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

Few fundraising events check as many boxes as a charity golf tournament. Golf is unique in that it serves as a powerful business connector, built around relationship-building and strategic networking. Unlike traditional networking events or mixers that last 60 to 90 minutes, golf tournaments provide five-plus hours of uninterrupted face time and engagement, making them one of the most valuable formats in professional member programming. Plus, golf events have the potential to raise significant dollars.

Members love golf tournaments for the opportunity to connect with association decision-makers and industry partners, vendors, and suppliers in an informal setting like the golf course. It removes the stiffness of meeting-room introductions and replaces them with shared experiences, friendly competition, and hours of interaction throughout the tournament.

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Start planning!

Download a free golf tournament planning timeline and checklist for a roadmap to a successful golf event. Plug in your tournament date and get a detailed list of to-dos based on your time to plan.

Download Now

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What it is: A golf tournament presents a chance for your members, people from their networks, and member prospects to build connections over a round of golf. Charge a registration fee for teams to participate and sell sponsorships that cover the event’s hard costs, provide in-kind support, and support your association’s mission.

Why it works: Golf’s popularity continues to surge, and golf tournaments provide great engagement and brand visibility for sponsors. Plus, tech makes planning a successful golf tournament easier than ever, making it an all-around great fundraising idea for associations.

Here are four reasons golf events work so well for associations.

1. Generate Non-Dues Revenue

A golf outing is an ideal way to generate non-dues revenue. Whether your outing channels its fundraising dollars solely back into the association or parts them with a nonprofit beneficiary or beneficiaries, fundraising dollars can be collected from registrations, sponsorships, add-ons like mulligans and raffle tickets, on-course games, and other donation asks. The golf event can also be paired with a luncheon, dinner, a more formal gala, or an auction.

2. Improve Association Member Recruiting & Retention Efforts

Golf outings require participants to field a team, which encourages them to reach out to their networks and naturally leads to new member prospects. If membership growth is a primary goal for your organization, let golf event participants know so they can build their teams accordingly. You can also make the event a member-guest-style outing, so teams include both members of your association and non-members (i.e., prospects). Because of the inherent networking value golf events offer, and the fact that attendees tend to genuinely enjoy them, they’re a great way to keep members engaged and invested in supporting your organization year after year.

Golf events hosted by an association are a great opportunity to engage with members and prospects.

3. Forge & Steward Corporate Partnerships

Golf events are great opportunities to secure corporate support and further existing relationships. Golf’s inherent connection to business keeps it on the radars of business professionals and in the sponsorship and marketing budgets of corporate entities large and small. The event itself provides focused exposure to your members, which is a great value to corporate partners looking to sponsor and participate.

4. Build Goodwill & Spotlight Community Efforts

Golf is a fun community event that brings people together to enjoy a great day outdoors. It’s also inextricably linked to charity. As an association, your goals are to align interests and support causes that matter to your members, and you can leverage a golf outing to do both while also building goodwill for your organization and advancing its positive reputation in the community.

If your event benefits a specific cause or nonprofit organization, let players and sponsors know how much of their investments will go to this cause and what kind of impact those dollars make. Not only are you raising mission-critical funds for a great organization, you’re also building your association’s reputation and brand as a whole.

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Case Study: Louisville Chapter of ASHRAE

The Louisville Chapter of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) provides education to members, promotes students' interest in HVAC&R engineering and technical fields, raises funds for research, and supports the establishment of engineering standards.

ASHRAE has held a golf tournament for several years as a fundraising event, but also to engage existing members and attract new ones. Sponsors from the HVAC industry have jumped at the chance to sponsor the event each year, thgaanks to the valuable exposure they get to their very specific target audience. Tournament organizers leverage the digital sponsorships provided by the event management platform that offered each sponsor much more visibility. Plus, the fundraiser is centered around an event that both the association’s members and sponsors truly enjoy.

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Tips for a Successful Association Golf Event

Reduce staff workload with technology. Association teams are often lean, so manually managing registration, team pairings, sponsorship sales, and coordination can quickly overwhelm staff capacity. Event management tech can automate and streamline prep and planning, freeing staff to focus on member engagement and building relationships with sponsors. Be sure your event has a dedicated website and offers online registration. Association members are busy and expect a simple, sleek way to register for any event. They don’t have time to fuss with forms, checks, and mail-in registrations. Plus, everyone’s online these days; it’s the fastest and easiest way to reach both existing and future members and supporters.

Match your goals with the event’s caliber. Consider the venue, price points, sponsorship options, and other key items as you start planning, and be sure they align with your goals. If your association has the opportunity to attract high-capacity members and big-time sponsors, be sure the caliber of the event is aligned with that opportunity. Be aware that positioning your outing as a high-end corporate entertainment event ensures that members gain substantial value from attending, making them willing to invest in supporting and participating in the event.

Make it inclusive and low-pressure. Choose a scramble format to appeal to golfers of all skill levels. Scrambles remove the intimidation factor for first-timers and ensure healthy competition for seasoned golfers. You might even add a fun theme to the tournament to drive excitement and make it memorable.

Turn up the fun. Incorporate on-course contests like longest drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one, best-dressed team, or games to boost the fun factor. Add prizes for tournament and contest winners to help increase engagement and give members plenty of shareworthy moments for post-event conversation.

