Golf Outing Planning - getting started

OK now you have to get started planing the Golf Outing. The first step is set some goals and define what is a successful golf outing event.

What is the Purpose of the Event?

There are many reason to have a golf outing and many times the goals over lap. It is a good idea to define the purpose of the event and set some goals.

Some typical goals for a golf outing: Fundraising; Entertaining Clients, Donors or Volunteers; Competition (a tournament not an outing); Social; Raise Awareness of Cause or Organization

               

18th Hole Edgmont Country Club 

Think out the purpose for the event. It may be a combination of the reasons listed above or others. Write the purpose down! It will help with the decision making in all areas of planning and executing the event. It will also help to sell the golf outing event to sponsors, players and volunteers.

Example:

                       

The Purpose of the  (organization name) Golf Outing held on (date) at Edgmont Country Club  is to (fill in blank). The Mission of  (organization name) is (state mission).

            Set event goals for attendance, fundraising, and numbers of sponsors.
            Again, write them down.

• Be realistic
• The economy may be good or it may be not so good keep that in mind.
• Understand your support base. Can you market a $10, $50, $150, $250 or a $1000 fee to your base of supporters. It is necessary to understand your support base very well when picking a price point for you event. 
• How established is your golf outing.
• Is it a new event?  May be harder to accurately set numbers
• Has attendance been increasing or decreasing the past 2-3 years
• Understand the level of interest in your cause or organization and you core support base and plan accordingly. Other events may make more sense than a golf outing.
• Golf Outing vs Golf Event; Auction; Beef & Beer, 5 K run/walk
• Understand the resources available to your organization.
• You many have more resources than you think even if you are just getting started. Networking with you committee and friends will help find much of what you need to be successful.
• Set 1-3-5 year goals
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• Communicate the goals to your organization, committee member & volunteers, sponsors, and players.
• People want to know "Why are you doing all of this work and why should I help you?" If you know why you are doing it it will help you to communicate it to others. 
• It will also help you in the future and people see your passion and vision for your organization and may help as a volunteer or sponsor.

Getting this upfront thinking done will help you communicate a vision for the event. It will also help you and your team to make decisions consistent with the goals for the golf outing and the mission of the organization all along the planning process.

Edgmont Country Club does offer a class on how to manage and improve your golf outing. Also our experienced staff is ready to answer your questions