Putt Putt Fore Puppies has kicked off planning for year four of the mini golf fundraiser for Capital Humane Society (CHS). The event is planned by the GolfStatus team to bring the Lincoln community together to raise operating funds for CHS and help more pets find families.

2026 Event Details & Goals

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026

🕞 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. (shotgun start at 4:30)

📍 Adventure Golf, Lincoln, Nebraska

🔗 Event website

Goals for 2026 are similar to years past:

🎯 Donate $13,000 to CHS

🎯 Cover tournament costs with sponsorships and in-kind donations

🎯 Sell out all three courses at Adventure Golf (54 teams / 216 golfers)

🎯 Provide a fun community event and a great experience for participants

Swag Sponsor: Raising Cane's

Welcome from Presenting Sponsor Sinclaire Hille Architects

Pin Flag Sponsor: Ross Eickhoff State Farm

Putt Putt Fore Puppies

Putt Putt Fore Puppies

On-course games included Plinko

Putt Putt Fore Puppies

Putt Putt Fore Puppies

Golfers check out the live leaderboards

Winners of the Backwoods Course

Winners of the Red Course

Golfers used pet toys to putt for one of the on-course games

Putt Putt merch for sale

Adoptable friends from CHS joined the fun

Pet Spotlights

Golf Ball Sponsor: Company Cam

Putt Putt Fore Puppies

Golfers check out raffle prizes

What’s New in 2026

• Sponsor outreach. We’re leveraging a newly developed GolfStatus resource, the Golf Tournament Sponsorship Pitch Deck Template, to facilitate sponsor outreach with a customized deck with Putt Putt’s brand colors and content. It’s already paid dividends, as Sinclaire Hille Architects renewed their support as presenting sponsor for the fourth year!

• New package names. Because we didn’t need to make any fundamental changes to team or sponsorship packages, we decided to have some fun with package names that leaned into the tournament beneficiary: animals. Say hello to the Best in Show Presenting Sponsor, Fetch Champion Golf Ball Sponsor, Hydration Station Sponsor, Tail Wagger Pet Toy Sponsor, and Paw-ty Break Sponsor (and many more). Golfers can choose from an All-Star Pack or Paw Print Team Registrations.

• Paws of Fame Pet Spotlight. Every pet deserves to be in the “Paws of Fame,” so this package also got an upgraded name. The pet spotlights were a huge hit with golfers last year, with many oohs and aahs over the adorable pets, and the team is excited about featuring even more furry friends on signage.

• 50/50 ball drop + sponsor. The ball drop (attendees purchased numbered balls for $10 each, giving them the chance to win half of the total dollars raised from the ball drop) was a late addition to the tournament in 2025, with the planning team deciding to include it just a couple of weeks before event day. It was incredibly popular, but having more time to market it to golfers will be helpful. A sponsorship was added to this fun tournament add-on, and it sold within a few days of registration being opened. Thanks, Belmont Veterinary Center!

• New golfer gifts and raffle prizes. To keep things fresh for returning supporters, the planning team is exploring new golfer gifts and finding sponsors to underwrite costs, like t-shirts and a Frisbee pet toy. We’re also connecting with organizational partners and business owners in our personal networks to secure high-value raffle prizes to provide even more value to participants.

• Refreshed on-course games. On-course games have been popular with golfers, so this year we’re giving them a refresh and working with sponsors to build a game around their business. For example, the presenting sponsor is Sinclaire Hille Architects, so the team is exploring games that incorporate building.

• Merch is back! Ball markers and magnets featuring Pete, the Putt Putt Puppy; stickers with the event logo and likeness of several of the pet spotlight animals; and additional event t-shirts will all be on sale to boost revenue.

Planning for year four of Putt Putt Fore Puppies is much different than year one. Instead of building the tournament’s infrastructure as we go, we can simply draw upon what we’ve already established and find ways to improve the experience and fundraising outcomes. We reworked and streamlined our tournament planning project based on the recently revised Golf Tournament Fundraising Checklist and Planning Timeline and lessons learned from the event’s previous years, which has helped clearly define team members’ roles and responsibilities.

The planning team felt like we hit our stride in 2025 and didn’t make any significant changes to the tournament’s core components—time, location, format, main sponsorships, and team packages—for 2026, which made it easier than ever to copy the event and have our event website launched sooner than in previous years.

Learn more about Putt Putt Fore Puppies, register a team, make a donation, or become a sponsor on our event website.

Thank you 2026 sponsors!

