How to Host a Charity Golf Tournament

Golfing is a popular past-time and sport that can be used to raise awareness and money for your cause. By enlisting the support of your local golfing community, you can take your charity's cause to the greens. No matter how poorly you may golf, a charity golf tournament is a "hole in one."

Things You'll Need

• Golf course venue
• Golf equipment
• Golf professionals
• Tickets
• Press release
• Volunteers

Instructions

Get Into the Swing of Things With a Charity Golf Tournament

1. Decide whether you will host a "Pro-Am" tournament where golfers are paired with golf celebrities or a "Celebrity" tournament where local and national celebrities will be enlisted to play alongside paying participants. You can also host an open tournament where golfers of all levels are invited to join in the fun.

2. Secure the support of a local golf course. If you are working with a non-profit charity, your organization may be able to provide this venue with a valuable tax write-off for the use of their course and other facilities. By nurturing relationships with corporate sponsors, you can help increase the amount of money donated to your charity.

3. Start advertising your event at least two months in advance. Include posters in your promotional campaign budget and ask local sporting goods stores and other related vendors to post them in their stores. You can create even more buzz through a series of press releases listing the expected "celebrity" participants in your event.

4. Require registration and payment prior to the event to decrease the amount of work required on the day of the tournament. Golfers will need to be grouped into small foursomes or twosomes and the easiest way to facilitate this is by creating a chart before the event. Golfers can then check in at the event and receive their partner assignment for the day.

5. Create a fun environment for golfers of all levels when you host a celebratory cocktail or luncheon party at the 18th hole. If you have live entertainment and good food, you will have all of your sponsors anxious for next year's big tournament!

6. Budget for a small trophy or other kind of award for the winning golfer or team. You can have a brief awards ceremony at the end of the tournament. Use microphone time wisely to thank your supporters and reiterate your charity's goals and mission.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage your participants to stay well-hydrated and protected from the sun's harmful rays by including caps and bottles of water in their gift bags. These can easily be handed out as each registers on the day of the event.