Partner snapshot

The Nebraska PGA serves over 300 golf professionals in Nebraska, Western Iowa, and Southeast South Dakota. Based in Lincoln, the Nebraska Section is a resource for member golf professionals, offering services and opportunities that enhance the skills of its members and promote the overall vitality of the game. Its PGA REACH Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Section that supports local golf initiatives and charities.

The challenge

David Honnens, Executive Director for the Nebraska PGA, recognized a recurring issue at Nebraska golf facilities: the time burden that charity golf tournaments and outside events placed on PGA Pros’ time, often at the expense of other essential facility operations and member-focused activities.

These outside events, which are key to a facility’s bottom line, require staff to dedicate extensive hours to assisting tournament organizers with planning and management and internal event preparations. These events often lack streamlined communication and registration processes, leading to inconsistencies and gaps in planning, making it challenging for golf staff to gather the information needed for a successful tournament. What’s more, tournament organizers often come to golf facilities with limited golf knowledge, increasing the need for golf staff involvement and support.

A solution was needed to save Professionals time while also improving tournament organization and fundraising outcomes for the organizing charity.

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“There needed to be a way to bridge the disconnect between golf facility staff and tournament organizers and give Pros more of their time back,” says David. “A partnership with GolfStatus for charity events was the answer.”

— David Honnens, Executive Director at PGA Nebraska

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The solution

GolfStatus is built specifically for charity golf tournaments and fundraisers. Its suite of tournament management and fundraising tools streamline golf events for nonprofit event organizers and offer new opportunities to boost revenue. The software is backed by an in-house support team of Client Success Representatives that include several PGA Professionals who understand the ins and outs of successful golf events.

GolfStatus’ tournament management software saves golf facility staff 20-30 hours per event.

Cash Dinkel is a PGA Professional who spent several years as tournament director at a Denver country club and now serves as GolfStatus’ Client Success Director. “We understand the golf staff have software in place for facility operations and member events. GolfStatus isn’t trying to replace that; we’re here to make outside events and charity tournaments more efficient for golf staff,” he says.

Golf facilities that are on board with GolfStatus as part of the partnership refer charity tournaments to the GolfStatus team, who help them build an event in the software and launch an event website. The client success team provides pre-event education and coaching, suggestions for revenue-boosting tournament components, and provides access to golf staff to access pre-formatted printouts and reports and make hole assignments and team pairings.

the results

Thus far, 17 golf facilities in Nebraska have signed on with GolfStatus and referred 157 charity events. Golf professionals earn a kickback for each event referred, with nearly $8,000 paid out to pros since the start of 2024. “Golf staff are being asked to do more on a daily basis, so anything the section can do to help improve a very visible part of their business is a huge plus,” says David of working with GolfStatus. “The financial kickback is great and GolfStatus gives professionals another tool in their tool belt to elevate these events all around.”

Golfers at an outside event at Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha, Nebraska.

tiburon golf club sees success

Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha was one of the first golf facilities to sign on with GolfStatus through the PGA Nebraska partnership. A 27-hole club in Omaha, Tiburon hosts over 100 outside events per year, which means Club Professional Matt Wollom needs to find efficiencies for his team wherever possible. “Instead of getting 20 to 30 emails from the tournament organizer with updates, all the information is updated and accessible in the software’s back end,” Matt says. “It means less back and forth with them and less time and energy for my staff so they can provide great service to golfers.”

time savings across the board

David says Nebraska PGA Professionals have reported saving 20 to 30 hours per tournament by using GolfStatus, time that can be redirected toward other aspects of facility operations, income-generating activities, or member engagement. “Time is precious, and when golf professionals don’t have to spend their time doing back-office work or going back and forth with the tournament contact, it’s huge for us,” he says.

Matt says the events held at Tiburon who use GolfStatus also save time. “The tournament organizers, who don’t always know much about golf, end up having fewer planning tasks on their plate so they can go out and focus on raising money,” Matt says. “Plus, we’re not getting phone calls asking questions. GolfStatus takes care of it for us.”

GolfStatus’ Client Success Team includes PGA Professionals who understand the ins and outs of golf facility operations and golf tournaments.

Cash points out that GolfStatus’ goal in working with the Pros and the events is increased efficiency. “Event planners become more efficient because they’re not dealing with paper forms. Facility staff is more efficient because they can run reports and easily communicate with organizers,” he says. “Tournaments are easier to do and easier to maintain with GolfStatus, on both the organization and facility sides.”

better outcomes for host organizations

Events that use GolfStatus at partner golf courses have seen improved fundraising outcomes. It starts with no-cost access to the software for nonprofits. Offerings like the GolfStatus client-exclusive Technology Sponsorship, hole-in-one insurance and sponsorships, pin flag sponsorships, and exclusive donations from Dormie Network add up to thousands of additional dollars.

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“GolfStatus has everything these events need to raise money,” Matt says. “It gives them channels to raise extra money they wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.”

