GolfStatus’ on-staff PGA Professionals—Cash Dinkel, PGA; Jason Meininger, PGA; and Paul Murcek, PGA—have years of experience running golf tournaments from the facility point of view, in addition to working with nonprofits to plan and execute golf fundraisers. Their insights have been shared in our PGA Q&A blog series. This installment touches on how to narrow down and choose a tournament date and how to integrate live scoring into your event.

Cash Dinkel, PGA

Jason Meininger, PGA

Paul Murcek, PGA

Q: What’s the best way to negotiate a good price with the golf facility?

Paul Murcek: In my experience, most facilities don’t do any kind of negotiating on price. If you are able to get them to negotiate at all, that’s a win for your nonprofit, in my opinion.

Cash Dinkel: Since the pandemic, golf has exploded in popularity, with the number of rounds played annually setting records. Because golf facilities can fill their tee sheets with normal play, they may be less likely to give discounted prices to events. That being said, look at ways to bundle offerings from the facility to get a better price. For example, if you're getting food and beverage, player gifts, or anything else extra from the facility, it’s worth asking if you can bundle that into player pricing to see if you can get a better rate.

Jason Meininger: This can be difficult, as most courses have a set price they charge for outside outings like charity golf tournaments. And with the popularity of golf right now, it’s unlikely they will be willing to come down on price. My best advice would be to see if the course has a slow day during the week that’s typically not filled with an event, and see if they are willing to negotiate on price just to fill the tee sheet for that day.

If you’re using the golf facility for food and beverage, player gifts, or any other extras, you might be able to negotiate a better rate.

Q: What are some factors I should consider when choosing a date for my golf fundraiser?

Jason Meininger: First, check with the course on their availability. Spring and fall event dates may be more readily available—and can be the best options weather-wise to have a tournament.

Paul Murcek: Reach out to the golf facilities at least six or so months before your event date to get the best availability. Keep weather in mind—the best weather months for a majority of the country are June and September. Another thing to keep in mind is that these months generally have the most tournaments, so there could be added competition for golfers and sponsors.

Cash Dinkel: I’d say these are the biggest aspects to consider when picking a tournament date:

• Other local events: Check local event calendars to make sure you aren’t hosting your tournament on the same day as other large community events.

• Pricing: Pricing will be higher in the summer months and on weekends.

• Weather: Shoulder season (spring and fall) may be less expensive, but the weather can be unpredictable.

• Other organization events: If your organization hosts other fundraising events, make sure there’s adequate time between them to avoid donor fatigue.
  

Q: In your experience and opinion, what’s the best day of the week for a charity golf tournament?

Cash Dinkel: Friday. You may or may not get charged weekend pricing, but a lot of golfers are willing to take a Friday off and make it a three-day weekend, and you’re likely going to see higher participation. Monday is also a great day, but without the chance of weekend pricing and the same benefits as a Friday tournament for a three-day weekend.

Jason Meininger: If you can find a course with availability, I’d say a Friday afternoon or Saturday.

Paul Murcek: I agree with Cash on Mondays or Fridays and giving your golfers the opportunity to have a three-day weekend. That being said, Friday can be considered a weekend day and will cost more. If you are booking a tournament at a private golf facility, likely the only day available is a Monday.

Shoulder season—spring and fall—can be a great option for your charity golf tournament.

Q: How do I determine the tournament’s schedule?

Cash Dinkel: The golf facility can help you pick the ideal starting time and slot out the schedule. In the hot summer months, morning starts are ideal. During shoulder season (spring and fall), later starts help ensure the warmest temps for play. Once you have determined a starting time, you can build out the schedule for the day. I recommend allowing two hours for check-in, registration, and warm-up. Most facilities will allow volunteers to arrive two hours early to set up. Some golfers like to arrive early to give themselves extra time to warm up, mingle, or check out auction items or raffle prizes. It’s a good idea to schedule announcements for 15-20 minutes before the start time. Post-event timing depends on when the round finishes—most likely four-and-a-half to five hours to play the round. Any meal and awards can take place after golf concludes.

Jason Meininger: Definitely speak to the golf staff to see what the options are. Most likely, they will offer an early morning or early afternoon shotgun start. You can guesstimate that the round will take around 5 hours, so plan your meals and post-golf festivities accordingly.

Use your event website to share the tournament’s schedule with participants, as well as information about live scoring.

Q: I want to live score my tournament. How do I make sure my golfers participate in live scoring?

Jason Meininger: One way is to tell golfers that their team’s score will not count unless they use live scoring, or you could offer a separate, valuable prize to one of the teams that live scores.

Cash Dinkel: Overcommunicate to the field leading up to the event about scoring. Send multiple emails to registrants giving them instructions on what app to download and how to use the app to score. It’s a good idea to encourage them to download the app ahead of time, if possible. Also, make sure information about live scoring is communicated to players as they check in for the tournament and during announcements right before the start.

Paul Murcek: I say make it mandatory! Tell golfers that you won’t be accepting paper scorecards, and if they don’t live score with the mobile scoring app you choose, they aren’t eligible for prizes.

Communicate information about live scoring to golfers ahead of the tournament, including where to download the app, how to use it to submit scores, and where to find a team’s live scoring code.