Best in Show Presenting Sponsor

Paws & Prizes Swag Sponsor

Lucky Dog Ball Drop Sponsor

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Tournament Results

Three-year Totals

💰 $37,000 raised for CHS

🏌️ 576 golfers

🤝 87 sponsors

♥️ 56 volunteers

Year 3: 2025

• Golfers / Teams: 200 / 50

• Courses: 3 of 3

• Sponsors: 28 (plus 9 Pet Spotlights)

• Outcomes: $13,000 donated to CHS

  • $2,000 raised on tournament day

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Year 2: 2024

• Golfers / Teams: 216 / 54

• Courses: 3 of 3

• Sponsors: 31

• Outcome: $15,000 donated to CHS

  • $5,500 raised on tournament day

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Year 1: 2023

• Golfers / Teams: 164 / 41

• Courses: 2 of 3

• Sponsors: 21

• Outcomes: $9,200 donated to CHS

  • $1,100 raised on tournament day

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partner snapshot

For Beazer Homes, building communities extends far beyond the act of construction. Beazer Homes has become one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, and its philanthropic roots run deep. Across its divisions across the U.S., the company has embedded giving back into its culture, even establishing nonprofit title and mortgage insurance companies to help fund its charitable initiatives.

Charity is a core business principle for Beazer Homes, which uses golf as a tool to raise money for Fisher House.

In the Maryland division of Beazer Homes, that philanthropic mission is brought to life by Jennifer Eastman, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, who is the driving force behind the team’s charitable and employee engagement efforts. After 13 years with Beazer Homes, she has become the go-to leader for anything related to charity, including creating meaningful opportunities to make an impact.

The primary recipient of Beazer Homes’ outreach is Fisher House, which Jennifer describes as a “home away from home for military families” traveling for medical care. Stays at these “comfort houses” are free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital or undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center. The very first Fisher House was built near Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, right in the heart of Beazer Homes Maryland’s territory. The division donated $500,000 toward the renovation and upkeep of the original house, raised from division employees, donations from friends, family, and vendors, and support from the Beazer Charity Foundation.

the challenge

When Beazer Homes acquired a community with a golf course, a charity golf tournament seemed like a natural fit to support its work with Fisher House, which now has 100 comfort houses that serve 570,000 families. Jennifer and her colleague, David Jacques, began work to launch a charity golf tournament in 2024, believing that it was the best opportunity to raise significant funds, enjoy a day of camaraderie with partners and sponsors, and have the potential to grow and scale year over year.

The biggest hurdle wasn’t enthusiasm or effort—it was managing the finances. The division couldn’t mix fundraising with internal funds to run the tournament, so they needed an easy, transparent way to collect and distribute the charitable dollars. Jennifer was prepared to manually manage everything, piecemealing systems and processes for everything from registration to logistics, but holding tournament funds remained a hangup.

Fairways for Families brings together Beazer Homes employees, partners, and friends for a fun day on the golf course raising money to support military families through Fisher House.

the solution

The IT team at Beazer Homes came to Jennifer with a better option for collecting registrations, selling sponsorships, and managing payments: GolfStatus. Best of all, they could get set up in the software at no upfront cost. Within a week of connecting with GolfStatus, Fairways for Families had an event registration website ready to go.

The primary driver for adopting GolfStatus was simple: a secure, efficient way to collect, hold, and disburse funds. The additional features and capabilities were icing on the cake.

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“The biggest benefit was being able to run all the money through the platform. Everything else was a bonus!”

— Jennifer Eastman, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Beazer Homes

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The tournament website simplified promotion, registration, and sponsor onboarding.

Those “bonuses” helped streamline nearly every part of tournament planning and management, while elevating the tournament experience for golfers and sponsors:

• The event website gave golfers and sponsors a professional, centralized hub to find out more and get involved.

• Online registration streamlined sign-ups, payment processing, and receipts, while the tournament funds were held securely until the tournament’s conclusion.

• Add-on packages like mulligans and raffle tickets were added to the site for purchase, keeping funds in one place.

• Responsive support from the GolfStatus team whenever Jennifer or David needed help or had a question, plus access to Fundraising Specialists with ideas to boost revenue.

• High-end sponsorships from GolfStatus, like hole-in-one contests, pin flags, hole signage, and the Technology Sponsor, became powerful revenue generators.

“We used all of GolfStatus’ add-ons,” Jennifer says. “We were able to sell sponsorships for each one, and even gave all the top sponsors custom pin flags.”

The results

With the right systems and strategy in place, Fairways for Families has seen consistent growth and success with its golf fundraiser. The funds raised from the tournament provide general support for Fisher House’s mission to serve hundreds of thousands of service members, veterans, and families dealing with a loved one in the hospital.

“Raise more than the year before”

Jennifer’s goal for the golf event is simple: “Raise more than we did the year before!”