— Matt Wollom, Club Professional at Tiburon Golf Club

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Outside outings often come with additional components, such as luncheons, banquets, and auctions.

Tournaments often add an online auction component to drive additional revenue, which is good for both the host nonprofit and the golf facility. “We’re seeing a lot more online auctions at outside charity events, which can raise almost 200% more than a traditional auction,” David says. GolfStatus’ online auction service offers easy setup, bidding, and payment for nonprofit clients wishing to add an online auction component.

expanding the partnership to other pga sections

GolfStatus is expanding their partnership to include other PGA Sections around the country, helping boost efficiency for golf professionals and fundraising for charities. “GolfStatus speaks the language of nonprofits and charities, but also golf,” David says. “They’re an expert resource that helps golf professionals elevate every event.”

Cash says he hopes PGA Sections see GolfStatus as an asset to PGA Members and events. He says the GolfStatus team will work with each individual golf facility and pro to determine what tournament-related tasks can be taken off their plates, such as:

• Meeting with the tournament organizer as a consultant

• Helping the tournament maximize fundraising with exclusive sponsorships, tools, and partners

• Building a registration and payments event website

• Automating the creation of professional scorecards, cart signs, alpha lists, etc. so that golf staff doesn’t have to spend hours organizing data and formatting documents

An event website automates registration, saving organizers and golf staff time and effort. Registration information drops in the software's back end where it's easily accessible for real-time management.

The specialized software and support GolfStatus provides fosters growth and streamlines golf tournament management, making it easier than ever for golf facilities to host impactful charity events while saving valuable time and resources.

get in touch

If your golf facility or PGA Section is interested in learning more about how GolfStatus can serve you, book a meeting with Cash Dinkel, PGA, Client Success Director. Nonprofits can get qualified to use the software at no cost by clicking here.

As golf continues to grow in popularity, it’s becoming an essential fundraising tool for nonprofits of all sizes. Technology has made planning and managing golf events more approachable and efficient, even for those who might not be familiar with the sport. As 2024 draws to a close, we’re looking ahead at the trends and predictions for golf fundraising in 2025. Here are eight trends to watch for your 2025 golf event.

1. Partnering with sponsors will be standard

Sponsors increasingly want to be more than just logos on banners; they want meaningful engagement with your golf tournament’s participants. When pitching sponsorships to businesses, work with them to identify their goals for supporting the event and find opportunities for them to achieve the highest return on investment (ROI). That might look like branded booths and activities on tee boxes, special speaking appearances, sharing the tournament’s registration lists, or other opportunities for organic engagement. It will be important for tournament organizers to effectively collaborate with sponsors to ensure both parties meet their goals.

2. professionalism will be essential

Event attendees will expect a polished, professional experience in 2025. From your tournament website to signage, every touchpoint will matter more than ever before. High-quality, consistent event branding from the moment golfers hear about your event and register on your event site to when they receive their post-tournament thank you signal to them that the event is well-run. This professionalism can go a long way in attracting new supporters, retaining donors, impressing sponsors, and encouraging all participants to return in future years.

According to the National Golf Foundation, the female golfer population today is not only growing, it’s more diverse than ever.

3. expect more women to play in your golf event

Females now represent 26% of the golf market—a jump from 19% just a few years ago. This increase in female participation means it’s time to consider how your tournament might better appeal to women. A women’s-only flight or other women-focused offerings can help your tournament stand out, attract more lady golfers, and foster inclusivity in your event’s culture.

4. non-traditional golf events will become more popular

Another significant trend for 2025 is the increased popularity of non-traditional golf events, like mini golf tournaments, TopGolf, or indoor golf experiences. These events are especially appealing for organizations looking to add a second golf event that attracts new audiences, who want to experiment with golf fundraising on a smaller scale, or want a fundraising event with a shorter time frame than a traditional 18-hole tournament. Non-traditional events can also be more budget-friendly, making them an excellent option for organizations looking to diversify their fundraising. What’s more, indoor golf events let nonprofits connect with supporters during the cooler winter months when golf isn’t feasible.

A TopGolf golf fundraiser is an event option that can help nonprofits reach and involve new audiences.

5. golfers will want more than a round of golf

In 2025, expect golfers to crave unique, memorable experiences beyond a round of golf. Including tournament components like flights, cash prizes, on-course games or contests, raffles, or auctions make tournaments more exciting and memorable for participants. Elevated player gifts and prizes, on-course demonstrations, and live-scoring add to the overall experience that set your event apart and create lasting memories for participants.

6. hole-in-one insurance will be a must-have

A hole-in-one contest adds excitement and helps draw players to your event, but having the right insurance in place is essential so your nonprofit isn’t exposed to financial risk. Yes, the odds of a golfer getting a hole-in-one at your tournament remain low (about 12,000 to 1), but holes-in-one do happen and it’s not worth the risk to your organization. Hole-in-one insurance covers the cost of a big prize, like thousands of dollars in cash or high-end golf experience, in the rare instance that a golfer gets an ace. Offering fantastic prizes with the reassurance of insurance protection can help you confidently advertise this fun tournament add-on.

the ultimate guide to hole-in-one contests

Get the ins and outs of a successful hole in one tournament in this free guide! Download now to get comprehensive insights and actionable advice for nonprofits looking to incorporate a hole-in-one contest into their charity golf tournament.