Boost revenue: Build on-course games, challenges, and contests into the tournament. These additional tournament components add more fun, draw additional attendees, offer more sponsorship opportunities, and boost revenue. A hole-in-one contest is a great example—a high-end prize is most certainly a draw for golfers, and you can sell a sponsorship to cover the cost of the hole-in-one insurance in case someone hits the lucky shot.

Offer sponsorships that businesses can’t resist. Your association’s membership is premium access for industry suppliers—and they know it. Corporate partners want visibility with your membership base, making golf tournaments ripe for high-dollar sponsorships. Offer high-end sponsorship opportunities like branded pin flags, hole-in-one contests, hole sponsorships, and tech-based exposure. Provide exposure through physical and digital channels so sponsors get quality, cross-channel impressions that drive tangible results like web traffic and genuine inquiries.

Branded pin flags are a high-end sponsorship that offers unique visibility at your association’s golf event.

Tailor sponsorships to meet business goals. Businesses likely have specific goals or outcomes in mind when it comes to sponsoring events. You can help them meet those goals by working directly with them to create a tailored sponsorship opportunity that’s mutually beneficial and features options for their involvement. For instance, you might offer the chance to mingle with golfers before, during, or after the event. It’s essential to keep lines of communication open and not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Be willing to be flexible and design sponsorships that fit everyone’s needs.

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Work With the Golf Fundraising Pros—At No Upfront Cost

The right tech makes golf events easier and more lucrative than ever. GolfStatus’ golf event management platform seamlessly handles everything from registration, payment processing, sponsor onboarding, and digital exposure to team pairings and hole assignments, golfer communication, and promotion. Get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost and get a free event website, access to Fundraising Specialists, live support seven days a week, and much more. Book a meeting to learn more!

partner snapshot

Mark McMahon has spent his entire career as a golf professional in public golf. After working at municipal facilities in Des Moines, Iowa, he moved to Cedar Rapids in 2013 and serves as the Head Golf Professional at Ellis Golf Course. The City of Cedar Rapids owns and operates three courses: Ellis, Gardner, and Twin Pines. The City’s golf team manages more than 60 outside events each year across the three courses, ranging from charity fundraisers and conference add-ons to high school competitions and community outings.

That scale, combined with the realities of municipal golf, has shaped how Cedar Rapids approaches outside event management—and why efficiency is so important.

Ellis Golf Course is owned and operated by the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

the challenge

Outside outings are a critical part of Cedar Rapids Municipal Golf’s identity, but they do come with unique challenges and circumstances. Unlike private clubs, municipal facilities are deeply connected to their communities. And while revenue is certainly a priority, relationships with local charities, schools, and civic groups are just as important.

“Municipal golf is different because we can’t just look at events strictly from a revenue standpoint,” Mark explains. “We have to think about the bigger picture and what’s good for the community.”

The three city courses’ yearly event calendars are filled with outside outings for charities and nonprofits, plus high school matches in the fall and spring, conference-related outings tied to downtown events, and young professional and community-based events. The City’s peak season runs from June through September, which means staff must carefully balance daily play with league play and outings without overbooking and overburdening operations.

Previously, managing outside outings was time-consuming, fragmented, and filled with opportunities for human error:

• Paper registration forms came from across the city

• Checks were mailed, dropped off at the golf facility, or handed to a staff member

• Event details lived in emails, spreadsheets, and folders

• Staff manually transferred data from paper forms to Excel

• Creating and printing scorecards and cart signs and making hole assignments took hours

“It was a lot of paper and a lot of manual work,” Mark says. “You’re just trying to make sure everything ends up in the right place.”

Even when Cedar Rapids experimented with tournament management tools, complex interfaces and poor user experience made them more hassle than they were worth. “Some programs just aren’t intuitive,” Mark says. “If you can’t easily navigate it, it creates more work instead of less.”

The front nine at Ellis Golf Course features holes with large, elevated greens.

the solution

Mark was initially introduced to GolfStatus through the golf operations management team. They initially started with a partnership for course pin flags, but Mark was hesitant at first to jump into GolfStatus’ tech for outside outings. “Golf pros are creatures of habit,” Mark laughs. “We tend to stick with what we know.”

But once Cedar Rapids piloted GolfStatus for event registration, everything changed.

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“Switching to GolfStatus for registration was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Once we tested it and saw how well it worked, we moved everything over to GolfStatus.”

— Mark McMahon, Head Golf Professional at Ellis Golf Course

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A Simple, Centralized Platform for Outside Events

Today, GolfStatus is the primary platform Cedar Rapids Municipal Golf uses to support outside outings across all three of its golf facilities. GolfStatus simplifies nearly every part of outside event management:

• Online registration. Event organizers collect player information and entry fees in one place, without dealing with paper forms or checks floating around.

• Fast event setup. Golf staff can set up an event in minutes, instead of spending hours creating and printing materials from scratch, entering player information, and making hole assignments. “I can set up an event in 10 minutes,” Mark says. “Assign holes, print materials, and we’re done.”

• Excel imports. When necessary, staff can upload participant lists directly into GolfStatus without manually re-entering data.

• Sponsor visibility. Events can offer sponsors exposure on both signage and the event website and live scoring app, adding additional value for events and sponsoring businesses.

• Easy event close-out. It’s simple for staff—and event organizers—to quickly reconcile registration data, payments, and payouts after the tournament closes.