Q: My host golf facility has its own live scoring software, but we’ve sold a leaderboard sponsorship, so I want to use GolfStatus’ mobile scoring. What should I do?

Jason Meininger: Simply have a discussion with the golf course and explain the situation. More than likely they’ll be willing to work with you in one way or another, either using your chosen platform or finding a way to add the promised logo placement to their system’s leaderboard.

Paul Murcek: Remember, you are the customer at the golf facility, so they should be willing to do what they can to accommodate. As long as it is not in the contract that you must use the facility’s software, then it shouldn’t be an issue. In the rare instance that you’re forced to use the golf course’s software, make sure they are aware of what you need to have done to meet what has been promised to your sponsors.

Cash Dinkel: This is something that should be communicated to the golf staff right away. As soon as you decide to live score your tournament, connect the golf course staff with the app and platform’s staff to ensure golf staff understands the tools they have at their disposal on event day. Stress to golf staff that you’ve sold sponsorship recognition through live scoring. If the facility is truly interested in helping you put on the best possible event, they will accommodate. If they aren’t willing to use the live scoring system, make sure they know they MUST add logos to the materials that you’ve promised your sponsor.

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Ask the Pros!

If you have a question for GolfStatus’ PGA Professionals, email it to [email protected] with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line!

GolfStatus’ in-house golf fundraising experts, including Fundraising Specialists and PGA Professionals, are here to help your tournament raise as much money as possible for your cause. They’ll help you use GolfStatus’ software to drive revenue and save you and your team time, and offer suggestions and best practices to make your tournament a success. Get started with GolfStatus—with a free event website, revenue enhancers, golf event-specific tools, and much more—all at no upfront cost. Click below to book a meeting with our team to get started!

After two years of success, the Putt Putt Fore Puppies mini golf tournament is 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.

Registration is open and live for 2025!

📅 September 12, 2025

🕓 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. (registration opens at 3:30, shotgun start at 4:30)

📍Adventure Golf Center, Lincoln, Nebraska

tournament recap

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

what’s new for 2025

Based on feedback from last year’s participants, the planning team is implementing a few changes 2025 tournament. The scope and format of the tournament will remain the same, but we’re exploring the feasibility of adding an auction and have decided to remove the playoff from the event. Other notable changes:

• New planning team. Planning team members include: Ashley Stahr, Director of Marketing; 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; Nick Koszkewsi, Account Manager; Alex White, Fundraising Specialist; Brenden Holling, Client Success Specialist; Jack Burmeister, Client Success Specialist; Cash Dinkel, Director of Client Success;

• New sponsorships. Nature calls, so a Portapotty Sponsor was added, along with sponsorships for new pet-friendly player gifts to replace koozies.

• New team packages. Two team packages are offered this year—an “all-in” package and a standard package. Both include t-shirts, dinner, gifts, a drink ticket, and round of mini golf for each golfer, but the all-in package includes entry into on-course games and 12 raffle tickets.

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

• Pet showcase. Pet owners can purchase a “sponsorship” to show off their beloved pets on the event website and signage at the tournament.

Follow along on our tournament planning journey here and on Facebook and Instagram!

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Thank you sponsors!

Hole Sponsors:

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This installment in our PGA Q&A blog series discusses a popular topic for charity golf tournament planners: food and beverage. Food and beverage can play a major role in elevating the tournament experience, but many tournament organizers aren’t sure how to tackle this part of planning. Get insights from GolfStatus’ on-staff PGA Professionals: Cash Dinkel, PGA; Jason Meininger, PGA; and Paul Murcek, PGA.

Cash Dinkel, PGA

Jason Meininger, PGA

Paul Murcek, PGA

Q: where do i start in choosing food and beverage for my tournament?

Cash Dinkel: First, determine whether or not you want to have any food and beverage (F&B) associated with your event. Most tournaments we work with offer F&B, and to be honest, it’s become an expectation when playing in these events. Your best bet is to start with the golf facility. Many facilities will have F&B operations on site and will bundle F&B into your tournament package, which makes coordination much easier. Next, determine your budget. You can either wrap the F&B costs into player registrations or sell a sponsorship to cover the costs. Finally, you’ll need to determine if you’ll offer a grab and go/boxed lunch or a sit down meal and if you’ll distribute F&B during play or post-round. Don’t forget to ask about food allergies during registration if you’re offering F&B.

Jason Meininger: Your host golf facility should have a banquet menu for you to choose from and they can offer suggestions on what meals are good options for golf outings. Cost will also be a factor to consider.

Paul Murcek: Start with the facility hosting the event. Some will require that you use their F&B service. Other facilities may allow you to cater a meal or have a sponsor like a local restaurant provide lunch in the cart. Be sure you ask questions when outlining your contract so you and the facility are on the same page with F&B.

Q: I’m trying to decide between a public facility and a country club. Is there a difference when it comes to food and beverage?

Jason Meininger: Yes, there will likely be a difference in both the quality, available options, and cost. I recommend getting menu options from private and public golf facilities so you can compare offerings and costs.

Paul Murcek: More than likely a private country club will have more top-tier options for F&B (but they’ll also come with a higher price tag).

