Has anyone ever organized a golf fundraiser (scramble)?

[WDWNewbie]

Hi

I am just starting to organize a golf fundraiser for later this summer.

It will be 9 holes, 'scramble/best ball' format.

If anyone has done this before and has any words of wisdom, or any websites you can refer me to on how to organize a golf tournament I'd really appreciate it!

I think we'll have around 75 players, and the golf course has the ability to include a BBQ lunch.

We're planning for a silent auction as part of this, but any other ideas on how to incorporate other fundraising ideas (maybe some kind of golf contest?) into the day would be appreciated!!

Thank you!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I tried and we had to cancel and here's where we went wrong.

1. Too high a fee. We based it on other area events and we really shouldn't have. We should have charged much less. We should have only done it $10 to $25 more for what we had. People will pay more if you have the prize structure to justify the cost. But for a first time out, keep it low.

2. Goody bags and prizes--we just couldn't solicit a reasonable amount. Playing a golf tourny for charity--people will do it if they get something in return. Goodybags can be filled with just about anything--see if a sporting goods store would just give you however many bags for your # of golfers and fill them with small things from local businesses.

Prizes--you need raffle prizes...LOTS of them.

Hole sponsorships--sell them for a bit more than the rate to enter, you can allow them to have a team included for their sponsorship and then they get to place a sign at the hole and pass out promotional items.

Hole in One sponsorship--if you know someone who has an "in" at a car dealership--see if the dealership will sponsor the Hole In One free car prize. Basically--they purchase an insurance policy for $100-$200. They don't actually donate a car. The rates for the policy vary depending on what the tournament will be like.

The silent auction is great! Use that for your bigger prizes. Set tables up for this where the golfers sign in and then relocate them to where the BBQ will be after they get started.

Sell packets at the beginning--we were advised to do mulligans (you can google what this means, I forget but I think it has something to do with being able to re-tee a ball or something) and include 2 raffle tickets.

Good luck, I wish you the best!

 

[ChibiJones]

I did a couple for a previous job. The golf course should be able to give you alot of advice. First and foremost - get your date ASAP. Of course no date will work for everyone, but try to avoid holiday weekends. Second thing to start doing - beg for prizes.

Some additional fundraisers we did:

Hole sponsorships.
We sold mulligans at the beginning.
Raffle tickets were sold at a couple of holes. I had teams of two out at the holes so they could take breaks.
Live auction.

We also had a hole-in-one contest. The dealership had been doing it for years, and as far as I know they've never had a winner.

We had varying levels of sponsorship. Basic entry fee was a little over the per person cost of the course plus the participation gift. Ours was in the $20 range - things like polo shirts, divet kits, small pieces of luggage. You could also do thinks like pen sets for cheaper. The higher up, the more goodies you got.

I think 75 people is too many for a 9-hole tournament. That's two teams of 4 per hole. If you do a full 18 holes, you have one team per hole. Our course required the use of golf carts for tournaments to keep things moving.

 

[golfgal]

First thing, a scramble and a best ball are actually two completely different things (but a scramble should be called a best ball in my opinion). I would guess you want a scramble where everyone tee's off and you pick the best shot from there and then you pick the next best shot, etc. all the way into the hole.

What is the fundraiser for and what do you want to get out of it? You can have a competitive tournament that is a fundraiser as well, giving out prizes, etc. If you don't want to give out prizes, see if you can get something donated from local businesses for different things. There are ALL kind of things you can do if you want the tournament to just be fun and raise money (but you won't get as many golfers that way).

I would have hole contests, longest drive for men/women, closest to the pin (on a par 3), longest putt made. I would also investigate the hole in 1 insurance thing. It is cheap and huge payout if someone actually gets one (I have never played in a tournament personally where someone had a hole in 1).

Are you having this at a course where there is a golf pro on staff? They will be able to give you all kinds of ideas on different formats etc. Do you have a day reserved for the tournament yet? Most courses set their tournament schedule a year or more in advance so you might want to call ASAP to see if you can find a weekend. If you can get your tournament on an exclusive course with a good entry fee, say $50/person for a competitive tournament, you will draw more golfers. If you are doing a scramble, do a 5 person scramble. You might have to put a limit on a team handicap if you are giving out big prizes (cash or pro shop dollars). If you are giving out fun, donated prizes, don't put any kind of handicap limitations on the team.

Let me know if you have any more questions but I won't be able to get back to you until later Saturday.

 

[golfgal]

If you are going to sell mulligans, sell them only on putts and only putts on the putting green. I wouldn't get into doing mulligans for driving. ALso, I would require your teams to use everyone's drive once in 9 holes. It makes it more interesting that way.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I never organized one but our elementary school used to do it and they ran into trouble over "alcohol".
Some parents complained that it shouldn't be "allowed". Of course that ended it.

Have fun, it can be a very good fundraiser.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Thanks!

This is all good advice!

I'll be getting a package from the golf course (we have a date on hold right now)
but I wanted to get some ideas going!

I hadn't thought of the mulligan tickets, or whether it would be appropriate to have alcohol sales at the bar during the BBQ! Definitely something to think about!!

 

[rt2dz]

I proabably should have read the posts, but I didn't. Check this website for all sorts of great fundraiser ideas, hints, & help

 

[golfgal]

Thanks!

This is all good advice!

I'll be getting a package from the golf course (we have a date on hold right now)
but I wanted to get some ideas going!

I hadn't thought of the mulligan tickets, or whether it would be appropriate to have alcohol sales at the bar during the BBQ! Definitely something to think about!!

If you don't allow alcohol, you won't have a very well attended fundraiser. Golfing and drinking go hand in hand.

 

[WDWNewbie]

Thanks rt2dz for the website--I checked it out and got some good text from one of their message boards for soliciting prizes and sponsorships.

As for alcohol--it looks like we'll have the tournament in the morning followed by lunch--so at least if anyone has a 'few too many' it won't be until after everyone has golfed!

 

[golfgal]

Thanks rt2dz for the website--I checked it out and got some good text from one of their message boards for soliciting prizes and sponsorships.

As for alcohol--it looks like we'll have the tournament in the morning followed by lunch--so at least if anyone has a 'few too many' it won't be until after everyone has golfed!

Obviously you don't golf .

 

[monkeyboy]

Only 9 holes


Lots of BOOZE and get HOOTERS to be a sponsor

 

[Ronda93]

75 players and 9 holes will take an eternity.

Is this competitive? If so divide them into two flights (A = front, B = back), use all 18 holes and use a shotgun start.

If this is just for fun don't worry about flighting, but ask the course for all 18 holes. You'll need them. Stick with a shotgun start.

Scramble is a great way to play with varying skill levels.

Good luck.