Get the Guide

7. sponsors will want to show off their support

Sponsors in 2025 will look for opportunities to showcase their involvement with your cause, not just at the golf tournament, but also online and across their networks. Think through how you’ll work with sponsors to facilitate this—consider co-branding social media posts or creating shareable content for sponsors to post on their channels. These partnerships can increase visibility for both the sponsor and your event while aligning with each other’s goals to give back to the community.

8. team planning will drive success

Gone are the days of a one-person show organizing a golf fundraiser. The most successful events will be those organized by a team with a clear division of responsibilities. By involving multiple planning team members, you’ll ensure that all details are well-managed, from sponsorship outreach to volunteer coordination. Team planning can lead to a smoother experience for everyone involved and help create a stronger, more collaborative event environment. Plus, no one gets burnt out handling every task.

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final thoughts

By keeping these 2025 golf fundraising trends in mind, next year’s golf event will better resonate with participants, deliver value to sponsors, and boost your nonprofit’s fundraising potential. Using golf event management technology can make it even easier to achieve these goals, saving you time on administrative tasks, simplifying registration and payments, and providing tools to engage sponsors and participants. With streamlined technology and a focus on unique experiences, your nonprofit can host a golf fundraiser that raises more money and leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved.

Make Your 2025 Golf Event the Best One Yet!

Get Started with GolfStatus at No Cost

Golf provides a unique opportunity for military veterans to connect with each other in an outdoor, healthy environment. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a program of the Professional Golfers Association, does just that, providing an outlet for veterans to boost their physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing.

PGA HOPE is a free golf program for veterans and active-duty military personnel, led and taught by PGA Professionals. When they complete the program, the veterans are considered “graduates” and remain engaged with the program, and more importantly, with each other.

Seth Scollard, Assistant Executive Director of the Nebraska Section PGA, says the program has become about more than just golf. “Golf has almost become secondary. It’s camaraderie and takes their minds off of everything else for a couple hours each week,” he says. “As the program has grown, it’s really created a veteran community.” Graduates come together for a variety of activities centered around golf and more, including golf leagues, baseball games, and serving food at homeless shelters.

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“Golf has almost become secondary. It’s camaraderie and takes their minds off of everything else for a couple hours each week.”

— Seth Scollard, Assistant Executive Director of the Nebraska Section PGA

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The PGA HOPE Classic falls under the umbrella of PGA REACH Nebraska. It’s one of the section’s flagship programs, with over 250 active participants in its sixth year. PGA REACH Nebraska runs several golf events over the course of the year, with Seth as the point person for organization and execution. In the past, they offered a nine-hole event for PGA HOPE program graduates, but with more veterans involved than ever, Seth and his team decided to up the ante and create the 18-hole PGA HOPE Classic. The Classic added another tournament under the purview of the PGA REACH Foundation, and another need for a golf event-specific tool to manage and execute such events.

“There are a lot of software options out there that cater to PGA Professionals and golf facilities, but when you look at charity events, there’s a different set of needs,” Seth says.

Read the full case study to find out how a partnership with GolfStatus bridges the gap between PGA Professionals and other golf facility staff and nonprofit tournament organizers, and helps PGA HOPE support veterans through golf.

GolfStatus meets tournament planners where they are, both in terms of planning status and their desired level of interaction with our team. To that end, we’re excited to roll out a new function that gives users who don’t want to wait for a product demo the ability to get started in the software right away.

Tournament organizers simply fill out the demo request form and follow the instructions provided via email on how to create a GolfStatus account, explore the software, and create a tournament on their own.

This option is great for folks who might be in a time crunch to launch their tournament’s registration, those who are happier exploring a platform independently instead of listening to a demo, or individuals who just can’t wait to get started. The platform will use the information provided in the demo form to create an organization and auto-populate basic tournament information. Once you create an account, you’re free to explore the platform and its capabilities!

It’s important to note a few necessary steps you’ll need to take after the tournament is created in GolfStatus to get it live and ready to accept golfer and sponsor registrations:

1. Create or add a round

At this point, you’ll enter your tournament’s format, date and time of the tournament, type of start (shotgun or tee time) and golf facility information to further flesh out the tournament’s details.

2. Set Your Tournament Status to Active

Now you’re cooking! Setting your tournament to active means it will appear in GolfStatus’ tournament listings and you’ll be able to sell packages once they’re created.

3. Update the Event Site Homepage

The event website is where you tell your story, so customize it with content, imagery, and media. Share what your tournament is raising money for, share photos or videos of your nonprofit’s impact, and explain to prospective participants what they can expect from the event.