Cash Dinkel: Most country clubs have high-level F&B operations in their facilities, which typically mean a higher quality of food and presentation. Because of that, costs are also typically much higher per person. You can also expect a higher level of service at a country club.

Post-golf dinner, drinks, and entertainment help enhance the overall tournament experience for golfers and sponsors.

Q: If my host facility doesn’t offer food and beverage, what recommendations do you have?

Paul Murcek: At the golf facilities where I worked that didn’t have F&B options, we had recommendations for several local catering companies to offer multiple price points and food options to meet the needs of all events. So definitely ask the golf facility for ideas and recommendations for caterers.

Jason Meininger: When I ran tournaments, we would work with a dedicated catering company to provide a meal for the outing, or give the organizer the choice to find their own provider. We would often see nonprofits work with a sponsor to donate a meal.

Cash Dinkel: Reach out to local restaurants and catering companies to see if they can provide the F&B the day of your event. They may even be willing to donate food and time for some extra exposure at your event. Be sure to check with the facility to see if they will allow you to bring items they don’t offer on property.

Food and beverage is important at all golf events—even mini golf! Participants of all ages enjoy complimentary snow cones at this putt putt event.

Q: What are some ways you’ve seen of tournaments using food and beverage to enhance the tournament experience?

Jason Meininger: Some fun ones I’ve seen:

• Bloody Mary bar on the range for morning events

• Mobile food truck with drinks and light food

• Kegs of beer on designated holes

• Margarita machines on designated holes 

Cash Dinkel: F&B can really change the tournament and make it memorable for golfers and sponsors. Here are some ideas that I’ve seen work well at charity golf tournaments:

• Coolers with water, Gatorade, and snacks on all par three holes that are free to grab.

• Very high-end sit-down plated meals either the night before the tournament or the evening of the event.

• Grab-and-go breakfast before the event starts, or lunch if it’s an afternoon start.

• On-course tasting stations of food and beverages. This is great for local restaurants and caterers, and another sponsorship option.

• Chick-fil-A delivered on the course to golfers as they were playing.
  

Q: Should we offer food and beverage to volunteers? What about golf staff?

Cash Dinkel: 100% for volunteers. They are donating their time and energy to help your event, so definitely make sure they have food and drink available to them throughout the tournament. It’s also nice to offer the golf staff food and beverage, but definitely not expected.

Jason Meininger: Yes, definitely to volunteers. If there’s enough available, I would offer it to golf staff as well.

Paul Murcek: In my experience, it’s a courtesy to provide food for the tournament’s volunteers, as well as the golf staff.

Tournament organizers can opt for a sit-down meal or grab-and-go options.

Q: What is the standard range I can expect for gratuity on food and beverage at my golf tournament?

Paul Murcek: I’d say you can expect a charge of 18% to 20% on large orders at a private golf facility.

Jason Meininger: It really does vary from facility to facility, but I’ve seen 18% to 20% as a standard.

Cash Dinkel: This is totally up to the facility. Most will have gratuity built into the pricing and should be discussed before signing a contract. While I agree with my colleagues that 18-20% is a fairly standard range, be prepared for a wider range depending on the facility.

Q: Do you recommend having drink tickets, complimentary beverages (alcoholic or nonalcoholic), or a cash bar?

Cash Dinkel: Yes to any of the above. Making sure your participants have access to beverages the entire time they are at your event is a must. Most events will have a traditional cash bar. The next most popular option is giving each player one or two drink tickets with their registration, then they can pay for anything from the cash bar after using their tickets. I would say it’s not very common to have complimentary beverages, simply because of the cost. That being said, finding a sponsor to cover the cost of drink tickets for players is a great way to get that cost covered and provide an additional sponsorship opportunity.

Jason Meininger: Most events I’ve seen provide drink tickets. If you can get a sponsor for the beverage cart or bar service, then you could provide complimentary drinks.

Paul Murcek: If you can find a sponsor or sponsors to pay for complimentary drinks, this is a great way to increase the fun of the tournament and keep golfers and sponsors coming back.

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Ask the Pros!

Do you have a question for GolfStatus’ PGA Professionals? Email it to [email protected] with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line and it might be featured in a future blog post or an upcoming GolfStatus webinar!

Get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost! Get an event website, online registration, communication tools, premium digital sponsor exposure, revenue-boosting add-ons, and more—plus access to GolfStatus’ in-house client success team (including knowledgeable PGA Professionals and fundraising specialists). Click the button to book a quick 15 or 30-minute meeting, a full demo, or get started in the software on your own!

GolfStatus’ golf tournament websites have been completely revamped, with new enhancements that give nonprofits advanced tools to streamline golf event management, engage participants, and boost fundraising efforts.

The updated site design reflects feedback and input directly from our clients and our commitment to continued innovation and improvement to help nonprofits raise mission-critical funds through golf. The new look was rolled out to all event websites powered by GolfStatus on January 20, 2025, and includes:

• A clean, inviting interface. GolfStatus’ mobile-friendly websites engage site visitors and prompt action, whether it’s to register a team, purchase a sponsorship, or make a donation. A continued focus on mobile ensures organizations have the ability to collect funds from anyone, anywhere, anytime.