In 2025, the second year of Fairways for Families netted nearly $70,000 for Fisher House from 36 teams and 35 sponsors. Its success led Jennifer to create a golf tournament playbook for other divisions, with suggestions for pricing and sponsorship packages, detailed screenshots, golf event ideas, best practices, and who to contact at GolfStatus.

Beazer Homes divisions around the country have adopted golf tournaments as a fundraising tool, leveraging GolfStatus’ tech, tools, and support to save time and raise more money.

In 2025, Fairways for Families grossed over $100,000 and donated nearly $70,000 to the Fisher House Foundation.

elevating the tournament experience

Beazer Homes didn’t just focus on fundraising. They prioritized creating a memorable, engaging experience for participants, which included sponsor representatives, division business partners, local avid golfers, and employee families. “We wanted to add little things to make the experience better and more memorable for everyone,” Jennifer says. Thoughtful touches included:

• Snack bags for golfers

• Portable fans in gift bags and extra shade tents (lessons learned from a sweltering 101-degree first year)

• A marshal to improve the pace of play

• Pre-paid food on the course

• Walk-up music for golfers at contest holes

On-course activities also made an impact, both in terms of experience and fundraising outcomes.

• Closest-to-the-pin challenge. Golfers paid to participate and contribute additional funds to the Fisher House.

• Hole-in-one contest, staffed by division employees to chat with golfers.

• Raffle drawing, with prizes generously donated by sponsors and the host golf facility’s pro shop.

• Cornhole challenge, with winners earning the right to take one stroke off their score.

On-course games, like the cornhole challenge, boosted fundraising outcomes and improved participating golfers’ scores.

lessons learned

The best advice Jennifer can give to other golf tournament organizers is to start planning as early as possible. “In our first year, we started a little too late, and we felt pushed because no one had bought the top sponsorships,” Jennifer says.

A major takeaway from that experience is to talk with potential sponsors to ask what they’re specifically looking for and how a sponsorship can fit their needs. “I ask what they want, and modify the package accordingly,” Jennifer says. “Some want logo placements, some want more golfer spots; it all depends on their perception of value. So we work to give them what they want.” That flexibility and willingness to tailor packages to what sponsors actually value have helped the Maryland division build loyal, returning golf tournament partners year after year.

Jennifer plans to continue to use GolfStatus as she builds for the future of Fairways for Families.

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“GolfStatus solved our biggest problem of how to track funds, and everything else worked so well, I can’t imagine trying to do all of it manually.”

— Jennifer Eastman, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Beazer Homes

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Get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost

GolfStatus’ event management platform is built specifically for golf events, with solutions that save tournament organizers time and effort and tools that help raise more money. Our in-house Client Success team is there seven days a week to answer questions, provide coaching, and make the most out of the software. Tournaments can get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost, with a free event website launched within a week. Book a meeting with GolfStatus’ team of golf fundraising pros to get started!

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

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

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

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

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

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

• How many golfers you’ll have

• What each golfer pays to play

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

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

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

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

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

2. Add Revenue Multipliers That Reliably Increase Giving

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

Adding Professional On-course Contests + Entertainment

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

Accepting Credit Cards

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

Choosing the Right Venue + Day

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

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

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

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

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

• Conservative outcomes

• Realistic outcomes

• Stretch outcomes

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

A Practical Goal-Setting Framework

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Think Beyond One Year

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

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

Maximize Fundraising With Charity Golf International & GolfStatus

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

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

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

• A premium guest experience that supports bigger donations

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

Why GolfStatus Matters for Your Goal

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

• Better organization = better sponsor experience

• Better sponsor experience = more renewals + higher dollars

• Smoother logistics = more time/attention on fundraising moments

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

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Book a Meeting with GolfStatus

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

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!

After two years of success, the Putt Putt Fore Puppies mini golf tournament came back for an even bigger and better year three! Planned by GolfStatus staff, Putt Putt Fore Puppies brings the community together to raise funds for Capital Humane Society (CHS), which cares for homeless pets in Lincoln, Nebraska, and helps them find their forever homes.

2025 Recap

• Golfers / Teams: 200 / 50 

• Courses: 3 of 3

• Sponsors: 28 (plus 9 Pet Spotlights)

• Outcomes: Nearly $13,000 donated to CHS

  • $2,000 raised on tournament day

The 2025 Putt Putt Fore Puppies Mini Golf Tournament was another resounding success! While the final amount donated to Capital Humane Society was less than in 2024 (2024’s event benefited from a very generous day-of donation that skewed the final numbers), the tournament actually raised more than in previous years. Here’s how we boosted overall revenue:

• Sponsorships. New packages were added (Tennis Ball Pet Toy Sponsor, Doggie Bandana Sponsor, Drink Ticket Sponsor, Trophy Sponsor), and prices were slightly increased to drive income. 