4. Create Custom Team & Sponsorship Packages

Develop packages based on your event’s unique needs and goals! Common package types include team or individual golfer registrations, various sponsorship packages, and add-ons such as mulligans, dinner tickets, on-course challenge entry, or raffle tickets.

5. Explore Tools to Raise More Money

Maximize your tournament’s fundraising potential by learning more about GolfStatus’ revenue-driving opportunities, such as the Technology Sponsorship, Pin Flags, and Hole-In-One Contests. Browse the GolfStatus Marketplace for add-ons from trusted vendors and partners or purchase add-ons from the Revenue Enhancements tab in the software.

6. Connect with GolfStatus’ Team

It’s time to make sure all your i’s are dotted and all your t’s are crossed before you go live! Email the support team, use the chat bubble at the bottom right in the software, or book a meeting with an account manager to connect. Check in with them as much or as little as you like!

prefer to get a demo?

Of course, our team is happy to provide a demo that highlights how GolfStatus can help you hold your best golf event yet. You can book a quick 15-minute call or a full demo with one of our knowledgeable account managers, then work directly with a dedicated client success rep who can walk you through the software’s backend and provide coaching for a successful tournament.

You can choose your own path in how you work with GolfStatus. Click the button below to get started!

Year two of Putt Putt Fore Puppies was a resounding success!

The GolfStatus and Dormie Network marketing teams had so much fun in the tournament’s first year—and learned so much—that we decided to do it all over again and crush our goals from 2023. Check out the 2023 planning blog to get the rundown on the mini golf tournament.

Putt Putt Fore Puppies raised money to support the pets looking for their forever homes at the Capital Humane Society here in Lincoln, Nebraska. See our journey here and on Facebook and Instagram!

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Thank you tournament sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor - Sinclair Hille Architects

Koozie Sponsor - Red Robin

Swag Sponsor - Raising Canes

Certified Piedmontese - Dinner Sponsor

Golf Ball Sponsor - UNICO Group

Batting Cage Sponsor - Pinnacle Bank

T-shirt Sponsor - Dormie Network

Grand Prize Sponsor - Belmont Veterinary Center

Refreshment Station Sponsor - Firespring

Snack Sponsor - Pillar Restaurant Group

Music Sponsor - Prairie Dental

Hole Sponsors:

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3rd quarter / Post-Tournament update

We did it! The second annual Putt Putt Fore Puppies was an even bigger success than last year. Our goal was to donate $12,000 to Capital Humane Society, and thanks to the generosity of our networks and the Lincoln community, the event raised over $15,000 to help care for homeless pets!

event day & post-tournament recap

The tournament sold out, with 54 teams on all three courses at Adventure Golf. We made some changes to the tournament’s set up, moving check in and add-ons closer to Adventure Golf’s entrance to clear up a bottleneck we saw in that area from last year. Things ran smoothly for the most part, though we may add another station for folks to purchase add-ons next year to keep things moving. Over $5,000 went through our GolfStatus event website on tournament day for purchase of all-in games, raffle tickets, t-shirts, and donations, along with nearly $500 in cash. Golfers browsed raffle prizes, visited sponsor booths, decorated pet bandanas, interacted with adoptable dogs from Capital Humane Society, and enjoyed dinner while waiting for the shotgun start.

Emails were sent to all participants prior to the event reminding them to check their hole assignments and encouraging them to download the GolfStatus app ahead of time. Most teams were ready to go with the app, but QR codes were posted at registration and on the clubhouse for folks to easily download the app if need be.

We adjusted the day’s schedule based on 2023, allowing additional time for the teams on the more difficult Backwoods course to finish (even though it wasn’t quite enough time!). Thankfully, live scoring helped our team finalize the results on each of the three courses in just a few minutes so we could move onto awards quickly.

Overall, the event was a resounding success and Capital Humane Society was overwhelmed by the response to the event and the amount the tournament was able to donate. The planning team met to debrief and have some ideas to make the event even better next year! We sent out a post-tournament survey and will use those suggestions to improve for 2025.

3rd quarter update

The third quarter was a race to sell sponsorship packages, promote the tournament, recruit teams, and handle the final details to ensure a successful event. As we experienced last year, the bulk of the team registrations came in during the month leading up to tournament day.

Having a larger planning team than last year paid dividends in sharing the load of sponsor outreach, tournament prep, and day-of event execution. We continued to meet monthly but increased the frequency to bi-weekly leading up to the tournament. GolfStatus’ downloadable Timeline and Checklist kept our planning and task on target.