• User-friendly navigation. The new look provides visitors with a more organized and consistent layout, clearly labeled buttons, and easy exploration throughout the site.

• More opportunities to tell your story. The updated design gives tournament organizers even more space and options to share your cause through imagery, text, and video. Site updates can be made quickly and easily in the software’s back end.

• Additional sponsor exposure. Sponsors enjoy increased visibility on the site’s home page that adds value to sponsorship packages.

• Improved checkout experience. Registrants, sponsors, and donors will enjoy a more streamlined and intuitive checkout experience. A new page footer helps guide users through the registration process, showing them what information they need to complete before they can move forward in the process.

• More visible donation calls-to-action. Organizations can take advantage of additional donation calls-to-action, specifically once registration for the event has closed, to further boost tournament revenue.

These updates complement the core functionality of GolfStatus’ event websites, designed with fundraisers in mind, that save time and offer revenue-boosting opportunities:

• Online registration and donations with secure payment processing

• Easy tournament marketing and promotion

• Simple sponsor onboarding and premium digital exposure

• Professional live leaderboards

• The ability to quickly share tournament information and updates

As usual, GolfStatus’ in-house, responsive support team is available to help tournament organizers navigate the site’s updates and answer any questions with live support seven days a week.

get a free event website

Nonprofits can qualify for a free event website and no-cost access to GolfStatus’ suite of tournament management solutions through the Golf for Good program, a give-back initiative that supports organizations using golf to do good. Tournament organizers can book a demo with GolfStatus’ team to learn more and get qualified for Golf for Good or to get started in the software on their own.

Planning a charity golf tournament can feel like a big undertaking, but with the right guidance and tools, it’s easier than you think. In this blog series, the PGA Professionals on staff at GolfStatus are sharing their insider knowledge and tips for success. With years of experience running tournaments of all sizes, Jason Meininger, PGA; Cash Dinkel, PGA; and Paul Murcek, PGA know exactly what it takes to organize a successful event.

In this installment of GolfStatus’ Q&A blog series, these Pros break down the basics of tournament planning—from creating a timeline and working with the golf course staff to must-have tools and advice for first-time organizers. Whether you’re new to tournament planning or looking to streamline your process, their tips will set you up for success.

The PGA Professionals on staff at GolfStatus, from left: Jason Meininger, PGA; Paul Murcek, PGA; Cash Dinkel, PGA.

Q: what’s a typical schedule for a charity golf tournament?

Jason Meininger: Start with your tee off time and build the schedule around that. Here’s an example for a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start:

• 11:00 a.m.: Check-in and registration, driving range open

• 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch served

• 12:45 p.m.: Call to carts, welcome, and instructions

• 1:00 p.m.: Shotgun start

• 6:00 p.m.: Dinner and awards

Cash Dinkel: In my experience, morning starts are most common and a great option for charity tournaments. For example, open registration at 8:00 a.m. for a 10:00 am shotgun start, with a meal and awards following golf (if applicable). I usually recommend advertising to golfers that announcements will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the tournament so people aren’t getting there late.

Q: What does the golf staff typically take care of on tournament day?

Paul Murcek: Usually they’ll take care of getting the golf carts set up and ready to go before kickoff and help you with any format or scoring announcements. They’ll also help with scoring and finalizing the results for awards.

Cash Dinkel: Golf staff will take care of printing materials like cart signs, scorecards, rules sheets, and live scoring instructions and getting them placed on golf carts. They often help with contest set up, scoring the event, and determining the winners. Depending on the facility, they may also make sure any necessary tables, chairs, tents, hole signs, pin flags, etc. are set up and ready to go.

Jason Meininger: It really varies from course to course. At a municipal, public course, they likely aren’t able to help as much as at a high end private golf club. Private facilities will do pretty much anything you need—set up carts and the driving range; produce scorecards, cart signs and rules sheets; make announcements; figure out winners; and hand out prizes after the round, if needed.

Q: in your experience, what tools are the most useful for planning a successful golf tournament?

Jason Meininger: Number one is an event website. It makes it so much easier to track payments, registrations, sponsorships etc. Number two is having a realistic budget and fundraising goal. This helps you set your pricing and get an idea of all of your tournament’s costs so you can see if it will be profitable.

Cash Dinkel: Online registration is a must-have, both for the time-savings involved for the organizer and to make it easy on the golfer or sponsor to register. I’d also say planning guides and resources from golf fundraising experts, plus live scoring to improve the overall player experience.

Paul Murcek: I’d say learning from others that have had tournaments is a great help in being successful. Lean on your Golfstatus client success rep and register for a couple of GolfStatus’ monthly webinars to hear from golf and fundraising experts.

Q: What are some things you wish organizers knew when planning a golf tournament for the first time?

Cash Dinkel:

1. It takes a team. Organize a committee to help shoulder the load, and don’t be afraid to delegate responsibilities.

2. Use your networks! Ask anyone and everyone you, your committee, staff, board, and volunteers know to play in the tournament, become a sponsor, volunteer to help, or just spread the word about the event.

3. Don’t set expectations too high for the first year of a tournament. You can absolutely make money in year one, but be realistic in your goals.