• Live scoring. Many events take advantage of GolfStatus’ reliable live scoring and digital leaderboards through the free mobile app.

Outside events held at Ellis Golf Course, like the LBA Golf Classic, can utilize an event website from GolfStatus to promote the tournament, collect registrations, and sell sponsorships.

Supporting Event Organizers & Golf Staff

One of the biggest benefits Mark sees is how GolfStatus helps tournament organizers, especially charities and nonprofits that may struggle with managing the logistics of their golf event.

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“These aren’t event planning professionals, so they need help collecting data, money, and sponsor information in a clean way. They need the one-stop shop that GolfStatus provides.”

— Mark McMahon, Head Golf Professional at Ellis Golf Course

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Mark says he appreciates how GolfStatus allows tournament organizers to:

• Utilize an event website to promote their event

• Offer digital sponsor exposure, adding value to packages

• Reduce confusion around registration and payments since all information is stored in one centralized platform

• Provide a more professional experience to participants

For the golf staff, Mark says these benefits mean fewer questions to field from organizers and golfers, fewer errors in golfer and payment information, and smoother event days.

The results

Significant Time Savings for Golf Staff

The most immediate impact for Cedar Rapids Golf using GolfStatus has been better efficiency. “What used to take a couple of hours now takes just a few minutes,” Mark says.

By using GolfStatus, the burden isn’t on golf staff to:

• Manually re-enter registration information

• Chase down missing registration forms and payments

• Piece together event details from multiple sources

Instead, everything lives in one user-friendly system, which is accessible by tournament organizers and golf staff to review, manage, or print.

The Ellis Clubhouse and Event Center opened in 2022 and hosts a variety of pre- and post-golf gatherings for its outside events.

Better Experiences for Event Hosts

Mark says the feedback from tournament organizers utilizing GolfStatus has been overwhelmingly positive.

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“Every event that has jumped on board with GolfStatus has had really good things to say. It’s a clean, easy process.”

— Mark McMahon, Head Golf Professional at Ellis Golf Course

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Organizers have appreciated having a dedicated contact at GolfStatus, with a client success rep and dedicated support available seven days a week to answer questions, provide suggestions, and help facilitate a successful event. Mark says events powered by GolfStatus tend to run smoothly because there are fewer issues with registration and payments or missing information, and hosts felt supported instead of overwhelmed.

A Partnership Model

Cedar Rapids began using GolfStatus years before a formal referral program for golf facilities existed, when facilities paid an annual fee to utilize the platform. “At the time, it was still worth the cost just for the time savings,” Mark says.

The evolution to a partnership model in which Mark and golf staff refer events to GolfStatus has added even more value. They identify tournaments that need support and infrastructure and refer them to GolfStatus, which works directly with organizers—significantly reducing golf staff workload and providing a financial incentive.

“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership,” Mark says. “GolfStatus makes my life easier, so it benefits everyone to refer events to use it.”

Staff at Ellis and other Cedar Rapids municipal golf courses refer tournaments to GolfStatus, which significantly reduces the workload for golf course staff to pre and plan.

Another reason Cedar Rapids has stayed with GolfStatus is responsiveness. Not just for frontline support for tournament organizers and golfers, but also in taking feedback from partner courses and responding to the needs of golf staff. “Early on, we mentioned the need for a tear-strip scorecard, and the next spring, it was there.”

Having PGA Professionals on the GolfStatus team has made a difference. “You can always get someone on the phone who understands what golf courses need,” he says. “That matters.”

“GolfStatus Just Works”

From Mark’s perspective, the recommendation for other golf facilities to use GolfStatus boils down to simplicity. Facilities looking for a platform that’s intuitive and easy to navigate can leverage GolfStatus to:

• Cut event setup time in half

• Eliminate manual data entry

• Offer better customer service to tournament organizers

“In today’s world, simple is better,” Mark says. “We’re all busy. GolfStatus just works.”

Simplify Outside Outings With GolfStatus

Golf facilities like Mahoney Golf Course benefit as much from GolfStatus’ tournament management tech as event organizers. Facility staff and the planning team can share access in GolfStatus’ backend to manage golfer and sponsor information, finalize team pairings and hole assignments, and save time from start to finish. Want to learn more about how your organization or golf facility can save time and raise more money with GolfStatus? Book a meeting with our team of golf fundraising professionals by clicking below.

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

If you’ve ever thought about hosting a charity golf tournament but immediately felt overwhelmed by the idea, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, many event planners are scared of tackling a golf event because they assume it’s complicated, expensive, or requires deep knowledge of the sport.

The truth is, planning a golf tournament isn’t as scary as you might think. With the right tools, resources, and support on your side, even small teams and first-timers can pull off a successful, profitable event that their supporters love. Here’s why.

Planning a golf tournament doesn’t have to be scary!

The Right Tools Save Time & Effort

In the past, tournament organizers had nightmares about spreadsheets, paper registrations, phone calls, and handwritten scorecards. Today, technology takes care of the heavy lifting. Modern golf event management platforms streamline everything from registration to sponsorships to live scoring. Such tools automate tedious tasks so you can focus on big-picture planning.

