Tournaments / Charity events
How to run a charity golf event
Charity golf days raise money through entry fees, sponsorships, and side-bets. Here is the structure that maximises both the take and the player experience.
A charity golf day has three goals at once: raise money, give players a great day, and tell a story the charity can use afterwards. Get the format right and all three work in support of each other.
The format
Charity events almost always run as a 4-person scramble — friendliest for mixed skill, fastest to play, easiest to organise. Shotgun start in the morning, lunch and awards by 4 PM.
Revenue streams
A typical day raises 65-75% from entries and the rest from extras:
- Foursome entry fees — typically $400-$1,200 per team depending on venue
- Hole sponsorships — $250-$1,000 per hole with on-course signage
- Title sponsor — single naming sponsor, often $5,000-$25,000
- Side-bets — mulligans, raffle, longest-drive entry, beat-the-pro hole
- Auction — silent auction at lunch with donated experience prizes
Branded leaderboard
A branded leaderboard with the charity's logo, projected at the post-round lunch, gives the day a finish that volunteers and players remember. GolfStack Tournament tier produces branded leaderboards and a PDF report you can hand the charity board the next day.
Related guides
How to run a corporate golf event
Corporate golf days bring 30-200 players to a course for a day. Here is what to organise, in what order, and how to use GolfStack for scoring and the leaderboard.
Running a golf society leaderboard
Golf societies run monthly competitions and seasonal points races. Here is how to structure a season-long leaderboard, including handicap adjustments and season-end prizes.