Jason Meininger:

1. Start planning early, at least six months before the tournament date.

2. Have a committee to help with promoting and running the event, especially on tournament day.

3. Recruit volunteers to help.

4. Golf tournaments can be a lot of work—remember you’ll get out of it what you put into it.

5. Marketing your tournament is essential. Use free channels like social media and email campaigns.

Paul Murcek:

1. Start early—procrastination is your worst enemy!

2. Create a sponsorship for every expense you have.

3. The more sponsorship options you have available, the better chances you have to appeal to potential sponsors.

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Ask the Pros!

If you have a golf tournament or fundraising question for our PGA Professionals, email it to [email protected] with “PGA Pro Question” in the subject line! It just might make a future blog post or be answered on an upcoming GolfStatus webinar.

GolfStatus makes charity golf tournaments easier and more lucrative than ever. Whether you’re planning an event for the first time or looking to upgrade an existing tournament, GolfStatus’ tech and golf fundraising experts are here to help. Best of all, nonprofits can qualify to use GolfStatus’ tournament management software at no upfront cost through our Golf for Good program. Click the button to get started!

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Golf tournaments can be a big lift for nonprofit organizations, but with the help of dedicated volunteers, you can pull off a memorable event that drives your mission forward (and doesn’t burn anyone out). Here are some help tips and context about how to effectively recruit and engage volunteers for your golf event and create a memorable experience that keeps them coming back.

Why volunteers are essential

Volunteers are the backbone of successful charity golf tournaments. Here’s why:

1. They fill gaps in people power. Volunteers provide the extra hands needed to execute a seamless event. From planning to cleanup, their support ensures sponsors and participants enjoy a top-notch experience from start to finish.

2. They develop a stronger connection to your cause. Volunteering fosters a deeper connection to your organization. Many volunteers become lifelong supporters, often contributing both time and financial resources.

3. They build important relationships. Volunteers create a support system for your nonprofit and often bond with each other through shared experiences. These relationships often lead to ongoing engagement and advocacy centered around your cause.

4. Everyone benefits. Volunteering benefits both your nonprofit and the volunteers themselves. The Mayo Clinic reports that volunteering reduces stress, boosts mental and physical health, provides a sense of purpose, and even teaches volunteers valuable skills. For nonprofits, volunteers help build capacity, gain loyal advocates, and convert volunteers into regular donors.

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sample golf tournament volunteer assignmentS

Pre-tournament:

• Tournament promotion

• Sponsor introductions or asks

• Assemble player gift bags

• Assemble signs

• Manage volunteers

Tournament day set up:

• Registration desk

• Place hole signs

• Direct traffic

• On-course games and contests

• Raffle or auction

• Awards

registration:

• Check in golfers, sponsors, and volunteers

• Sell raffle tickets, mulligans, and on-course game entry

• Collect donations

During the round:

• Run on-course games and contests

• Distribute food

• Check pace of play

Post-tournament:

• Assist with awards

• Tear down and clean up

• Pick up pin prizes and hole signs

• Write thank yous

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Volunteers can serve as witnesses for a hole-in-one contest at a golf tournament. (Image courtesy of Flickr)

recruiting volunteers

If you don’t already have a volunteer base, your golf tournament is a great chance to establish one! It’s also an opportunity to beef up your volunteer pool for other events and initiatives where your nonprofit needs assistance. Before you start recruiting volunteers, make sure you have somewhere to send folks to sign up. Add a link to your volunteer sign up on your golf tournament website so people who want to know more about the event also have the information they need to help out.

• Use your networks. Start by asking your nonprofit’s staff, board, and current volunteers to commit to volunteer at the golf event and invite a friend to help. This leverage’s social proof, which is the tendency of people to follow others’ actions when making decisions. Personal invitations and word-of-mouth are powerful motivators.

• Leverage local community and service groups. Your community likely has people interested in volunteering—you just need to find them. Tap into service clubs in your community, such as Kiwanis or Rotary Clubs. Use the alumni associations of universities or colleges in your area or that people in your network belong to. You might also check to see if local high schools require community service hours and if volunteering for your tournament might qualify.

• Use matchmaking websites. There are a number of volunteer matchmaking websites that can help you find local volunteers. A simple Google search will give you some great options. RiseUp Malawi used VolunteerMatch to source volunteers for their golf event’s planning committee and day-of execution.

• Work with local media. Consider sending a press release about your golf tournament to local media outlets, such as television and radio stations and newspapers, that includes a call for volunteers. Don’t forget to list your event and volunteer opportunities on local community calendars.

• Leverage social media and ads. Your nonprofit’s Google Ad Grant, which provides up to $10,000 in monthly ad spend, is a great way to promote your golf tournament and volunteer opportunities. You should also post content on your social media channels that show volunteers in action, data that demonstrates your impact, and stories about your work to get people excited to volunteer. You might also consider a small social media ad campaign to target potential volunteers, if your budget allows.

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Using Social Media to Amplify Your Golf Fundraiser

Social media is a huge opportunity to level up your golf fundraiser, helping promote the event; recruit volunteers, players, and sponsors; thank donors, and much more. This free guide will help tournament organizers of all skill and experience levels leverage social media to make the most out of your charity golf tournament and raise the most money possible.