• Team packages. Two team packages were offered—an “all-in” package and a standard package. Both included t-shirts, dinner, gifts, a drink ticket, and a round of mini golf for each golfer, but the all-in package includes entry into on-course games and 12 raffle tickets. Pricing was increased to cover costs and better reflect the experience.

• Pet showcase. Pet owners had the opportunity to purchase a “sponsorship” to show off their beloved pets on the event website and signage at the tournament. Pet owners got to take their pet’s sign home at the end of the day!

• 50/50 ball drop. Attendees purchased numbered balls for $10 each, giving them the chance to win half of the total dollars raised from the ball drop. Over 50 balls (out of 100 possible) were sold, and all 100 were dropped on one of the holes before the shotgun start. Two balls made it in the hole, and the winners split the pot with CHS. One winner donated half of his winnings back to CHS! This was a relatively late addition to the tournament, with limited time to promote it ahead of event day. Because it was well-received, the planning team will continue it in 2026 and start selling balls when registration opens.

• Merch. A merch sales table was another new addition to the tournament, including ball markers and magnets featuring Pete, the Putt Putt Puppy; stickers with the event logo and likeness of several of the pet spotlight animals; and additional event t-shirts. 

• Additional raffle prizes. This year’s raffle was extremely successful due to the quality and quantity of prizes. Attendees purchased more raffle tickets for the chance to win high-dollar prizes, including an espresso machine, photography packages, gift cards, attraction tickets, and more. And since all prizes were donated, there were no overhead costs.

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2025 Changes

Based on feedback from last year’s participants, the planning team implemented a few changes for the 2025 tournament. 

• New planning team. Planning team members included: Ashley Stahr, Chief Marketing Officer; Payton Prall, Digital Media Manager; Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager; David Li, Graphic Designer; Dane Stahr, Product Designer; Ty Perkins, Account Manager; Paul Sanger, Account Manager; Alex White, Fundraising Specialist; Brenden Holling, Client Success Specialist; Jack Burmeister, Client Success Specialist; Cash Dinkel, Director of Client Success; 

• New schedule. Additional time was built into the schedule to accommodate the extra time required to complete the Backwoods Course and the raffle drawing.

• New tournament day layout. To better facilitate golfer check-in and avoid bottlenecks around the registration area, the layout was revamped. We leveraged some additional green space at Adventure Golf for a smoother flow from check-in and add-ons to dinner, sponsors, and raffle tables.

• New on-course games. New game options were added to each course, including a pet putter (golfers putted with a dog toy, tennis ball launcher, or pooper scooper), alternative ball (putting with the tennis ball dog toy instead of their golf ball), and animal trivia.

Past Tournament Recaps

Here’s a quick rundown of what the tournament accomplished in its first two years:

Year 1: 2023

• Golfers / Teams: 164 / 41 

• Courses: 2 of 3

• Sponsors: 21

• Fundraising Goal: $3,000

• Outcomes: $9,200 donated to CHS

  • $1,100 raised on tournament day

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Year 2: 2024

• Golfers / Teams: 216 / 54

• Courses: 3 of 3

• Sponsors: 31

• Fundraising Goal: $12,000

• Outcome: $15,000 donated to CHS

• $5,500 raised on tournament day

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Thank you sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Flag Sponsor

Golf Ball Sponsor

Doggie Bandana Sponsor

Tennis Ball Pet Toy Sponsor

Flag Sponsor

Dinner Sponsor

Music Sponsor

19th Hole Sponsor

Swag Sponsor

Trophy Sponsor

Batting Cage Sponsor

Hole Sponsors:

Signage Sponsor

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by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

There’s an important golf tournament to-do that often gets lost in the shuffle of securing a golf facility, promoting the event, recruiting sponsors, registering golfers, and finalizing details: branding. And while it might just seem like just one more task to cross off your list, branding plays a critical role in the success of your golf event.

Branding your tournament is a key factor in its success! Project Purple uses consistent brand colors and the organization’s logo in its golf tournament branding.

Branding your tournament is more than just slapping your logo on a flyer and calling it a day. Strong, consistent branding can elevate your tournament in big ways, building credibility, making your event more recognizable, helping attract sponsors and participants, and giving you a more professional, polished look. 

Let’s break down why branding matters for your tournament and how to build a cohesive brand—no design degree required.

Why Branding Matters for Your Golf Event

1. It Builds Trust

A clean, consistent visual identity helps people take your tournament seriously. When your materials look polished, potential sponsors, golfers, and donors are more likely to want to be part of it. They see that you’ve put care and thought into your event, and they can assume the overall tournament experience will reflect that, too.