Instead of spending countless hours creating and sending mailers, figuring out how to accept credit card payments, and trying to keep your planning team up to date, lean on tech to quickly and easily:

• Set up a branded event website with online registration and secure payment processing

• Build sponsorship packages and collect logos and assets

• Track players, teams, and sponsors

• Display live leaderboards at the golf facility and online

• Automate receipts, reminders, and thank you emails

• Share access with your planning team and the golf facility

All of this means you can plan and manage a golf tournament in less time. And because everything lives in one centralized, easily accessible platform, you can easily keep everyone organized and on the same page.

In short: you don’t need to be a golf pro or tech expert to be successful; you just need the right tools.

You won’t have nightmares about your golf tournament when using the right tools.

You Don’t Need Startup Funds

Many would-be event planners worry that a golf event requires significant upfront investment. But with smart planning, your tournament can pay for itself (and then some!).

Charity golf events typically see the bulk of their revenue from sponsorships rather than player fees. Sponsors are drawn to golf tournaments because they offer high visibility, engagement, and networking in a fun, relaxed atmosphere that allows them to connect with potential clients.

When building your team and sponsor packages, be sure to cover all your costs and build in additional revenue to go towards your cause. Build sponsorship packages at tiered price points that clearly outline benefits. For example:

• Title Sponsor ($5,000): Event naming rights, logo on all materials, prime logo exposure on the event website home page and live leaderboards, one complimentary team

• Pin Flag Sponsor ($3,000): Logo on branded pin flags on each hole, logo on event website, one complimentary team

• Hole-In-One Contest Sponsor ($1,000): Logo on contest holes, opportunity to be present at the hole to engage with golfers, logo on event website

• Hole Sponsor ($500): Signage at one hole, logo exposure in the live scoring app, logo on event website

Target local businesses, corporate partners, and long-time supporters to play in or sponsor the tournament, and start your outreach as early as possible. Use the funds that come in from teams and sponsorships to cover any invoices or costs as planning progresses.

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On-Demand WebinaR

No Budget? No Problem! How to Launch a Golf Tournament with $0

Learn how to start a golf tournament fundraiser that not only doesn’t break the bank, but drives revenue for your mission. Get actionable tools, ideas, and strategies to help you hit the ground running.

Watch the Webinar

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You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

No one expects you to plan a golf tournament from scratch without any support. In fact, help is everywhere if you know where to look.

The host golf facility is a great resource for helping you choose a date and format, and handle logistics such as start time, contests, and set up. Golf facilities rely on charity golf tournaments as part of their bottom line and are there to help you be successful.

Your golf event management platform should also give you access to golf fundraising experts who know the ins and outs of golf fundraisers. They can help walk you through setting up your golf tournament website, answer questions, and coach you on sponsorships, contests, and event-day logistics.

Don’t overlook your organization’s staff, board, and volunteers. Many likely have golf experience and community connections that can help you recruit golfers and sponsors. Delegate tasks like registration, coordinating the raffle or auction, and running on-course games or contests so you can focus on creating an exceptional experience.

Golfers are a generous bunch and jump at the chance to play golf for an important cause.

Golfers Love Playing for a Cause

Golfers are a generous, loyal, and community-minded group. When you invite them to play in a charity golf tournament, you’re offering more than just a round of golf—you’re giving them the opportunity to support a cause they care about while doing something they enjoy.

If your nonprofit’s supporters aren’t avid golfers, don’t fret. People are generally excited to join a day of fun with friends or colleagues, especially when it’s for a good cause. Beginner-friendly formats like scrambles make your tournament accessible for newbies while still keeping things fun and competitive for more seasoned players.

What’s more, golfers tend to come back year after year, especially when the tournament is well-run and they have a great time, and often bring others with them to learn about and support your mission.

Your Event Can Grow With You

One of the best parts of golf fundraisers is that they can grow with you. You can start small, as you get your footing and gain some experience, and build from there. Once you’ve run your first event, you’ll have templates, sponsor relationships, and processes you can use again and again.

Over time, many nonprofits turn their golf tournaments into annual signature fundraising events that raise thousands of dollars each year. And because golf events combine fundraising, networking, and donor engagement, they often become one of the most valuable events on a nonprofit’s calendar.

Don’t be afraid to start small and scale the tournament as you gain experience.

You’ll Have Fun, Too!

Yes, planning any successful fundraiser takes work, but golf tournaments have a way of reminding you why you do this.

On tournament day, you’ll see donors and sponsors connecting, volunteers smiling, and supporters having a great time, all while making a real impact for your mission. There’s something special about watching the tournament come together after months of planning and knowing that you helped make it happen.

And once you’ve planned one, you’ll realize it wasn’t nearly as scary as it first seemed.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let fear or inexperience keep you from tapping into one of the most successful and sustainable fundraising event models available to nonprofits. With the right tools, mindset, and support, you can plan a professional, lucrative golf event that strengthens relationships, builds community, and advances your mission.

When you’re ready to get started, GolfStatus makes it simple to plan, manage, and grow your golf fundraiser from start to finish. Intuitive software, in-house golf fundraising experts, and planning resources turn planning a golf tournament from something scary into an opportunity waiting to happen. Find out how you can get started at no upfront cost by booking a meeting with the GolfStatus team.

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

When you think of a golf fundraiser, a traditional 18-hole tournament on a sunny spring or summer day probably comes to mind. While these types of golf events are tried and true revenue drives, they aren’t the only golf fundraising option on the table. In fact, holding an alternative golf event this fall or winter can be a powerful way to extend your fundraising calendar, diversify your event offerings, and reach new audiences.

