Why Golf Tournaments Work for Fundraising
Golf tournaments hit a sweet spot:
- Built-in audience: Golfers are often professionals, business owners, and community leaders with capacity to give
- Time together: 4+ hours of captive attention (try getting that at a gala)
- Multiple revenue streams: Registration, sponsorships, contests, auctions, donations
- Repeat potential: A well-run tournament becomes an annual tradition
The key is layering fundraising opportunities throughout the day — not just relying on registration fees.
Registration Revenue
Your baseline. Price registration to cover costs plus margin:
- Green fees and cart
- Food and beverage
- Prizes and giveaways
- Administrative costs
Typical pricing: $150–$250 per player for charity scrambles. Higher for premium courses or VIP experiences.
Don't underprice. Players expect to pay for a quality event, and underpricing signals "amateur hour."
Sponsorship Revenue
Often the biggest chunk of fundraising dollars. Common sponsorship tiers:
- Title sponsor: $5,000–$25,000+ (naming rights, premium visibility)
- Platinum/Gold: $2,500–$5,000 (signage, foursomes, recognition)
- Hole sponsors: $100–$500 (sign at a tee box)
- Contest sponsors: $250–$1,000 (closest to pin, long drive)
- In-kind sponsors: Donate products/services instead of cash
A 144-player tournament with solid sponsorship sales can raise $20,000–$50,000+ beyond registration fees.
Mulligans
The easiest add-on sale. Players pay $5–$20 for a "do-over" shot.
- Sell at registration (checkout add-on) and at check-in
- Limit to 2–4 per player to keep it fair
- For a 120-player event at $10/mulligan with 60% participation: $720+
Pure margin. Costs you nothing to offer.
Raffle
Collect donated prizes and sell tickets throughout the day.
- Sell tickets in bundles ($20 for 10, $50 for 30)
- Display prizes prominently at registration and dinner
- Draw winners at the awards ceremony (keeps people around)
Good raffle prizes: golf equipment, rounds at nice courses, restaurant gift cards, sports tickets, electronics, weekend getaways.
Silent Auction
Higher-value items that deserve competitive bidding.
- Set up a table with bid sheets, or use mobile bidding software
- Include starting bid and bid increments
- Close bidding during dinner, announce winners
Best auction items: Unique experiences (golf trips, chef's dinners, concert packages), high-end equipment, memorabilia.
Live Auction
For your top 3–5 items. Requires an engaging auctioneer.
- Run during dinner when you have everyone's attention
- Keep it short — 15 minutes max
- Start with a mid-value item to warm up the crowd
A great auctioneer can double what items go for. Consider hiring a pro.
On-Course Contests
Turn contests into fundraising opportunities:
- Putting contest: $10–$20 entry, winner takes a prize (you keep the rest)
- Helicopter/Ball drop: Sell numbered balls, drop from a height, closest to target wins
- 50/50 raffle: Sell tickets, winner gets half the pot
- Beat the pro: $20 to try to outplay a local pro on one hole
Fund-a-Need / Paddle Raise
Direct appeal during dinner. The emcee asks for donations at specific levels:
"Who will give $1,000 to send a kid to camp this summer? Raise your paddle..."
Work down from high to low: $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50.
This can raise thousands in minutes if done well. Requires a compelling story and a confident ask.
Drink Packages
If the course allows, sell prepaid drink tickets or wristbands.
- $25–$40 for unlimited beer/wine
- Players love the convenience
- You keep the margin between what you pay and what you charge
Donations at Registration
Add an optional donation field during checkout:
- "Add $25 to support [cause]"
- "Round up to the nearest $50"
- Suggested amounts: $25, $50, $100
Low friction, and some percentage of players will add it without thinking twice.
Maximizing Your Fundraising
A few principles:
- Layer opportunities: Don't rely on one revenue stream. Combine registration + sponsorship + mulligans + raffle + auction.
- Make it easy: Online payment for everything. Don't make people dig for cash.
- Tell your story: People give more when they understand the impact. Share it throughout the day.
- Thank publicly: Recognize sponsors and donors. It encourages others and builds loyalty for next year.
- Follow up: Send thank-yous, share results, and start cultivating next year's supporters immediately.
Sample Revenue Breakdown
For a 120-player charity scramble:
- Registration (120 × $175): $21,000
- Sponsorships: $15,000
- Mulligans: $800
- Raffle: $2,500
- Silent auction: $3,000
- Donations: $1,500
- Total: $43,800
Minus expenses ($15,000–$20,000), that's $23,000–$28,000 raised in one day.
Final Thought
Golf tournaments are fundraising engines — but only if you build in multiple revenue streams. Start with registration and sponsorship, add mulligans and raffle, and don't be afraid to make a direct ask. The players are there because they support your cause. Give them ways to show it.
).png)