2. It Creates Recognition

If someone sees your tournament’s logo on a flyer, then again on a social media post or in an email, and again on a t-shirt—guess what? They’re more likely to remember it! Branding keeps your tournament top-of-mind, helping grow participation and support for your mission.

3. It Makes Your Event Stand Out

There are a lot of charity golf tournaments out there. And while that’s certainly not a bad thing, it does make it a bit harder to stand out. That’s where branding comes in. Good branding makes your tournament pop. Whether it’s a clever logo, a bright color scheme, or a unique event name, these elements help make your tournament memorable.

4. It Improves Your Marketing

Clear branding makes it easier for you and your team to create marketing materials that look good and work well. From social posts to printed flyers to digital ads, branding helps ensure your marketing efforts are cohesive and easily recognizable by potential golfers, sponsors, and supporters.

Your Tournament’s Brand: What It Should Include

There’s good news for tournament organizers who don’t have access to a designer or a creative team: you don’t need a huge style guide or agency-designed logo to build an effective brand for your charity golf tournament. Simply start with these key elements:

Event Name

Give your tournament a name that’s fun, catchy, and theme or mission-related to help the event stand out and be remembered. Some examples from tournaments powered by GolfStatus:

• Fairway to Heaven Memorial Golf Scramble

• Survive & Thrive Golf Classic

• Drive Out Hunger Golf Classic

• Tee Off for Hope

• Habitat FORE! Humanity

• Putt Putt Fore Puppies

• Drive to Cure Cancer Golf Classic

• Drive for Hope Golf Outing

• Teeing Up Tomorrow

• Chip In for Children’s Charity Golf Outing

• Birdies for Bravery

If your cause doesn’t lend itself to a punny name, don’t sweat—simply including your organization’s name or mission in the name can be just as powerful for branding.

Your tournament’s name and logo should appear on all promotional materials, including your event website.

Logo 

Use your nonprofit’s existing logo or create a unique one for your tournament. Keep it simple, scalable (so it looks good no matter where or what size it’s used), and legible. If you choose to create a separate logo specifically for the golf tournament, be sure that it complements your organization’s overall branding if and when they’re used together.

Color Palette

Choose two to three colors and use them consistently in all materials. Online tools like Coolors or Canva’s color palettes can help you narrow in on colors that look sharp and work well together. Again, it’s a good idea to choose a palette that’s in harmony with your organization’s logo so they don’t clash when used in tandem.

Typography

Stick with one or two fonts that are easy to read. You don’t need anything fancy, but it’s a good idea to avoid ornate script or overly decorative fonts. Consider using bold or all caps for headlines, and a clean sans-serif font for body text.

Imagery

Use consistent imagery, such as golf-themed icons or graphics, mission-related photos, or high-quality shots from previous golf tournaments. Bonus points if you can feature people having fun on the golf course!

Assemble imagery from past years’ golf tournaments that emphasize the event’s brand, like the above image from a glow-in-the-dark golf fundraiser.

Branding Tips for Non-Designers

You don’t need to be a design pro to create a great-looking brand for your charity golf tournaments. Try these tips:

Use Canva (Or a Similar Tool)

Canva is a non-designer’s best friend. It’s free (with an upgraded paid Pro version), easy to use, and packed with great-looking templates for flyers, social posts, email graphics, posters, and much more. You can upload your logo, save your colors and fonts, and keep everything consistent across your tournament’s promotional materials.

Create a “Mini” Brand Guidelines Document

Put all your tournament’s visual elements, including logos, colors, fonts, and a few sample images, in one simple document. This makes it easier to keep everything aligned and share with volunteers, board members, or sponsors helping with marketing. You might also consider creating a shareable Google Drive folder (or other file sharing platform like OneDrive or Dropbox) where the guidelines document and all the branding elements are stored for easy access.

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Free Templates

GOLF TOURNAMENT PROMOTIONAL FLYER TEMPLATES

Save time and create polished, professional-looking flyers to market your golf tournament with these free templates. These editable Canva flyer templates are designed to help you drive participation, boost event visibility, and make your tournament look great—no design skills required. 

Get the Templates

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Stick to Your Chosen Colors & Fonts

Resist the urge to go rogue with your design choices! Consistency is what creates a recognizable brand, so use the same colors, fonts, and design style everywhere, from your promotional emails to your event signage.

Make it Legible

Design rule number one: If people can’t read it, it doesn’t work. Use high contrast (think dark text on a light background), avoid crowded layouts and clutter (white space is your friend), and don’t overuse fancy fonts to make all your pieces as readable as possible. 

