A Guide for Nonprofits on Unlocking the Unique Power of Golf Tournaments

Insights from Ben Parker, Director of Philanthropy

*Golf tournament fundraiser at Victoria National*

Golfers want to give. Your job as a nonprofit? Make it easy, meaningful—and fun.

A charity golf tournament fundraiser isn’t just a day on the course, it’s a golden opportunity to bring people together, raise awareness, and generate serious support for your mission. But here’s the catch: many nonprofits get stuck in the weeds trying to plan a picture-perfect event, sometimes focusing more on swag bags than strategy.

From filling the field to attracting sponsors, the logistics can get overwhelming. And without a solid plan, even the best intentions can fall flat. That’s why nonprofits need smart, proven golf tournament fundraising strategies that do more than entertain—they inspire generosity and deepen donor engagement.

In this guide, Ben Parker draws on over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector to share five winning fundraising strategies: building a strong foundation with an influential council, ensuring participants know the goal, streamlining fundraising with a super ticket, crafting a memorable exit, and hosting a pre-tournament event. Plus, a bonus tip.

Discover how well-executed strategies transform your golf tournament into a fundraising powerhouse.

Ready to raise more money with your golf tournament? Let’s tee it up.

1. Create a Council to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Golf Tournament Fundraiser

The most successful golf tournaments don’t begin at check-in; they start long before tee time. Months in advance, form an informal council of 8 to 12 passionate golfers, led by an “Honorary Chair”. This person could be a well-known donor, community leader, or loyal sponsor. Their mission? Recruit like-minded community influencers to serve on the informal council.

The council has three critical assignments.

Lead by example. Each member should purchase and play on a team. Their presence sets the tone and shows their commitment.

Fill the field. Recruit 3–4 additional teams, building momentum and relieving pressure from the tournament director’s burden.

Bring in resources. From securing sponsorships to collecting raffle prizes and in-kind donations, the council’s networks are key.

Keep the group laser-focused on fundraising—steer them away from distractions like planning pin placements and picking polos. On tournament day, publicly recognize the council’s contributions and invite the Honorary Chair to speak. Their passion will energize the room and elevate the cause.

A strong council will transform your tournament from a fun day of golf into a strategic fundraising win.

2. Every Participant Must Know the Fundraising Goal

This is one of the most overlooked—but most powerful—fundraising strategies for your golf tournament: Ensure that every single participant understands the “why” behind your event by sharing the goal.

Too often, golfers leave unaware of the fundraising goal or even the cause itself, distracted by prizes, the post-round party, or who won the longest drive. Make the fundraising goal the heartbeat of the event. Don’t let the mission of your tournament get lost in the mix.

Instead, make the goal the heartbeat of your event. Communicate it clearly and early:

Send the goal in pre-event emails

Post the goal on your registration site and social media

Reinforce the goal through signage, word of mouth, and opening remarks

Then, keep the goal front and center on event day. Not unlike a telethon running total, golf tournaments require some guesswork until the final tally. Tools like GolfStatus display real-time giving totals and motivate golfers to contribute. GolfStatus has captured thousands of data points on successful tournaments, offering unmatched software and support to streamline your efforts. Use these tools to help you deliver results in real-time.

Once the final amount is raised, build anticipation with a dramatic reveal—think giant checks or confetti cannons. Invite beneficiaries to share stories and thank golfers, creating an emotional connection that lingers. If your participants leave feeling inspired, they’ll remember more than the scorecard—they’ll remember your mission.

3. Streamline Giving with a Super Ticket

Asking golfers to open their wallets at every hole? That’s a surefire way to trigger donor fatigue—and frustrate your participants.

Donor fatigue happens when people are hit with too many fundraising requests, too often. In the case of golf tournaments, it’s when every tee box feels like another ask.

Enter the super ticket.

A super ticket is an all-inclusive ticket covering all contests, raffles, and on-course opportunities—rolled into one upfront purchase. No more nickel-and-diming golfers hole by hole. Just one simple, strategic contribution.

I credit Travis Miller of PGA Memes for introducing me to the super ticket strategy. Travis nails the strategy by announcing upfront that the super ticket is the primary way to support the cause, stressing that without everyone’s contribution, the goal won’t be met. For example, if the super ticket is $150 and 100 golfers get the super ticket, a goal within the final goal of $15,000 will be met.

Implement the super ticket seamlessly during event registration or with signage including QR codes for payment on your event website at check-in and throughout the course. This streamlined approach keeps golfers focused on the cause and the fun, ensuring broad participation. It’s a smarter, smoother way to fundraise—minus the “pesky teenager asking for cash” vibes.

You can complement the super ticket with a 50/50 cash raffle or post-tournament auctions.

A super ticket is one of the most effective and psychologically positive golf tournament fundraising ideas you can implement.

Learn more about donor appreciation gifts

4. Keep Golfers Engaged Until the End

It's important to keep your participants engaged throughout the whole event. Too many events lose participants early—often referred to as “trunk slammers”—those who leave immediately after their round, skipping post-event messaging, raffles, and auction opportunities.