We crossed these major planning tasks off the list in the third quarter:

• ✓  Finalized details, logistics, and hole assignments for on-course games.
• ✓  Discussed a plan for inclement weather (which we thankfully didn’t need!)
• ✓  Promoted the tournament through email blasts, posts on local event calendars, hanging up flyers in businesses in the area, sending flyers home with local elementary school students, and word of mouth.
• ✓  Sent an email to last year’s participants with a promo code for $5 off registration on National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day on April 30
• ✓  Sold all but two sponsorships, both of which already had their hard costs covered. Each team member reached out to their networks to promote available sponsorships.
• ✓  Placed vendor orders for signage, koozies, golf balls, pin flags, and t-shirts.
• ✓  Worked with our client success rep to make hole assignments and sponsor hole assignments.
• ✓  Sent emails to all participants via the GolfStatus messaging tool to encourage them to download the GolfStatus app, purchase add-ons, and review hole assignments.
• ✓  Coordinated with Capital Humane Society to have adoptable dogs on site at the tournament.

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2nd Quarter Update

Planning has continued moving along smoothly. Getting the event website up and running was much simpler this time around, since all we had to do was copy last year’s event and update the specifics. We decided to offer two team registration packages, one that included a t-shirt for each team member at a higher price point and one that didn’t.

Each committee member was responsible for developing one or more sponsorship packages, which were added to the newly launched event website. We ran a registration promotion as part of National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30, offering a promo code for $5 off registration, which was sent to last year’s participants via GolfStatus’ email tool.

We did run into one major hiccup which necessitated a date change. The event was originally planned for Friday, September 20, but when the Big 10 conference released the 2024 football schedule, we discovered a home Nebraska Cornhuskers football game the same evening as the tournament. In football-crazed Lincoln, we didn’t think we could compete with the Huskers, so the tournament was moved a week earlier to September 13. We made sure all promotional materials (including the event website, flyers, social media graphics, and email blasts) were updated and that we communicated with the teams and sponsors who had already committed. Adventure Golf continues to be a great partner, working with us to seamlessly move the event date.

Perhaps best of all, after learning about the animals in need of homes, one of our planning committee members decided to adopt a cat from Capital Humane Society!

David and Quynh, his new cat from Capital Humane Society!

Here are the tasks we handled this quarter:

• ✓  Finalized registration packages and pricing
• ✓  Finalized sponsor packages and pricing
• ✓  Launched the event website and opened registration
• ✓  Sent an email to last year’s participants with a promo code for $5 off registration on National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day on April 30
• ✓  Created promotional graphics, logos, and flyers
• ✓  Brainstormed revenue enhancers
• ✓  Discussed plans for on-course games
• ✓  Began soliciting donations for raffle prizes
• ✓  Began sponsor outreach
• ✓  Sold 12 sponsorships (thanks Certified Piedmontese, Red Robin, Raising Cane's, 402 Title Services, Upland Software, Nexus Marketing, Vanity Fur, Kyson Denker State Farm, Engineering Technologies Inc, Stewart Title Company, Global Golf Post, Prairie Dental Group, and Luly Motors!)
• ✓  Sold 13 teams
• ✓  Met with Capital Humane Society staff about event promotion and logistics (and got to meet some of the adoptable pets)

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1st Quarter Update

We kicked off planning with committee meetings in February and March to review lessons learned and ideas from the post-tournament debrief and start brainstorming for 2024. The planning committee welcomed several new members, with newer GolfStatus Account Managers and Client Success Reps joining in on the fun. The team now numbers 13, which means more people to share the workload. The decision was made to move the tournament to September, for a couple reasons. One, we hit the jackpot with weather last year—75, sunny, and just a slight breeze. October weather in Nebraska is extremely unpredictable, with more stable conditions in September. Second, Capital Humane Society had no events scheduled for September, so Putt Putt could fill that gap.

Thus far, planning has been easier, as we have actual data and last year’s experiences to draw from. We have a better understanding of costs, revenue, attractive sponsor packages, and how many teams to shoot for. We also have processes and assets in place to use down the road. What’s more, we could simply copy our event in GolfStatus’ backend so there was no need to start from scratch. Stay tuned for the website launch!

Here are the tasks we handled this quarter:

• ✓  Finalized the planning committee
• ✓  Set dates for all remaining committee meetings
• ✓  Set a fundraising goal
• ✓  Reviewed pricing options for facility rental and team registration
• ✓  Brainstormed sponsorship and package ideas
• ✓  Brainstormed revenue enhancers
• ✓  Locked it in with Adventure Golf (September 20!)
• ✓  Confirmed the date with the Capital Humane Society team
• ✓  Divided up sponsorships among committee members
• ✓  Worked on updating the event website so it can launch in April
• ✓  Updated the tournament’s budget spreadsheet

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Technology has transformed the way nonprofits and other organizations plan and execute charity golf events, by streamlining processes, increasing participant engagement, and raising more money for important causes. But for many nonprofit organizers, implementing new technology for your golf tournament may require approval from superiors or a board of directors. If you’re in this boat and ready to jump on board with time-saving tech, here’s how to successfully get buy-in from decision-makers.

1. Identify the problems technology will solve

Before getting into the weeds of the features and benefits of the tech platform, start by framing the conversation around the problems it will solve for your tournament and the planning team. Are you spending a ton of time manually processing registrations and payments? Are you bouncing between siloed tools and platforms that create cumbersome processes? Are you spending more time sending payment receipts than promoting your tournament or connecting with sponsors? Is it difficult to communicate with and engage participants?