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Keeping volunteers engaged

Your volunteers want to be engaged and in the know when it comes to their contributions and responsibilities. Keeping them engaged before, during, and after the tournament is key to volunteer satisfaction and retention.

before the tournament

• Get volunteers excited. When volunteers sign up to help, personally reach out to thank them for their commitment and share the impact they’ll help make as a result of their time. This gets them excited both for the event and about your cause, and is key to building a long-term relationship with that volunteer.

• Help them feel a sense of ownership. Loop volunteers into the planning process (when appropriate) so they feel a sense of ownership in the event and have a vested interest in its success.

• Create a clear onboarding process. Before you begin recruiting volunteers, document the roles and responsibilities of each assignment. Use online tools to manage sign-ups and assign roles, and share those details once they commit so they understand exactly what’s expected of them. If necessary, offer training ahead of the tournament. For example, if they’re running a hole-in-one contest, walk them through how the contest works, what they need to communicate with golfers, and what to do if someone gets a hole-in-one.

• Communicate effectively. There’s a balance between under and over communicating with volunteers—don’t overdo it, but make sure they know enough to be helpful. Volunteer management tools make it easy to communicate with volunteers and keep correspondence in one place.

during the tournament

• Keep volunteers in the loop. If there are any updates or changes to on event day, be sure to communicate those to volunteers via your online volunteer management tool. Let them know how the tournament is progressing, what’s happening next, and if there are any changes to their assignments.

• Take care of them. You want your golfers and sponsors to have a great experience, but you also want your volunteers to remember your tournament fondly. Simple things like providing hot or cold beverages, food, a place to sit and rest, hand warmers on a cold day, or handheld fans on a hot day make volunteers feel more appreciated and more comfortable.

• Say a public thank you. During the tournament’s kickoff and wrap up remarks, be sure to thank both your sponsors and volunteers for making the event a possibility. If there are only a handful of volunteers, consider recognizing them each by name.

after the event

• Say thank you (again!). Much like with golf tournament sponsors, a handwritten thank you or a phone call can be huge in keeping volunteers engaged for subsequent years and cultivating their support of your organization. Invite volunteers to attend any post-golf gathering and perhaps provide a complimentary drink or raffle ticket. You also might consider holding a volunteer appreciation reception at your office after the golf event to say thank you. Above all, be sincere and personal in expressing your gratitude.

• Ask for their feedback. Send a survey or have informal conversations with volunteers to find out what went well, what can be improved, and what suggestions they have for next year. This helps them feel ownership in the tournament—making them more likely to return to help again in the future.

• Involve them in other parts of your nonprofit. If the golf tournament is the first time a volunteer has engaged with your organization, now is a good chance to share other volunteer opportunities with them. Fold volunteers into your regular organization communication so they’re aware of other events and volunteer opportunities. And be sure to share the impact their volunteerism has had on your organization. For example, assisting with the golf tournament raised funds to feed 20 shelter dogs for a year.
  

Make volunteering for your tournament easy & rewarding

Above all, remember that when volunteers feel valued, they’re more likely to continue supporting your organization. Recruit volunteers with purpose, communicate with them effectively, and show gratitude every step of the way to build lasting relationships.

Your golf tournament can be more than just a fundraiser—it can become a community-building event that strengthens your mission and leaves a lasting impact.

golf for good with golfstatus

Organizing and executing a charity golf tournament is easier than ever with GolfStatus. You’ll get a free event website where you can recruit volunteers, promote your tournament, sell teams and sponsorships, and solicit donations. The software’s back end makes it simple to manage teams, sponsor assets, and payments and seamlessly collaborate with your planning team and the golf facility. The software is backed by an in-house client success team that’s there to help seven days a week. And best of all, there’s no cost and no risk to get started with GolfStatus. Click below to book a demo with our team or get started in the software on your own.

Get started with GolfStatus

No Cost, No Risk

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

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

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

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

1. Create or add a round

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

2. Set Your Tournament Status to Active

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

3. Update the Event Site Homepage

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

4. Create Custom Team & Sponsorship Packages

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

5. Explore Tools to Raise More Money

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

6. Connect with GolfStatus’ Team

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

prefer to get a demo?

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

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

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

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

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

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Thank you tournament sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor - Sinclair Hille Architects

Koozie Sponsor - Red Robin

Swag Sponsor - Raising Canes

Certified Piedmontese - Dinner Sponsor

Golf Ball Sponsor - UNICO Group

Batting Cage Sponsor - Pinnacle Bank

T-shirt Sponsor - Dormie Network

Grand Prize Sponsor - Belmont Veterinary Center

Refreshment Station Sponsor - Firespring

Snack Sponsor - Pillar Restaurant Group

Music Sponsor - Prairie Dental

Hole Sponsors:

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3rd quarter / Post-Tournament update

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

event day & post-tournament recap

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

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

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

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

3rd quarter update

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

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

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

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

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2nd Quarter Update

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the tasks we handled this quarter:

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

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1st Quarter Update

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

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

Here are the tasks we handled this quarter:

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

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If you’ve never planned a golf tournament before or your organization doesn’t currently have a golf event as part of its fundraising portfolio, you’re likely wondering about what it takes to raise money with golf. Planning a successful golf fundraiser starts with a solid understanding of some fundamentals, paired with a golf tournament checklist to keep you on task and on target.

