8 Things to Know to Plan Golf Invitationals

Golf invitationals are commonly used by companies and organizations to raise money for various causes. An organization may choose to simply organize fun golf tournaments for employees and community members to raise money for specific causes like cancer research or fighting hunger and homelessness. Players are generally charged entry fees that go to raise money for the cause. If you are a charity, organizing a golf invitational may be just the event you need to raise awareness and funds for your cause in your community.

1. • 1
     Determine how much money you need to raise to meet your fundraising goals for the year. Plan how much of that total budget you want to see come from a charity golf invitational event.
   • 2
     Develop a list of three or four sponsorship levels that companies can choose to support your cause with. Devise benefits for each level that companies or even individuals can expect to receive in return for a donation at that level. Set a donation range for each level. Offer tickets for a certain number of golfers and signage at the event for each level. Provide more tickets and greater name recognition at higher levels.
   • 3
     Decide who you will approach to be the overall sponsor of the golf invitational. Offer that company the best perks and signage at the event, such as inclusion in the name, inclusion of its company logo on all materials promoting the event, and a large number of tickets for its employees to golf in the event.
   • 4
     Approach local golf courses and find a course willing to donate their course time and grounds for the invitational. Plan a format for your tournament, such as scramble, best ball or alternate shot.
   • 5
     Design a logo for the invitational that includes your overall sponsor’s name in it. Write a letter to local businesses and individuals explaining the cause you are raising money for and the details of the event, such as time and location. Include the logo of the event on the letterhead. Include a sheet detailing sponsorship levels and what is included with each.
   • 6
     Make a list of local businesses that have contributed to your charity in the past or that have developed a reputation for giving back to your community. Gather contact information for the individuals within those companies and businesses in charge of making decisions about corporate donations; this may be the owner or chief executive in some cases or the chair of an internal committee in others depending on how the company is organized.
   • 7
     Approach food and drink vendors about sponsoring your event with food and beverages for participants. Approach local retailers and ask them to donate items or gift cards as prizes to golfers in the event. Tell the retailers that their company names and logos will be included in the tournament program in recognition for their donations. Attempt to get as much of the administrative and operational aspects of the event covered by in-kind donations of food, drink and promotional items so that as much of the money as possible can go toward the cause and not get eaten up by the costs of the event.
   • 8
     Approach local newspapers, television and radio stations about the event, and ask them if they will advertise it at a free or reduced cost. Offer for a radio station to have a booth at the event where it can broadcast live, giving it recognition and giving you free publicity.

Posted in: Golf