Example:

“We’re currently manually processing tournament registrations and payments, which takes significant time and leaves room for error. Using a golf-specific event management software would automate this process, giving staff more time to focus on selling teams and sponsorships.”

2. highlight how technology boosts efficiency & revenue

A solution that increases efficiency and revenue from your golf tournament is sure to get the attention of decision-makers! Explain how a tool that’s built just for golf events can help increase the overall impact of your charity golf tournament by:

• Saving time. Automate repetitive tasks like registration, payment processing, donation receipts, registration closing dates, and more.

• Increasing engagement. Tech that includes communication tools and solutions like live leaderboards offer increased engagement with golfers and sponsors, which creates a stronger connection to your nonprofit’s cause.

• Raising more money. The right tech platform brings opportunities to drive revenue, like online donations, a round up feature at checkout, exclusive sponsorships, premium digital exposure, and add-ons.

Example:

“Golf event management software can save our planning team 40 hours or more and help bring in an extra $4,000 or more in additional revenue.”

3. share real-world examples from other nonprofits

Nothing drives home how well a tool works than showing how your peers have benefited from it. Show decision-makers how other nonprofits and events have successfully adopted tech for their golf events and the positive ROI they experienced. Seek out case studies, talk to other golf tournament organizers, or look at online reviews (such as Google or Capterra) to help make your case.

Example:

“The Golf Fore Kids Classic cut their administrative time in half by using golf event management software and sold out their sponsorships thanks to the extra digital exposure provided by the platform.”

4. provide a cost-benefit analysis

Many boards or leadership teams will likely have concerns about the cost of implementing a new technology—both in terms of the cost to use the software as well as staff time spent learning to use it. Prepare a cost-benefit analysis that outlines upfront costs, any additional fees or estimated costs, and the projected benefits to help alleviate financial concerns. Compare all costs to the potential revenue increase and savings on time and effort.

Example:

“The golf event software I’m exploring comes with no upfront cost and minimal processing fees, which we can pass along to golfers and sponsors. There’s no risk to us to try it.”

5. demonstrate how tech enhances the tournament experience

Your organization’s decision-makers will likely be interested in how any technology will impact tournament participants and the overall experience. Demonstrating how it will improve the experience for golfers, donors, sponsors, and volunteers is a key part of getting their approval. For instance, golfers and sponsors expect online registration with secure payment processing and a simple checkout process. Other experience-enhancing features might include live scoring and leaderboards, online donations, and a donation tracker.

Example:

“Golfers and sponsors will have a better experience with online registration, live scoring, online donations, and digital sponsor exposure, which increases the likelihood that they’ll come back year after year.”

6. Get them to see a demo or explore the software

The best way to convince your team? Let them see it in action! Book a quick demo so they can ask questions firsthand or share access to the software so they can explore it on their own terms. Either way, they’ll see the platform’s benefits and capabilities to ease their concerns about making the jump to a new tool.

Example:

“We can schedule a quick 15-minute call with an account rep to go over the highlights of the software and you can ask questions and have your concerns addressed.”

7. overcome red tape & bureaucratic hurdles

In many organizations, even the most beneficial changes can face obstacles due to red tape or bureaucratic processes. While it can be frustrating, you can take steps to navigate these challenges:

• Anticipate blockers. Understanding the processes will help you prepare for approval, particularly if multiple departments are involved. By identifying delays ahead of time, you can proactively account for them. These might include legal compliance checks, approval from finance or accounting, and a sign off from IT.

• Get the buy-in of key stakeholders. Decisions can be delayed when certain leaders aren’t fully on board. Talk with the necessary individuals or departments ahead of time to explain the benefits and address any concerns at the outset.

• Create a clear implementation plan. Provide a step-by-step plan with timelines and how the tech will be integrated with minimal disruption in the day-to-day operations and the overall tournament flow.

• Address concerns head on. Change can be scary, so think through potential objections and offer clear solutions that address concerns about switching to a new tech tool for your golf event.

• Be patient—but persistent. Overcoming red tape is an exercise in patience, but also in following through. Find a balance between keeping the tech proposal top-of-mind while allowing it to work through the system.

Example:

“I’ll work with finance and IT to get their blessing first, then create an implementation plan that includes ample time for staff training ahead of the golf tournament, and follow up regularly with department heads to keep this request moving forward.”

Other things to mention

• Support. They’ll want to know if there is a team of knowledgeable, responsive folks available to help troubleshoot, provide coaching, and assist you and your golfers—and if there’s any cost to access the support team.

• Security. You might discuss the tech provider’s security standard, such as PCI-compliance (for credit card transaction) and data privacy.

• Long-term benefits. Share how easy it is to copy an event each year so there’s no need to start from scratch. This takes advantage of processes and event infrastructure that have already been built, ultimately saving your team time.