Whether you’re looking for a lower-lift event, something weather-proof, or a fun and inclusive experience that appeals to non-golfers, unique golf events fit the bill. Here’s why they work and how your organization can hold one successfully.

Adding a unique golf event in the off-season can help extend your nonprofit’s fundraising calendar, diversify your event offerings, and reach new audiences.

why consider an off-season golf event?

extend your fundraising season & momentum

If your organization already hosted a golf fundraiser earlier in the year, you've likely built up awareness, enthusiasm, and goodwill among golfers and sponsors. Instead of waiting a full year for your next event, capitalize on the momentum by inviting them to another golf-related fundraiser in the fall or winter.

The good news is that these seasonal events don’t necessarily have to be at the same large scale as your main charity golf tournament. You can think of them as a “bookend” to your fundraising year, and a chance to stay top-of-mind with supporters and strengthen donor relationships before year-end giving campaigns ramp up or to kickstart the new year.

Reach New Audiences

While traditional tournaments tend to draw in more avid golfers, alternative events like mini golf or TopGolf have broader appeal. Families, young professionals, corporate groups, and community members who might be intimidated by a full round of golf are more likely to participate in something smaller, fun, and social.

That wider net means additional exposure for your work, plus more potential donors and more opportunities to build pipelines for long-term supporters.

A mini golf tournament is a fun, family-friendly option to introduce new people to your cause.

Offer Accessibility & Flexibility

A typical 18-hole tournament takes up most of the day, which is something not everyone can commit to. Alternative golf events are shorter, more flexible, and may be easier for busy supporters to fit into their schedules.

They’re also highly accessible. No prior golf experience is required, equipment is often provided, and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. This makes such an event less intimidating and more inviting for first-time participants.

Engage With Supporters Throughout the Year

Your event fundraising calendar doesn’t have to be confined to the spring, summer, or even fall. Indoor or weather-proof golf events create fun touchpoints with supporters throughout the year. This consistency not only diversifies revenue but also strengthens donor commitment and loyalty to your nonprofit.

Three unique golf event ideas

1. Mini Golf Fundraiser

Why it works: Mini golf is light-hearted and appeals to participants of all ages. It’s especially effective for engaging families and younger supporters, expanding your donor base beyond the typical golf crowd. It’s also easy to organize, with many local courses and indoor options available for rental, and you have the option to add on-course games or challenges.

When to host:

• Fall: Host an outdoor mini golf tournament before the weather turns colder in your area.

• Winter: Move indoors! Many communities have indoor mini golf facilities perfect for off-season event fundraising.

How to make it successful:

• Charge a registration fee per player or per team.

• Add tailored contests like hole-in-one challenges or best trick shot.

• Offer sponsorships. Sell sponsorships to cover fixed costs and for each hole, giving local businesses visibility at a low cost.

• Consider including family-friendly activities like face painting, giveaways, food trucks, or raffles to boost revenue and create a festive atmosphere.

Alternative golf events can come with many of the same elements as a traditional 18-hole tournament, such as trophies, contests, and sponsorships.

2. top golf event

Why it works: TopGolf has exploded in popularity, offering a modern, social spin on conventional driving ranges. Guests compete in climate-controlled bays, with food, drinks, and entertainment built in. TopGolf appeals to golfers and non-golfers alike, making it a perfect way to attract diverse participants—including younger donors, corporate teams, and social groups.

When to host: TopGolf venues are open year-round, making them an excellent choice for fall or winter fundraisers.

How to make it successful:

• Partner directly with TopGolf to book an event package, as they often have fundraising-friendly options.

• Sell tickets and sponsorship packages for each bay, which can accommodate small groups.

• Organize team competitions, longest-drive contests, or mission-focused challenges.

• Take advantage of TopGolf’s built-in amenities like catering and event staff to help minimize your planning workload.

Avery’s Hope Uses TopGolf to Include the families it serves

Avery’s Hope is a grassroots, all-volunteer organization that provides financial assistance to rare, ultra-rare, and undiagnosed pediatric GI patient families. They host an annual TopGolf fundraiser to be more inclusive for patient families, children, and those who don’t play golf. Bay sponsorships, a silent auction, and a raffle drawing help drive revenue for their mission from the event.

3. Indoor golf simulator event

Why it works: Golf simulators combine the fun of real golf with cutting-edge technology. Players can “play” famous courses around the world without ever leaving the building! Many simulators can also track swing data, adding a gamified element that many players love. Simulator events are weather-proof, scalable, and great for building repeatable annual fundraisers that showcase your nonprofit’s creativity.

When to host: Because golf simulators are indoors, these events are ideal for late fall and throughout the winter, when outdoor golf is impractical or impossible in many areas.

How to make it successful:

• Partner with a local golf simulator facility or sports bar that offers simulator rentals.

• Charge entry fees for individuals and teams and sell sponsorships.

• Host contests like closest to the pin, longest drive, or low score.

• Add in raffles, auctions, or mission-based presentations during downtime to maximize impact.

tips for hosting a winning alternative golf fundraiser

1. Use golf event tech. Save yourself a ton of time and hassle by choosing an event management platform that’s built for golf. Even alternative golf events come with unique details to handle, so make sure your platform has those tools baked in. Leverage online registration to simplify collecting payments and managing golfer and sponsor information.

