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
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:
"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.
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.
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.
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.
