How Virtual Golf Fundraisers Work & What you Need to Host One
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.