Use Your Branding Everywhere

Include your tournament logo on player gifts like koozies to reinforce the brand and make your event more memorable.

You’ve gone to the effort of creating a brand for your event, so make sure you use it everywhere! It should be front and center on:

• Your tournament website

• Flyers and posters

• Social media graphics

• Sponsorship packets

• Event signage and banners

• Staff and volunteer shirts

• Cart signs and scorecards

• Swag and giveaway items

Branding & Sponsorship Go Hand-in-Hand

Your tournament’s branding doesn’t just help you look good—it can also help you raise more money. A strong, professional look makes your event more attractive to sponsors. It gives them confidence that your tournament will be well-run and their logo and brand will be presented in the best possible manner.

When pitching tournament sponsorships, consider using branded mockups when possible to show how their logo will appear on signage, cart signs, or social posts. The better your branding, the easier it is for sponsors to picture their brand alongside yours.

Final Thoughts

Branding your golf tournament doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple elements and a little bit of consistency, you can create a strong, professional visual identity that builds trust, attracts attention, and sets your event up for success.

Even if you’re not a graphic designer, tools like Canva and clear intention can go a long way. And remember: good branding isn’t about being flashy, it’s about being clear, consistent, and authentic to your mission.

Need help streamlining the rest of your tournament? GolfStatus makes it easy to build out a professional-looking event website (complete with your branding), manage registrations, and handle sponsor visibility all in one place.

by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

If your organization isn’t using an event website for your charity golf tournament, you’re missing out on a powerful tool that saves busy organizers like you time, enhances the professionalism of your tournament, and attracts more players and sponsors. Here are six reasons why an event website is a must-have, how to maximize its impact, and how nonprofits can get one at no cost.

An attractive, professional event website is the hub for your charity golf tournament.

1. Event promotion is as simple as sharing a link

A dedicated event website makes promoting your tournament quick and easy. Simply include the link in all your communications—emails, social media, sponsor outreach, even printed pieces. Attendees and potential sponsors are directed to a professional, mobile-friendly event site where they can register a team, purchase a sponsorship, or make a donation with just a few clicks and on any device. Your website should be powered by an event management platform that’s built for golf events and allow you to efficiently capture golf specific details like team members, player handicaps, and more.

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Pro tip:

Add QR codes that link directly to your event website in any printed promotional materials—flyers, postcards, mailed invitations, etc.—to make it easy for golfers and sponsors to commit as soon as they hear about your tournament.

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2. Your tournament gets more credibility & professionalism

An event website presents your tournament—and your organization—in the best possible light. It keeps information organized and showcases your nonprofit’s mission and work, helping attendees and sponsors better connect with your cause. Linking your event site to your organization’s main website strengthens credibility and makes it easy for visitors to learn more and get involved. Sponsors also appreciate the added professionalism and digital exposure that a well-designed event site provides.

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Pro tip:

Choose a platform that allows you to customize your event website with images, videos, and compelling storytelling about your cause.

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Free guide:

the essential guide to golf tournament event websites

This comprehensive guide provides golf tournament organizers with strategies and best practices for using an event website to streamline planning and raise more money from your golf event.

Download the Guide

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3. Online registration streamlines everything

People expect to register and pay for events online these days. An event website makes it easy for golfers and sponsors to commit the moment they hear about your tournament—whether through word of mouth, digital channels, or a personal invitation. Plus, collecting registration and payments through the site means no more manually processing registrations and payments, keeping multiple spreadsheets up to date, or sending receipts. Secure online transactions automate data collection (i.e. donor and sponsor data) and streamlines event planning, reducing administrative work and ensuring your donor database stays up to date for post-tournament stewardship. You’ll collect funds upfront, so you’re not chasing down payments on tournament day, or worse, stuck covering the cost for someone who registered but never paid.

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pro tip:

Use a golf event management platform that includes built-in, secure payment processing and robust reporting features.

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4. sponsors get maximum visibility & exposure

A professional golf tournament website makes it easy to list and sell sponsorship packages that are custom-built to meet your event’s needs, while giving sponsors premium visibility before, during, and after the tournament. Sponsors love the impressions they earn every time someone visits the website to register, check their hole assignments, and see the day’s schedule. Look for a platform that simplifies sponsor onboarding, so logos and assets are submitted right at registration and automatically appear on the site. Sponsors also appreciate additional exposure on live leaderboards and live scoring apps.

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Pro Tip:

Send a final round of promotional emails and social media shout-outs recognizing sponsors a few weeks before the tournament. This provides extra exposure for onboarded sponsors and can even encourage other sponsors to get involved.

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An event website gives sponsors broad digital exposure with every site visit.