Want to brainstorm ideas for your charity golf event?

Check out this guide.

What to Know Before Organizing a Charity Golf Tournament

1. You don’t have to be a golf expert.

2. Most of your fundraising revenue goes to your cause.

3. Golf events are more popular than ever before.

4. Golf events bring new donors to the table.

5. Sponsors are interested in connecting with your donors in new ways.

6. Golf tournaments are fun and exciting.

7. Organizing a charity golf event is worth the work.

8. Use a checklist to stay organized.

1. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A GOLF EXPERT.

Many event planners aren’t golfers—and don’t need to be to hold a lucrative golf tournament. All that’s really needed is a tool that helps organizers, committees, and volunteers navigate the intricacies of a golf event and that’s purposefully designed to save novice and seasoned golf event planners time and resources.

An event management platform designed specifically for golf fundraisers makes things easier and walks you through planning and executing every step on your golf tournament fundraiser checklist. Look for a tool that makes it easy to collaborate and exchange information with the golf facility and one with a responsive customer success team that’s there when you need them.

2. GOLF FACILITIES ARE EAGER TO HOST GOLF TOURNAMENTS.

Outside golf outings like memorial tournaments, charity outings, major fundraisers, and small local events are essential to a golf facility’s bottom line. You’re essentially guaranteeing the course that you’ll fill the tee times for the day, plus any additional revenue from the pro shop and food and beverage, not to mention exposure to avid golfers who could become members. This gives you, the event organizer, leverage when it comes to negotiating better pricing for the event. Certainly, the more high-end the facility, typically the higher the green fees will be. That said, here are some things to consider to maximize the cost-effectiveness of the facility:

• Tap into your networks. Ask board members, volunteers, and other supporters who are members at higher-end facilities if they have connections and can facilitate a favorable rate.

• Hold the event on an off day. Try to avoid busy holiday weekends and other high-traffic dates for courses. Ask about slower days of the week; rates on Mondays, for example, are typically lower than rates on Fridays or Saturdays.

• Consider adding a virtual option. A virtual tournament extends the event to multiple days or weeks and/or across multiple courses. With this option, players and teams participate on their own time, scheduling their tee times directly with the facility, so your organization doesn’t actually need to occupy the facility on a specific date for a specific period of time. You can also consider holding a virtual event in tandem with a traditional one-day event to allow for more participants and revenue.

3. GOLF EVENTS ARE MORE POPULAR THAN EVER BEFORE.

Golf has seen record-setting popularity over the past few years. Nationwide, the game has seen a net game of more than 2.3 million on-course golfers since 2020. More than 123 million Americans consumed golf in some way in 2023, an increase of 14% over the past five years. Retail equipment sales continue to remain strong. 

Golf fundraisers have enjoyed a similar surge in popularity, with nonprofits of all sizes launching first-year tournaments to capitalize on golfers’ eagerness to get on to the course. These fundraisers are now building on their success as third or even fourth-year events! Golf outings may have emerged as a viable option for in-person fundraising events, but organizations discovered how these events connect them to exactly the types of donors and sponsors that turn into sustainers and long-term corporate partners.

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Active Golfers

1 in 9 Americans

Average Golfer's Net Worth

$768,000

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4. GOLF EVENTS BRING NEW DONORS TO THE TABLE.

In general, golfers tend to represent an affluent, influential demographic. Its participants report higher household and discretionary income (more than double the national average) and thus a higher capacity to give. Younger golfers are also increasingly taking up the sport, with more on-course golfers between the ages of 18 and 34 than any other segment.

When golfers tap into their personal and professional networks to field a team (particularly in tournaments with a scramble format that allows for a wider range of skill levels), it instantly broadens your prospective donor base and exposes new people to your mission. What’s more, your tournament’s sponsors give your development and major gift teams an “in” to potential high-capacity donors and corporate partners. Indeed, golf presents an opportunity to connect with new sponsors and supporters through a sport that people want to play. There’s never been a better time to get in front of golfers and sponsors eager to support golf events.

5. SPONSORS ARE INTERESTED IN CONNECTING WITH YOUR DONORS IN NEW WAYS.

High quality, professional golf course signage certainly has its place in terms of sponsor recognition, but sponsors are increasingly looking for avenues to both support organizations and get their brands in front of the affluent golfer demographic. The good news for both nonprofits and sponsors is that the same technology that streamlines golf events opens doors for digital sponsorship exposure. Digital sponsorships can be sold at a premium, giving sponsors exposure to an audience they can’t get anywhere else and offering a high return on their investment. 

Corporate partners and sponsors have a vested interest in supporting the tech that helps organizations streamline clerical tasks and eliminate duplicative work. Plus digital exposure is easy to manage—just plug in a logo on a website, in a mobile app, or on your event’s live leaderboards. These methods take less time and effort, have little to no overhead costs, and have substantially lower expenses compared to traditional branded pieces.

What’s more, golf tournaments offer sponsors high engagement over the course of several hours on the course. Whether it’s sponsoring a golfer-favorite hole-in-one contest, setting up a booth on a tee box as a hole sponsor, or running an on-course game, golf events give sponsors the opportunity to engage with participants in meaningful ways.