2. Keep it mission-focused. No matter what type of golf event you choose, tie everything back to your cause. Share impact stories, highlight your work and beneficiaries, and make sure participants know how their support makes a difference.

3. Offer sponsorship opportunities. Even smaller events like mini golf, TopGolf, or golf simulators present chances for businesses to get involved. From hole or bay sponsors to presenting sponsorships, local businesses appreciate the visibility and community connection.

4. Keep it simple. Alternative events don’t need to be overcomplicated! Leverage the built-in amenities of your chosen venue and don’t be afraid to scale the event to fit your goals and resources.

5. Promote across channels. Use an event website and share the link through email, social media, and peer-to-peer outreach to spread the word. Highlight the fun, accessible nature of the event to help draw in people who might not usually attend a golf fundraiser.

6. Make it repeatable. Test out one of these alternative formats this year, then refine and grow it into a recurring fall or winter tradition for your organization.

An event website makes it easy to spread the word about your tournament and where people can find out about your event, register a team, become a sponsor, or make a donation.

final thoughts on unique golf fundraisers

A traditional 18-hole charity golf tournament may be the flagship fundraiser for your nonprofit, but it’s far from the only option. Alternative events, like mini golf, TopGolf, or golf simulators, offer accessible, inclusive, and weather-friendly ways to engage supporters and raise additional funds in the fall and winter.

By adding a secondary golf event to your fundraising calendar, you’ll not only boost revenue but also expand your reach, engage new donors, and build lasting relationships.

golfstatus powers all types of golf events

From mini golf to TopGolf and everything in between, GolfStatus can help make your next golf fundraiser the best one yet. With powerful, easy-to-use technology and a best-in-class support team, you’ll save time, have access to tools to raise more money, and put on a professional tournament that will keep participants coming back year after year. Nonprofits and third parties raising money for charity can use GolfStatus at no upfront cost. Book a quick 15 or 30-minute meeting with our team to get started!

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Get Started at No Upfront Cost

by Logan Foote, Sales and Education Director at GolfStatus

Businesses are looking for a win-win when it comes to sponsoring events. They want to be associated with a worthy cause while also gaining positive exposure for their brand to an audience of their ideal clients or customers. Charity golf tournaments do both, making sponsorships a win-win opportunity for your nonprofit and sponsoring businesses. Knowing who to ask is key to successfully securing golf tournament sponsorships.

• Golf tournament sponsorships are essential for driving revenue from your event and expanding your supporter network in your community.

• Some industries and types of businesses are especially suited to be golf tournament sponsors, and are outlined in detail in this guide.

• Sponsorship tiers are a great way to involve businesses with varying budgets. You can find sample golf tournament sponsorship tiers later in this guide.

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Table of Contents

Golf Tournament Sponsorships FAQ

Types of Businesses to Target for Golf Tournament Sponsorships

Best Practices for Golf Tournament Sponsorships

Sample Golf Tournament Sponsorship Tiers

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Golf Tournament Sponsorship FAQs

What Are the Benefits of Golf Tournament Sponsorships?

FOR BUSINESSES

Golf tournaments have a unique value proposition for businesses. With the right event management platform, sponsors get high engagement with an affluent audience of golfers through exposure before, during, and after the tournament that’s non-intrusive, but memorable. Businesses also benefit from:

• Exposure to the golfer demographic. This population segment is an especially desirable marketing target for businesses as it includes middle to high-income individuals. Consider the following data points about the average golfer:

  • Average household income: $125,000

  • Average net worth of golfers: $768,000

  • 33% are top-level managers

  • 25% own their own business

  • 91% are homeowners

  • 86% own life insurance

  • 74% dine out at least once a week

Many businesses are interested in gaining exposure to the golfer demographic, which gives your golf tournament an edge in recruiting sponsors.

• Multiple exposure touchpoints across the event management platform, earning impressions throughout the tournament.

• Positive brand lift that comes with being associated with and supporting a good cause.

• Increased customer loyalty from people who value businesses that give back to the community.

• Community engagement in a casual setting and as part of a fun and memorable event.

• A competitive advantage in employee recruitment. In fact, 71% of employees think it’s important to work at a company that gives back through philanthropy.

FOR NONPROFITS

Nonprofits stand to gain even more from golf tournament sponsorships, including:

• Financial support to make the tournament a success and help power their missions.

• Strong partnerships with sponsoring businesses that can open doors to high-level donor relationships.

• Credibility, especially for first-year or young events. Having a well-known business involved as a sponsor helps build a positive reputation.

• Access to new audiences when the sponsor promotes the tournament to their audiences, giving the tournament and the cause increased visibility.

What do businesses want out of golf tournament sponsorships?

• Brand awareness. It’s not just a benefit of a golf tournament sponsorship; it’s one of the primary drivers behind a business’s support.

• Support of important work. Many businesses see golf tournament sponsorships as an opportunity to not only support the work of nonprofits that enrich the community, but also to enjoy the good press that comes with it.

• Opportunities to connect with potential clients or customers. Sponsors often want to engage with golfers throughout the tournament, making connections that lead to new business.

• A positive ROI. Businesses are choosing to invest their dollars in your tournament and want to see a return on that investment.

• Custom opportunities. If you’re not sure what a particular business wants out of sponsoring your tournament, simply ask! Work together to build custom sponsorship packages or benefits to help them meet their goals for their support of the tournament.

