities that my family may have.

Jason Meininger: I prefer a Friday afternoon tournament, if the course allows it. That way, golfers can work a half day before leaving to play in the event.

Q: What was your favorite day of the week to hold an outside outing at your golf facility?

Cash Dinkel: My favorite day to hold outside outings at my facility was Monday. Monday was perfect because we were closed for normal play, so the event wasn’t interfering with our day-to-day golfers at all. We also usually saw strong participation on Mondays, which gave the whole day a really high-end vibe. And since everyone has to work the next day, those Monday outings typically start early and wrap up earlier, too. The day moves well, keeps the pace in check, and makes sure the golfers are having fun… but not get out of hand!

Jason Meininger: When I was at golf facilities, I preferred to have them on Mondays. That was usually the slowest day of the week, so it was an opportunity for the course to generate additional revenue.

Q: What are generally some of the busiest times of year at a golf facility?

Jason Meininger: Specifically in northern states, you’ll see things start to pick up in April and go through October to November; it’s similar in Canada. In the southern states, March to June are busy, things taper off in the hot summer months, and peak again in the fall through early to mid-December. Places like Florida, California, and Arizona see golf events year-round due to their warm climates.

Cash Dinkel: In most places, it’s late spring through early fall, basically when the weather is consistent, and the course is in really good shape. For most of the U.S., late May through September is usually the sweet spot, and then you’ll also see random spikes around holiday weekends and peak summer travel windows.

Late May through September are prime times of year for charity golf fundraisers.

Q: In your experience, what is the most popular day of the week for charity golf tournaments?

Cash Dinkel: Friday is usually the busiest for charity outings. A lot of groups like the “play golf and roll into the weekend” vibe, and it’s an easy sell for teams and sponsors.

Jason Meininger: It really varies, but I would say Friday or Saturday are the most popular, then Monday (especially at private facilities).

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Q: What are the most common tournament formats for golf fundraisers?

Cash Dinkel: The most common ones I see are a four-person scramble, shamble, and best ball/four-ball. Scrambles are the go-to because they keep the pace moving, they’re fun for every skill level, and they help you sell teams and fill a field without scaring off the casual golfers.

Jason Meininger: I would say over 90% of the events we work with at GolfStatus are a four-person scramble format. It really works well to attract casual and avid golfers.

Q: What are some other tournament formats you’ve run into?

Jason Meininger:

• Best ball: Each player on a team plays their own ball throughout the hole. After the hole is completed, the lowest score or scores are recorded for the team total.

• Individual: Each golfer plays their own ball, and each player records a score.

Cash Dinkel:

• Chapman/Pinehurst: Both players hit, swap balls, then alternate shots.

• Alternate shot: Each team has one ball, and golfers take turns taking shots. It’s definitely harder, but fun for competitive groups.

• Stableford: This format has points-based scoring and encourages aggressive play.

• Skins game: Each hole is its own prize, and ties carry over. There’s usually a cash prize for winning each hole.

• Ryder Cup-style: Teams compete across multiple formats like best ball and alternate shot.

Scrambles are a great choice for charity golf events because they appeal to golfers of all skill levels and keep play moving.

Q: What format do you typically recommend for charity golf tournaments, and why?

Jason Meininger: Hands-down, a four-person scramble. A scramble allows people of all skill levels to participate a little or a lot based on their skill level.

Cash Dinkel: By far the best option is a four-person scramble. It’s the easiest format to understand, it keeps golfers in a good mood, it helps pace of play, and it’s the best setup for fundraising add-ons like mulligans, string, throw-a-ball, and all the fun stuff that helps drive more dollars.

Q: Does live scoring work for any tournament format?

Jason Meininger: GolfStatus’ live scoring app works for about 90% of formats, including scrambles. We can create a live leaderboard for almost any format. There are a few more complicated formats that it isn’t able to live score.

Cash Dinkel: Most of the time, yes. Live scoring works great for scrambles, shambles, best ball, and even Stableford if you’ve got it set up correctly. It gets a little trickier with complex formats like Ryder Cups, member-guest, and round robin style formats, but for the typical charity event formats, it works super smoothly.

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Ask the Pros!

Do you have a question for GolfStatus’ PGA Professionals? Email it to [email protected] with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line, and it might be featured in a future blog post or an upcoming GolfStatus webinar!

Planning a golf tournament? You can get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost—get an event website, online registration, communication tools, premium digital sponsor exposure, revenue-boosting add-ons, and more, plus access to GolfStatus’ responsive in-house client success team (including knowledgeable PGA Professionals and Fundraising Specialists). Click the button to book a meeting and learn more.