And while some may have legitimate scheduling conflicts, many simply don’t see a compelling reason to stay, especially if they know they didn’t win or that the closing program is long-winded, repetitive, or lacks energy.

To reduce donor fatigue and ensure your golf tournament fundraising ends on a high note, focus on crafting a memorable, efficient, and mission-forward close.

Simplify raffles by pre-selecting winners and clearly labeling prizes, allowing for quick and easy distribution. Save the excitement and pageantry for a grand prize drawing.

Create a memorable incentive like a “secret prize room,” where winners can choose from premium items such as Milwaukee drill sets, a new grill or tech gadgets—adding a layer of anticipation and excitement. Consider a secret prize room, where winners pick from exciting items, sparking cartoon-like anticipation.

Integrate your mission throughout the event by involving beneficiaries—such as veterans, children, or therapy animals—on the course to foster personal connections with participants. Integrate the cause on the course with beneficiaries like children, veterans, or rescue puppies for personal interactions.

Close with purpose. At the exit, celebrate with music, confetti, and a fundraising goal revealed to make golfers feel proud. Keep closing remarks concise, heartfelt, and centered on the mission.

Steward Donors Post Event

5. Host a Pre-Tournament Event That Unlocks Giving

Does your nonprofit want to unlock the full fundraising potential of your golf tournament? The magic often happens the night before.

Host a pre-tournament event like a welcome reception or mini-gala. Invite the informal council and their friends, spouses, and supporters to dive deep into the cause. Feature a short video or heartfelt remarks from someone directly impacted by your cause—a grateful patient, veteran, or pet rescue story can create powerful emotional resonance. Keep the environment warm and sincere. The goal: create connection, not just conversation. Keep it intimate. Keep it mission focused.

Here’s why this works: It separates your most engaged audience from the noise of tournament day. With fewer distractions, you can focus on storytelling and structured giving.

Consider a live auction at the pre-tournament event with five to seven thoughtfully chosen, high-value items. This is the sweet spot—enough variety to excite bidders without overwhelming them. And don’t underestimate the power of a professional auctioneer. I’ve seen skilled auctioneers increase bids dramatically.

The key is to curate meaningful items. Tap into your advisory council’s network for unique experiences—think vacation homes, suite tickets to major sporting events or concerts, or one-of-a-kind access opportunities.

Pro tip: Avoid over-reliance on consignment items. While convenient, they often involve revenue splits that reduce your net proceeds. Instead, tap into your network and council for donated auction items. It’s worth the effort and tells your donors you care about the net result. For example, you can request consideration from Dormie Network Foundation, for unforgettable golf experiences with 100% of the proceeds going back to your nonprofit.

4-step guide to Hosting a Charity Auction

Just remember that not every donor is ready to raise a paddle in public, but that doesn’t mean they won’t give generously. Always offer a discreet giving option like a silent donation because not everyone is ready to raise a paddle in public. Pre-tournament events are a nice evening where you've engaged donors with your mission and message and offered them a quiet place to raise their paddle or make a silent donation. This is where real fundraising magic happens.

Bonus: Should Your Golf Tournament Fundraiser Be Competitive or Casual?

The Lanto Charity Classic at Ballyhack Golf Club in 2022 — *The Lanto Charity Classic at Ballyhack Golf Club in 2023*

The tone of your tournament matters—and choosing between a competitive or casual format can shape the success of your fundraiser.

Some tournaments are built for serious golfers. Think: no mulligans, knowing the rules of the game, and scorecards that mean something. This competitive style appeals to influential business leaders and high-level players, especially at private venues like Victoria National, the #1 course in Indiana, and one of the most challenging courses in the country. In some instances, it’s best to keep the fundraising efforts separate (think crowded tee boxes, with signage, tents, volunteers) from the day of golf. Use tools like super tickets or a pre-tournament event for fundraising to generate donations without interrupting play. Always check with the GM, Director of Golf and Head Pro to understand what’s preferred.

Other tournaments thrive on fun. If you're hosting your golf tournament fundraiser at a more relaxed or public course, lean into that vibe. Add million-dollar shot contests, cornhole at the turn, walk-up songs on the tee box, live music, and barbecue for lunch. This casual style encourages participation from a wider audience, creating an inclusive, high-energy experience that still drives results.

Both approaches can succeed, given golf’s booming popularity and the cause you’re supporting. The venue’s character—private and prestigious or lively and open—guides your choice, ensuring your tournament resonates with participants while hitting fundraising goals.

Conclusion: Your Golf Tournament Fundraising Blueprint

Running a successful golf tournament fundraiser demands strategies that leverage powerful networks and focus on impactful dollars aka transformational giving. It’s the hope of every charity golf event to unlock the potential network of people involved.

From building an informal council and rallying golfers around the goal to streamlining fundraising with super tickets, crafting memorable exits, hosting pre-tournament receptions, and choosing the right vibe, these strategies alleviate burdens and amplify impact.

Golfers love giving back and how they are asked and by whom is a big deal. Many will quite literally give the shirt off their backs when asked for the right cause. They have a stack of invites every year and you want them to always choose your event. And with golf being more popular than ever, high-net-worth donor golfers are seeking out well-run events that match their time allowance, passion and purpose.