What golf tournament sponsorships stand out?

• The Technology Sponsorship is a next-level sponsorship offering exclusively for GolfStatus clients. It offers premier branding and exposure for the sponsor throughout the GolfStatus platform and app, driving higher revenue and more engagement.

• Pin flags are one of the most visible sponsorships available for a golf tournament. Branded flags give the tournament a professional look and feel, and provide sponsors with unprecedented exposure across the golf course.

• Hole-in-one contests give sponsors broad visibility, high engagement with golfers, and association with a fun and exciting part of the tournament. A sponsorship covers the cost of hole-in-one contest insurance, which protects your organization from financial risk while offering valuable, attractive prizes.

• Hole sponsorships are a common entry point for sponsors to support your tournament. Level up hole sponsorships with high-quality hole signage and hole-by-hole digital exposure in a live scoring mobile app.

Types of Businesses To Target for Golf Tournament Sponsorships

When it comes to how your organization will secure sponsors for your golf tournament, targeting the right businesses is crucial:

• Start with businesses you already have a relationship with. They don’t have to be previous sponsors—they could be corporate entities that your volunteers or board members own, or even those that are within your supporters’ sphere of influence. 

• Look for businesses that want to reach golfers. Ideal candidates to reach out to are businesses interested in getting their brand on the radar of affluent, influential members of the community—the same folks spending their time on the golf course. 

• Target local businesses in the industries outlined below that have a generally wealthier clientele.

• Target regional and national companies where you have a connection or those that are headquartered or have offices in your area.

1. Food & Beverage

Your golf tournament likely incorporates food and beverage into your golf tournament in some way, perhaps boxed lunches, drink tickets, a cocktail hour, or a banquet. Golfers likely frequent local dining establishments, making it a great option for these businesses to get eyeballs on their brands. Consider reaching out to the following businesses in the food and beverage industry:

• Restaurants (including locally owned, farm-to-table, and upscale)

• Wineries/vineyards

• Beverage distributors

• Sports and cocktail bars

How to Win Their Support

These businesses make great sponsorship prospects because they can customize their engagement. For instance, if outside food and drink are allowed by the golf course, you might ask these businesses to donate or discount catering for your golf tournament. They might also be interested in providing samples of a signature dish or drink on a hole or simply contributing money towards the cause.

2. Healthcare

Healthcare providers are valuable sponsor prospects because they are community-minded and your goals likely overlap: improving the quality of life for residents. Research the following healthcare providers in your area:

• Primary care physicians

• Dentists/orthodontists

• Chiropractors

• Physical therapists

• Surgery practices

• Dermatologists

• Other specialty practices

How to Win Their Support

When pitching to potential healthcare sponsors, emphasize how your cause impacts their patients and their field of medicine as a whole. If your cause is related to improving healthcare for your beneficiaries, sponsoring your golf tournament could lead to a broader partnership or support of a specific project.

3. Sports & Fitness

This industry is a perfect target because of its direct tie to your fundraiser’s medium: golf. Reach out to these types of businesses in your area:

• Gyms/fitness centers

• Personal trainers

• Sporting goods stores

• Golf equipment stores

How to Win Their Support

Businesses in the sports and fitness space are often ideal candidates for an in-kind sponsorship and may be more inclined to donate goods like golf balls, tees, or even clubs for golfer gifts, pin prizes, auction items, or raffle prizes. That being said, these businesses also want the broad exposure a monetary sponsorship brings.

4. Business-to-Business & Financial Services

These businesses typically cater to affluent clientele, which makes your tournament a great opportunity for them to attract new customers. Pitch a sponsorship to the following businesses in your community:

• Financial advisors/wealth management services

• Insurance companies/agents

• CPAs/accounting firms

• Banks/credit unions

• Advertising agencies

• PR companies

• Technology companies

• Consultants

How to Win Their Support

For companies that cater to other businesses or for financial service professionals who manage important assets for their customers, building a personal connection is everything. Win these businesses over by offering opportunities to network and mingle with potential clients face-to-face, like a booth on a tee box or during a cocktail hour.

Businesses in the home service industry are good candidates for golf tournament sponsorships.

5. Home Services

Most of your golfers likely live independently and can benefit from solid connections in the real estate world. Approach the following home services businesses to be sponsors:

• Home builders

• Architects

• Real estate companies/agents

• Home remodeling companies/contractors

How to Win Their Support

More than 90% of golfers own a home. These types of businesses jump at the chance to show off their properties and services at your golf event, perhaps with a tent on the course. Home builders and remodeling companies can showcase their work and high-quality materials, and real estate professionals have the opportunity to show off their listings and upcoming open houses.

6. Luxury Brands

As golf is commonly seen as a luxury sport, it makes sense that luxury brands and service providers would fit in at your tournament. Consider contacting:

• Jewelers

• High-end clothing brands

• Local boutiques

How to Win Their Support

Similar to sports and fitness providers, these businesses would benefit from an in-kind sponsorship with your organization. An effective tactic is to use their in-kind gifts as high-end raffle or auction items, boosting donations for you and brand recognition for them.