6. GOLF TOURNAMENTS ARE FUN & EXCITING.

The difference between a good golf event and a great golf event is the overall experience. There are many ways to add fun and excitement (and raise a few more dollars along the way). On-course competitions like hole-in-one contests, longest drive contests, closest-to-the-pin contests, and putting contests let golfers test their luck (or skill) to win great prizes—and are premium sponsorship opportunities. 

For example, you can add a buy-in to your tournament’s skins games, which creates mini-competitions between individuals or teams. Displaying skins results on real-time leaderboards keeps golfers engaged.

Other fun add-ons might include:

• A celebrity appearance

• A professional long-driver on a designated hole or holes

• Games or demonstrations on each tee box

• Custom player gifts

• Live or silent auctions

• Post-golf entertainment

The options are endless—but the key is to choose components that contribute to a well-executed event and memorable experience that will keep golfers and sponsors coming back year after year.

7. ORGANIZING A CHARITY GOLF EVENT IS WORTH THE WORK.

Golf’s fundraising capacity is unmatched. And while golf events have a number of moving pieces and unique details to handle, the right tools can ease the administrative burden as you tick items off of your golf tournament fundraiser checklist. Golf event management tech eliminates manual registration and payment processes and siloed information, making it easier to collaborate and delegate tasks to teams, board members, volunteers, and even staff at the golf facility. 

Your golf event management software should have robust reporting capabilities so you can easily track payments and who is supporting your cause. It should also handle golf-specific tasks, such as:

• Building custom sponsorship packages

• Syncing GHIN handicaps

• Simplifying team pairings

• Streamlining hole assignments and hole-by-hole sponsor exposure

• Making live-scoring super simple

If you’re a third party—a business, corporate entity, passionate volunteers, or other group—holding a golf tournament to raise money for a charity, your event management platform should be able to serve as the “bank” for your tournament. Funds collected through donations or purchases of teams, sponsorships, and add-ons can be held by the platform and distributed directly to the benefiting charity after the tournament is complete.

Truly, a fundraising platform designed specifically for charity golf tournaments ensures that no detail is missed. Look for the solution that leaves organizers free to recruit players and sponsors, solicit donations, and upsell and steward donor relationships in ways that advance the event and the organization forward.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser Checklist

A checklist, with an accompanying timeline of tasks, is a tried and true method to staying organized throughout the golf tournament planning process. Depending on the size, scope, and goals of your golf event, a good recommendation is to give yourself at least four to six months to plan. An event management platform built for golf is also a must-have to streamline the process and keep everything organized in one place.

Here’s a quick checklist of important tasks and to-dos to get you started.

3-6 Months Out: Laying the Foundation

• Outline goals and objectives for the tournament based on your mission and fundraising goals

• Assemble a planning committee

• Get your golf tournament management software in place

• Set a budget based on how much you aim to raise, income streams, and estimated expenses

• Choose a date and host golf facility for the tournament

• Start outlining team and sponsor pricing

• Launch an event website

• Create a marketing plan for the event

• Determine whether you’ll have any add-ons, like contests, on-course games, raffle drawings, or an auction

2-5 Months Out: Big-Picture Finalization

• Finalize sponsorship offerings and team packages

• Get quotes from vendors

• Meet with your planning team

• Reach out to prospective sponsors

• Promote the tournament

1-2 Months Out: Countdown Preparation

• Continue promotion and marketing to sell teams 

• Meet with your planning team

• Finalize on-course games and purchase hole-in-one insurance

• Determine a contingency plan for inclement weather

• Recruit volunteers and determine roles

• Continue sponsor outreach

2 Weeks Out: Final Touches

• Meet with the planning team to tie up any loose ends

• Finalize details and food and beverage with the golf facility

• Check on outstanding vendor orders

• Close registration

1 Week Out: Crunch Time

• Collaborate with the golf facility to finalize team pairings, hole assignments, logistics, vendor deliveries, and setup

• Gather supplies and materials (registration items, signage, banners, golfer gifts, raffle prizes, auction items, etc.)

The Big Day

• Set up registration, signage, contests, screens for leaderboards, and awards

• Take photos and post on social media

• Take time to connect with sponsors to build donor relationships

1-2 Weeks Post-Event: Following Up

• Export the donor data from your event management software to include in your nonprofit’s CRM

• Debrief with your planning team to review goals, outcomes, and improvements for next year

• Report on the event’s success to donors, volunteers, and sponsors

• Send thank yous to event sponsors and participants

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For a more in-depth list of planning tasks with a customizable timeline, download GolfStatus’ free Golf Tournament Fundraiser Timeline and Checklist.

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Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Golf tournaments offer a ton of fundraising potential. Understanding the basics of charity golf events and staying organized and on track are keys to planning a successful golf tournament. Start by getting a golf event management platform in place as soon as possible, then outlining all your priorities and to-dos in a golf tournament fundraiser planning checklist.

Get qualified to use GolfStatus’ tournament management software at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program! You’ll save 40 hours or more in planning time and get access to tools to help you raise thousands more dollars for your cause. Click below to connect with our team and get started.

Level up your next golf tournament!

Get a demo of GolfStatus today!

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