Next Steps

Getting approval to implement new technology for your charity golf event comes down to clearly communicating its benefits, addressing concerns, and showing how it can lead to greater success for both the event and your nonprofit as a whole.

A platform like GolfStatus, which is built specifically for golf events, is a great option to streamline your tournament from top to bottom. It starts with an event website with integrated online registration and payment processing, built-in time-saving automations, and opportunities to raise thousands more dollars. Nonprofits and third parties planning charity golf events can qualify to use GolfStatus at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program.

Book a Demo to Get Started With GolfStatus!

Every one of the 35 schools in the Millard Public School (MPS) District has benefited in one way or another from the Millard Public Schools Foundation (MPSF). MPS is located in Omaha, Nebraska and serves 23,000 students with 3,000 staff in kindergarten through high school. The Foundation gives roughly $1,000,000 back to the schools on an annual basis to allow Millard’s schools to work beyond their regular operating budget.

MPSF has funded programs like after school childcare, advanced placement scholarships, food pantries at district high schools, support for Millard families in need, educator awards, and much more for over 40 years, helping students and educators thrive and the district become a district of choice for area families. “Ultimately our main mission is to support the district and make a difference in the community,” says Marilyn Chollett, Director of Development and Communications for MPSF.

One way the Foundation drives revenue is through an annual golf fundraiser. Marilyn has been part of the golf tournament for 15 of the event’s 30+ year existence and serves as the MPSF liaison to the event’s planning committee. “Golf is a great way to have fun and raise money for our work,” she says. “We want the tournament to be something where people can come and have a lot of fun and support our mission.”

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“Golf is a great way to have fun and raise money for our work.”

— Marilyn Chollet, Director of Development and Communications for MPSF

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The tournament’s planning team changes every year, with Marilyn remaining a steady presence. She’s not a golfer, but keeps the committee on task and on track. It’s a significant investment of everyone’s time, so Marilyn has kept her eyes open for ways to streamline the tournament from start to finish.

When she came across GolfStatus’ booth at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) conference in New Orleans in April of 2023, she was intrigued by the user-friendliness of the platform, and the promise to save organizers time and help raise more money from golf events.

Read the full case study to learn how the MPSF worked with GolfStatus to identify new sponsorship opportunities and streamline the tournament’s operations to help raise over $90,000 for their mission.

Coalition 4 Kids, a Tennessee-based nonprofit that serves vulnerable youth in low-income, high crime areas, has been chosen as the winner of a $10,000 donation as part of GolfStatus’ 2024 Play it Forward giveaway.

For the fourth year, the giveaway was presented in partnership with Dormie Network, a collection of luxury, private destination golf clubs, and its charitable arm, Dormie Network Foundation. The goal of Play It Forward is to celebrate those who use golf for good. Golfers, nonprofits, and the general public were asked to nominate a golf tournament fundraiser for a $10,000 donation, and the nominator was entered to win a Stay and Play package from Dormie Network.

Empowering Kids

Coalition 4 Kids began in 1998, offering after school and evening activities for vulnerable children in one of the lowest-income and highest crime areas in Johnson City, Tennessee. Since then, the organization has expanded into all Washington County and Bristol, Tennessee schools, providing a nurturing environment for over 1,200 students every day to achieve academic, physical, spiritual, and social growth. Its annual golf fundraiser, The C4K Golf Classic, helps raise operational costs for their programming.

The annual C4K Golf Classic helps raise funds for the organization's after school and summer programming.

Executive Director Randy Hensley says the $10,000 donation will immediately be put towards supporting and serving under-resourced children after-school. “We are the safety net for these kids—their family, their education system, their mentor,” he says about their program that provides help with homework, math, reading, character building, spiritual guidance, healthy extra-curricular activities, afternoon snack, and a hot supper—all at no cost to families. “You can change somebody’s whole life if you simply love them where they are and walk with them,” he says.

Golfing for good

Over 700 organizations and golf events were nominated for Play It Forward in 2024. The runner-up, Idaho Golf Fellowship’s Hope House Shamble, received a complimentary hole-in-one contest insurance package from GolfStatus to be used as an additional fundraising opportunity.

Since its inaugural campaign in 2021, Play It Forward has been a hallmark of GolfStatus and Dormie Network’s commitment to give back to those who use golf for good. Past winners include:

• 2023: Avery’s Hope

• 2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation

• 2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation

Nonprofits like Coalition 4 Kids can qualify to use GolfStatus’ golf event management platform at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program. It’s built just for golf events, with baked-in tools and automations to save busy tournament organizers an average of 40 hours per event and help raise an extra $10,000 or more. There’s no risk and a ton of reward. Click below to learn more and get qualified.

It happens to the best of us—you’re sure all your i’s are dotted and all your t’s are crossed for your golf tournament, but as the day draws closer, unexpected issues and tasks may pop up and must be handled. Here are 10 commonly overlooked tournament details you might not be thinking of (but definitely should be!):

1. Event Website Updates

Your event website is the hub for your tournament. It can be tempting to set it and forget it, but it’s necessary to keep it up to date. As the tournament gets closer, ensure the sponsor and team package quantities remaining are correct, that expiration dates are applicable, and a registration close date is clearly stated and communicated to prospective sponsors and golfers.

