Fundraising in Central Oregon is key to bringing in funds, so that non-profit organizations can keep running and providing support to our community. Golf tournaments provide an enormous potential for raising funds with low overhead. On the most part, if you provide a memorable experience, golfers will come back year after year and bring other teams to the event.
My personal passion is, “The American Cancer Society’. My husband’s parent’s both passed away from cancer and my mother is a survivor. My idea started about five years ago. I wanted to put on a little family get together in my husband’s mother’s memory and earn some money doing so. Our first tournament raised about $1200 hundred dollars; five years later we have raised an accumulative total of $30,000.
Working at, “River’s Edge Golf Course”, I have had the opportunity to help organize successful golf tournaments for businesses and companies for either ,”Team Building Connections” or for businesses earning money for non-profit organizations.
Below I have I have provided some basic guidelines to help you keep you create a ,”fun event” that not only supports the golf course you are working with, but also provides fundraising dollars for your event.
First Step: is to find a , Central Oregon Golf Course that is willing to support your event at a reasonable cost. Golf courses, such as, “River’s Edge Golf Course” in Bend Oregon, will usually work with you as, far as cost, depending how many you have for your tournament. Charity golf tournaments are known to be one of the most lucrative fundraising events, if both parties work well together. Many golf courses offer discounted rates in the off season, verses in the height of summer. I have organized many successful fundraiser golf tournaments in October. Make sure you get all the details, such as green fees cart fees, range balls, and lunch or dinner.
Second Step: creating a flier with the golf tournament format. I have found one the best format’s is a scramble. Many golfers you recruit do not have a handicap, so it takes trying to establish one out of equation. I have prizes for Ist, 2nd, 3Rd gross. I do many tournaments for businesses that will implement the ”Calloway” Scoring. This scoring does not require a handicap; it is based on your team score.
Third Step: Promoting your tournament is instrumental in getting teams to participate. Networking is extremely important to maximize participation. I would establish a committee that is willing to recruit golfers to your event. I have the luxury of working for “River’s Edge Golf Course “in Ben Oregon, that supports non-profits in the, “Central Oregon” area.
Fourth Step: Time line is about six months; depending on the committee size you have working on your tournament. It can be longer, depending on the size and how many sponsors you plan to contact.
Fifth Step: Hole sponsors is a great way to fundraise. Find a good “sign” company that would be willing to create “signs” for the companies and businesses that want their logo on a particular hole .I know many sign companies that are willing to offer a discount, depending on the non-profit you are fundraising for. Corporations and small business get great exposure for small marketing dollars. Think out of the box on this one. I have had dentists, realtors, insurance companies and restaurants whowant their name on a sign. I charge$100, but I have helped organize tournaments that charge over $250.00 per hole and even more, if the particular sponsor wants to have a tent and hand out “goodies”. All profit for the organization, putting on the golf tournament.
Sixth Step: Acquiring raffle Prizes can bring maximize your dollars for your organization. I have found in golf world that prizes, such as, golf rounds, tickets to sporting events, gift baskets work very well. Make sure that you have prizes that the ladies would like also. There are those that don’t play golf, but will donate their dollars for tickets for prizes.
Seventh Step: Create events on the golf course that inspire donations. One event I have created is the, “The Wall Challenge.” I had my husband build an “8 ft. wall”, that my participants pay ten dollars to flop a shot over, if the team accomplishes the goal, they get to move to the front tees. There is a lot of enthusiasm on that hole, we can hear the cheering. This particular event makes about $1000.00.
Producing a golf event can be rewarding and fun. When you find the right golf course relationship, such as, “River’s Edge Golf Course” in Bend, Oregon, you will establish a great fundraising event that will grow over the years.
Source: River’s Edge Golf Blog