7. Travel

The vast majority of those in the golfer demographic regularly take vacations and over half have purchased a vehicle in the past year, making these businesses hungry for exposure to this audience:

• Car dealerships

• Car services

• Rental car companies 

• Travel agencies

• Hotels and resorts

How to Win Their Support

Beyond monetary sponsorships, consider approaching travel services for in-kind donations. Vacation packages, hotel or resort packages, travel vouchers, or even timeshares work well as raffle prizes or auction items.

Allowing sponsors the opportunity to engage with golfers or offer product demonstrations is a great perk to include in sponsorship packages.

Best Practices for Golf Tournament Sponsorships

Sponsorships are where your tournament will likely raise the most money. 

• Offer multiple opportunities for support. Give businesses with marketing or philanthropy budgets of all sizes the chance to get involved with multiple sponsorship tiers or packages at varying price points.

• Leverage digital exposure. Use your event management platform to provide digital sponsor exposure that guarantees impressions throughout the tournament’s lifespan, including every time a golfer registers for the event. There’s no overhead cost to your nonprofit, and sponsors love the added exposure.

• Engage sponsors before, during, and after the tournament. Communicate with them as soon as they come on board, share updates as the tournament gets closer, recognize them during the event, and send a heartfelt thank you after the tournament concludes.

• Report on ROI. Wow your sponsors by sending a report after the tournament that details each deliverable you promised, outcomes, impact stories, testimonials, and imagery to demonstrate the ROI of their support.

Perhaps the most important best practice is using a tech platform like GolfStatus to manage your tournament’s sponsorships. Prospective sponsors should be able to browse available packages on your dedicated tournament website, then submit payment and assets right through the platform. They start to earn impressions right away, and you’re not burdened with time-consuming back and forth to secure payment, logos, and messaging.

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Sample Golf Tournament Sponsorship Tiers

Your golf tournament’s sponsorship offerings should be customized to your event and organization’s needs. A good rule of thumb to consider when building sponsor packages is to look at your tournament’s hard costs and create a sponsorship that covers those costs and adds additional revenue.

How you price these packages depends on a number of factors, including the type of golf facility (public or private), the number of golfers, and the sponsor perks you’ll provide. It’s a good idea to offer sponsorships at varying levels, tiers, and price points to allow businesses with different budgets to support the event. Don’t be afraid to work with prospective sponsors to create custom sponsorship packages or themes that fit both the sponsor’s and your tournament’s needs.

Sponsor logos should always be included on your golf tournament website, earning them valuable impressions before, during, and after the tournament, as well as in the accompanying live scoring mobile app.

Title or Presenting Sponsor (often includes GolfStatus’ Technology Sponsorship)

The highest tier of sponsorship with the highest price. This sponsor should receive broad recognition on all promotional materials, throughout the tournament, and include one or more teams. Folding in the Technology Sponsorship adds additional value and robust exposure throughout the GolfStatus platform.

Gold / Silver / Bronze Sponsor

This tier of sponsor may or may not have hard costs associated with it and can be considered pure tournament revenue. The accompanying sponsor benefits should be enough to justify the business’ investment and often include one or more teams.

Pin Flag Sponsor

Pin flags not only give your tournament a professional feel, but they offer unprecedented visibility throughout the golf course. Sell separate front and back nine flag sponsorships or bundle them into one sponsorship for all 18 holes.

Food Sponsor (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, etc.)

This sponsorship should cover the cost of the associated food and provide the sponsor’s logo on boxed lunches, banquet tables, snack packages, etc. An in-kind donation of food or beverage works well here (if the host golf facility allows outside food and beverage).

Hole-In-One Contest Sponsor

Hole-in-one contests offer premium exposure and associate the sponsor with a fun and exciting tournament component. Selling a sponsorship covers the cost of the hole-in-one insurance. Separate sponsorships can be sold for each contest hole, if desired.

Other Contest Sponsor

If your tournament includes contests such as putting, chipping, closest to the pin, or longest drive, you can significantly boost revenue by selling a sponsorship for each and allowing the sponsor to run the contest and engage with golfers.

Beverage Cart Sponsor

One of the most popular parts of any golf tournament is the beverage cart! Add a sponsor’s logo to the cart and offer them the chance to ride around the course and interact with golfers. The sponsorship could cover the cost of beverages, if desired.

Game Sponsor

On-course games add even more fun (and fundraising) to your tournament. You might sell a sponsorship for each game or a comprehensive games sponsor. Volunteers from the sponsor could be in charge of running the game.

Hole Sponsor (with or without a team included)

This is often an entry point for companies as they come at a lower price point and you can sell one or more for each hole. Signage on each hole, as well as their logo in the live scoring app, provides excellent exposure and a great experience for the sponsors playing in the event. Hole sponsorships can also include a team, if desired.

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Sample Golf Fundraiser Sponsorship Packages

This free guide outlines three sets of golf tournament sample sponsorship packages, including pricing, benefits, and golfer registration costs. You’ll find examples for small, mid-sized, and large tournaments that you can adapt based on your tournament’s unique needs.

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Get Exclusive Golf Tournament Sponsorships With GolfStatus

GolfStatus makes onboarding and recognizing sponsors simple. The platform includes exclusive sponsorships that help raise thousands more dollars for your cause. Nonprofits and organizations planning a golf event to benefit one can qualify for no-cost access to GolfStatus’ golf event management platform through the Golf for Good program. Click below to get qualified or email [email protected].

Sponsors want results, so you need the right tools.

Book a meeting with GolfStatus for smarter sponsorship management!