2. Weather Plans

Weather is one of the few factors for your golf tournament that you have no control over. That being said, you can be prepared. Think through an inclement weather plan for all scenarios and work with the golf facility to determine a backup tournament date, if applicable. If the forecast calls for hot weather, ensure you have plenty of water on hand for staff, volunteers, and participants. If it will be uncomfortably cold, think about providing hot coffee or cocoa to keep participants warm. Above all, you’ll want to constantly monitor the weather leading up to the tournament and fine-tune your contingency plans and how you’ll communicate those to participants.

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Pro Tip:

GolfStatus’ tournament management platform includes a messaging feature that makes it simple to send emails or push notifications to registered golfers and sponsors with just a few clicks.

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3. Volunteer Management

Volunteers are a crucial part of your event. Make sure you’ve assigned and communicated clear roles and expectations to all volunteers and have a point person to manage volunteers throughout the tournament. Be sure to take care of them, providing food and beverage, chairs, a shade tent, or other items to keep them comfortable and feeling appreciated.

4. Golfer/Team Waitlist

If you have a cap on the number of individual golfers or teams that can play in your event, game plan how you’ll handle a waitlist. Many tournaments offer a waitlist so teams or individuals can fill a spot left by a cancellation or other circumstances. If your teams are getting close to sold out, determine if you’ll offer a wait list, how you’ll handle registration and payment with folks on the waitlist, or whether or not you’re able to accommodate additional teams by doubling up on holes (if allowed by the golf facility and keeping pace of play in mind).

5. Printing & Order Deadlines

Give yourself enough lead time to order any signage, banners, apparel, player gifts, branded merchandise, or other items to arrive in plenty of time for your tournament. Check with your vendors on production/turnaround times to ensure you’ll have everything you need for tournament day.

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Pro Tip:

Check out the GolfStatus Marketplace for trusted third party vendors on everything you need to make your tournament unforgettable, like signage, pin flags, auction software, hole-in-one contest insurance, and much more.

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6. A/V Equipment

Coordinate with the host golf facility to determine what A/V equipment they have available and what you’ll need to bring on your own. Equipment needs might include a microphone and portable speaker for the welcome; televisions to display live leaderboards (either inside or outside the clubhouse); laptop, screen, and projector for the awards ceremony or banquet; and any necessary cords for power or connections.

7. Day-of Supplies

Tournament day can be hectic, so plan ahead and make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need for a smooth event. These include items for registration, on-course games, signage, raffle prizes, auction items, and A/V items.

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The Complete Event Day Guide for charity golf tournaments

This free guide includes a tournament day checklist of everything you need for a smooth-running event, plus tips on live scoring, using your website to communicate with participants, and suggested reports and documents.

Download now!

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8. Food & Beverage

This deadline often sneaks up on tournament organizers. Whether the golf facility is providing all food and beverage or an outside vendor or caterer is supplying them, be sure to touch base with them to set a deadline to provide final numbers, confirm menus, and talk through the details of when and how food will be distributed. If you’re providing food and beverage for golfers and sponsors, it’s a good idea to ask for any dietary restrictions at registration.

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Pro Tip:

Food and beverage are prime opportunities for sponsorships. Consider a Lunch Sponsor, Beverage Cart Sponsor, Bar Sponsor, Drink Ticket Sponsor, Snack Sponsor, or other sponsor that helps cover the hard costs associated with food and drink.

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9. Parking

Most golf facilities have ample parking available, but you might want to verify plans for overflow parking if you’re expecting a sold out field of golfers along with sponsors, volunteers, staff members, and guests. The last thing folks want to deal with as they arrive for a fun day on the golf course is a full parking lot and no other options for their vehicle. Consider assigning a volunteer to direct traffic to maximize parking lot use, having a spot for golfers to drop their golf bags before they park, and ensuring there is accessible parking available.

10. Prizes & Giveaways

Don’t wait until the last minute to determine the prizes you’ll provide to the tournament’s champions, winners of on-course games, and contests, as well as golfer gifts. Give yourself plenty of production time for trophies or plaques, and seek donations for auction items, raffle prizes, pin prizes, golfer gifts, and other giveaways to save money on costs.

Stay Organized With Golf Tournament Tech from GolfStatus

Golf tournaments come with enough details to handle—the last thing you need is a clunky event management platform that requires workarounds to function for a golf event. GolfStatus is built for golf and makes it easy for tournament organizers to stay organized, save a ton of time, and easily collaborate with planning teams and the golf facility.

Nonprofits, charities, and third parties holding a golf fundraiser can qualify to use GolfStatus—with a free event website, online registration, client-only sponsorships, an A+ support team, and much more—at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program. Click below to get qualified and create a tournament in minutes!