5. you’ll save a ton of time & stay organized

Gone are the days of manually processing paper forms, deciphering credit card numbers, cashing checks, reconciling Venmos, and juggling receipts and spreadsheets. With an event website, registrations, add-on purchases (like raffle tickets and mulligans), sponsorships, team pairings, and donations are all managed in one easily-accessible place. It also makes coordinating with your planning team and the golf facility simple and efficient. Staff at the host golf facility can access real-time event details and participant information and print pre-formatted cart signs, score cards, and alpha lists so they’re focused on serving your event and not on back office work. When everything is organized and accessible, everyone saves time (to the tune of 30-40 hours) and effort.

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Pro tip:

Share access to your event management platform with golf staff for easy handling of last-minute logistics like hole assignments, flights, and team pairings.

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6. it’s easy to communicate updates & engage participants

Need to add details or make last-minute changes? An event website makes it simple to keep attendees informed. Whether it’s updating tee times, promoting a hole-in-one contest or high-end auction item, or sharing weather-related changes, updates are made in real time. If your platform includes live scoring and digital leaderboards, you can keep golfers engaged throughout the event while providing extra visibility for sponsors. And you don’t necessarily need to have every tournament detail hammered out before you launch your site—it can be as simple as the date and location, with a note of more details to follow. This lets you get on the radars of donors and sponsors as early as possible.

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Pro Tip:

Ask each of your organization’s board, planning committee, and staff to email or text a link to the event website to at least five people who might be interested in either playing or sponsoring your golf event.

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get a free event website

Nonprofits or third parties hosting a golf fundraiser can qualify for a free event website and full access to GolfStatus’ powerful event management platform at no upfront through the Golf for Good program. Our team can work with you to build a site or guide you through the process. Click below to get started.

Launch An Event Website In Minutes

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by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

When it comes to player gifts at charity golf tournaments, getting it right can significantly enhance the participant experience and leave a lasting positive impression of your nonprofit. Giving golf tournament gifts should make golfers feel valued, connect them to your organization and mission, and encourage them to play in the event in the future.

But what makes a great gift? And what should you avoid? Drawing on feedback from GolfStatus app users—golfers who regularly play in charity golf tournaments—and industry insights, here’s a deep dive into best practices, gifts that are hits and misses, and gift ideas to ensure your event is up to par.

Learn how to supercharge your golf tournament's fundraising with our free guide

Best Practices for Choosing Winning Golf Tournament Gifts

• Stay on budget. Great gifts don’t have to break the bank. Thoughtful, practical items often cost less than flashy or trendy products. Keep your gifts commensurate with your registration prices. Bake gift costs into your registration prices or make sure they’re covered by a sponsorship.

• Prioritize practicality and quality. Golfers appreciate items they can use during play or in daily life. These items not only serve a practical purpose but also remind participants of your event each time they use them.

• Incorporate customization. Adding your nonprofit's logo or the event name to gifts transforms standard items into memorable keepsakes that offer lasting reminders of the tournament and your cause.

• Offer a variety of items. Providing a selection of gifts caters to diverse preferences and enhances the overall experience to ensure that each participant finds something they value.

• Leverage sponsorships. Partnering with sponsors to provide player gifts can elevate the quality of items without increasing costs, adding value for participants and strengthening sponsor relationships.

• Consider unique and memorable items. Distinctive gifts can make your tournament more memorable, but ensure these gifts align with your budget and the interests of your participants.

• Plan for raffle and contest prizes. In addition to player gifts, offer attractive raffle and contest prizes to boost engagement and add excitement to the event.

• Gather feedback. After the tournament, ask for feedback from participants regarding the gifts and overall experience to better meet their preferences. Keep track of what gifts are especially popular for future tournaments. 

Custom or branded headcovers make a great golf tournament gift!

Our Favorite Golf Tournament Gift Ideas

These are the gifts that golfers rave about, cherish, and actually use. They strike the perfect balance of quality, practicality, and relevance to the sport.

• High-quality golf balls. Golfers always appreciate receiving premium golf balls, especially if they’re from trusted brands like Titleist, Callaway, or TaylorMade. Personalized balls with the event logo are even better, serving as both a functional item and a keepsake.

• Branded golf apparel. Apparel such as moisture-wicking polos, performance hats, or lightweight jackets are consistently popular. Golfers value apparel they can wear both on and off the course, particularly if it’s quality and well-made.

• Technology or gadgets. Golf tech like rangefinders, GPS devices, or even a gift card toward such items are unique and highly valued gifts. For lower-cost options, consider phone mounts for golf carts or clip-on speakers.

• Practical accessories. Items like insulated tumblers, golf towels, divot repair tools, and high-quality umbrellas rank highly. These are useful both on the course and in daily life.

