10 Strokes to a Great Golf Tournament

10 Strokes to a Great

Golf Tournament

1. Pick a format. A scramble is most forgiving because it allows players of all skill levels to compete. With this approach, every player tees off, but the golf team (usually a foursome) plays the ball with the best lie. Subsequent shots are played the same way. Variations include a Texas scramble, requiring teams to play at least four drives from each player during a game.

2. Find sponsors. This is usually how a golf tournament makes a profit. Unless the association is subsidizing the outing, players will pay a fee, generally covering the cost of the golf and a meal. Companies often sponsor a hole, a contest or gift bags.

3. Recruit players. Get the word out early, and have deadlines to help with planning. Form a golf committee. If each member can recruit several foursomes, you’ll soon have enough for a tournament.

4. Use a shotgun start. Each team is assigned to a certain hole where it will start play. They then play through the course until completing 18 holes. This avoids back-ups, and the tournament finishes more quickly.

5. Remember the refreshment cart. Most courses have mobile drinks stands on wheels. It may be set up as a cash bar, or refreshments can be underwritten, much like an open bar at an event. Association officers and sponsors welcome the chance to staff the cart and personally deliver drinks to players.

6. Offer several contests. It can be the longest drive, the drive closest to the hole, longest putt or the drive that lands closest to the center of the fairway. The more contests you have, the more volunteers you’ll need to monitor them and the more prizes you’ll need. But you’ll also have more winners.

7. Try a hole-in-one competition. Getting a hole-in-one is a rarity, so prizes are memorable, often a new car or even a million-dollar check. Companies sell insurance to cover the cost if someone wins. And sponsors love to be associated with such a high-visibility event. As for the odds of nailing an ace? About.com’s golf guide Brent Kelley, citing several sources, suggests that for an average player, it’s 10,000-15,000 to one.

8. Sell mulligans. Let players buy the chance to re-do a bad shot. This can help offset costs, or raise additional funds.

9. Provide luncheons and prizes. After golfing, players welcome a chance to glory in their drives or curse a wayward putt. Many courses can even provide the trophies and awards.

10. Thank everyone. After a first golf tournament, members will expect one again. Make sure to thank your sponsors, volunteers and players. You’ll want them all back next year.

1. Pick a format. A scramble is most forgiving because it allows players of all skill levels to compete. With this approach, every player tees off, but the golf team (usually a foursome) plays the ball with the best lie. Subsequent shots are played the same way. Variations include a Texas scramble, requiring teams to play at least four drives from each player during a game.

2. Find sponsors. This is usually how a golf tournament makes a profit. Unless the association is subsidizing the outing, players will pay a fee, generally covering the cost of the golf and a meal. Companies often sponsor a hole, a contest or gift bags.

3. Recruit players. Get the word out early, and have deadlines to help with planning. Form a golf committee. If each member can recruit several foursomes, you’ll soon have enough for a tournament.

4. Use a shotgun start. Each team is assigned to a certain hole where it will start play. They then play through the course until completing 18 holes. This avoids back-ups, and the tournament finishes more quickly.

5. Remember the refreshment cart. Most courses have mobile drinks stands on wheels. It may be set up as a cash bar, or refreshments can be underwritten, much like an open bar at an event. Association officers and sponsors welcome the chance to staff the cart and personally deliver drinks to players.

6. Offer several contests. It can be the longest drive, the drive closest to the hole, longest putt or the drive that lands closest to the center of the fairway. The more contests you have, the more volunteers you’ll need to monitor them and the more prizes you’ll need. But you’ll also have more winners.

7. Try a hole-in-one competition. Getting a hole-in-one is a rarity, so prizes are memorable, often a new car or even a million-dollar check. Companies sell insurance to cover the cost if someone wins. And sponsors love to be associated with such a high-visibility event. As for the odds of nailing an ace? About.com’s golf guide Brent Kelley, citing several sources, suggests that for an average player, it’s 10,000-15,000 to one.

8. Sell mulligans. Let players buy the chance to re-do a bad shot. This can help offset costs, or raise additional funds.

9. Provide luncheons and prizes. After golfing, players welcome a chance to glory in their drives or curse a wayward putt. Many courses can even provide the trophies and awards.

10. Thank everyone. After a first golf tournament, members will expect one again. Make sure to thank your sponsors, volunteers and players. You’ll want them all back next year.