• Gift cards. While not flashy, gift cards to the host golf course’s pro shop, local restaurants, or sporting goods stores are almost universally appreciated, giving golfers the freedom to choose something they truly want or need.

• Unique keepsakes. Custom-engraved glassware or framed pin flags or scorecards can serve as a meaningful reminder of the event, particularly for milestone tournaments or events honoring a special cause.

41 more golf tournament gift ideas

Practical golf tournament gift ideas:

1. Golf balls from top brands

2. Golf ball markers

3. Quality tees

4. Branded golf apparel

5. Golf club cleaner brush

6. Headcover

7. Golf shoe bag

8. Tumbler

9. Golf towel

10. Divot repair tool

11. Commemorative ball marker

12. Indoor mini putting green

13. Personalized bag tag

14. Free rounds of golf at the host golf facility

15. Golf glove

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Pro Tip:

Give sponsors the opportunity to include items in the player gift bags.

Find out more in this free downloadable guide: Sample Golf Fundraiser Sponsorship Packages

Get the Guide

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Premium golf tournament gift ideas

16. Custom golf travel bag

17. Golf cart rain cover

18. Guest passes to a high-end golf club

19. Luxury golf apparel (shirt, pants, socks, glasses, etc.)

20. New set of high-end clubs

21. Personalized headcover

22. Hotel stay

23. Tickets to a local sporting event

24. Putter

25. Driver

high-tech golf tournament gift ideas

26. Rangefinder

27. GPS device

28. Golf cart phone mount

29. Clip-on speakers

30. Fitness watch/tracker

31. Smart golf ball

32. Golf simulator pass

33. Bluetooth speaker

34. Portable power bank

creative golf tournament ideas

35. Commemorative ball marker

36. Framed photo or pin flag from the event

37. Golf ball retriever

38. Membership to golf-themed app or service

39. Complimentary golf lessons

40. Gift card or gift card pack

41. Hand warmers

Golfers wear hats and quarters zips bearing the Brantley’s Buddies logo.

golf tournament gift bundle ideas

• Golf combo: A sleeve of high-quality branded golf balls, a moisture-wicking polo, and an insulated tumbler that are co-branded with your nonprofit’s and sponsor’s logos.

• Tech bundle: A clip to hold a GSP unit or rangefinder, a phone mount for golf carts that makes live-scoring easier, and a high-quality microfiber towel.

• Golf basics package: Golf tees, a divot repair tool, a ball marker, and a nice branded golf hat.

• Gift card bonanza: Gift cards to the host golf facility’s pro shop, a local coffee shop, and golf or sporting goods store.

• Cause connection keepsakes: A custom-engraved glass, beer stein, or mug paired with a gift card to a local restaurant and a thank-you note explaining how their participation supports your mission.

golf tournament gifts to avoid

While the intention behind every gift is good, some items just plain miss the mark. Avoid these gifts that golfers told us make them groan:

• Low-quality items. Cheap golf balls, flimsy tees, or poorly made apparel diminish your tournament’s reputation and their value as a gift—and usually end up in the trash.

• Overly generic merchandise. Generic water bottles or pens with no event branding or connection to golf can often be viewed as uninspired. While functional, they don’t resonate with golfers or evoke memories of the tournament.

• Over-sized or bulky items. Large, heavy items like oversized coolers or clunky golf bags can be a hassle for participants to carry around. Unless you’re offering a larger raffle or contest prize that justifies the bulk, stick to smaller, more manageable gifts.

• Non-golf-related items. While creativity is good, veering too far from the event’s golf focus can backfire. For example, unrelated gadgets or trinkets may leave golfers scratching their heads.

• Items with no usefulness. Decorative items with no practical use or special connection to your tournament, such as purely ornamental keychains or low-quality paperweights, get a thumbs-down from golfers.

• Incorrect sizing. If gifting apparel, ensure it fits and the style appeals to your audience. Collect sizing when golfers register to ensure you have the proper inventory available.

getting started with golf tournament gifts

By focusing on quality, relevance, and practicality, your nonprofit can ensure the player gifts at your next charity golf tournament are not just appreciated but celebrated. Thoughtfully selected gifts enhance the golfer’s experience to keep them coming back year after year, elevate your event’s reputation, and remind participants of your organization’s mission every time they use them.

The right event management platform is key to a professional, successful event. Click below to connect with GolfStatus and find out how you can use its tournament management software at no upfront cost!

Make Your Golf Event a Swinging Success

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About the Author

Jen Wemhoff - Communications Manager at GolfStatus

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

by Logan Foote, Sales and Education Director at GolfStatus

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!

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