| Hosting a mini golf tournament is a great fundraiser | | | | customers such as two-for-one coupon given to all |
| for school clubs, youth sports teams, church groups, | | | | players. Or, a business could offer a prize to |
| and cheerleading squads. It's great fun and done right, | | | | everyone who beats a certain score or gets a hole in |
| a mini golf fundraiser can raise considerable funds. | | | | one on the 18th hole. |
| Getting started | | | | Besides sponsorships, you can also ask businesses to |
| You will need to arrange a place to play and that's | | | | donate items or services to use as prizes for lowest |
| best done well in advance. Seasonal factors will | | | | score, best bank shot, etc. |
| affect price and availability, but most of the time you | | | | Fundraising activities |
| can arrange either a flat payment for exclusive | | | | There are lots of activities you can include at your |
| facility use or a per game fee that's substantially | | | | mini golf tournament to raise funds. Your group can |
| lower than standard rates. | | | | sell raffle tickets for a donated prize or, lacking a |
| To maximize attendance, price your golf event | | | | suitable prize, conduct a 50/50 cash raffle where the |
| tickets at reasonable prices. Offer attractive | | | | winning ticket gets half the raffle sales amount. |
| variations like a flat-rate family ticket or discounts for | | | | Food and drink sales is another source of potential |
| students or advance purchases. | | | | profits. With course owner permission, you could |
| Publicity | | | | even run your own concession stand offering grilled |
| Once you have a date booked, you will need to | | | | hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas, etc. |
| publicize your event. To get the word out, put | | | | You can also offer silent auctions of donated goods |
| together a press release and get it the major media | | | | and services. Place the items along with attractive |
| outlets in your market. Keep the focus on the most | | | | descriptions and bid sheets on tables near high-traffic |
| newsworthy aspect of your mini golf tournament, | | | | spots. Be sure to tape down paper and pens to |
| such as why you are raising funds and what the | | | | make it easy for players to get in a quick bid while |
| ultimate benefit of your golf fundraiser will be. | | | | still holding their putter. |
| For example, if you are raising funds to help a | | | | And don't forget to ask for donations. You can |
| specific person with medical expenses, feature that | | | | oftentimes raise a considerable amount just by |
| person's story in the press release. If you are raising | | | | placing a jug labeled donations right next to where |
| funds for a cause, focus your story angle on the | | | | players pay for their rounds. |
| positive effect those dollars will provide. | | | | Summary |
| And don't forget to use posters in store windows, | | | | A mini golf fundraiser is fantastic fun and can be a |
| community newsletters, email, and other methods to | | | | very profitable event if done right. Maximize your |
| stimulate interest in you golf tournament. | | | | turnout through getting plenty of advance publicity. |
| Profit tips | | | | Employ multiple fundraising activities to generate |
| One way to raise funds is to get local businesses to | | | | additional funds. Conduct raffles and silent auctions or |
| sponsor a hole. Keep the prices reasonable, such as | | | | run your own concession stand. Offer prizes for low |
| $25 to $75 per hole. Sponsors would get signs | | | | scores or conduct a hole-in-one contest. |
| acknowledging their contribution beside each putting | | | | Make your event as much fun as possible and you'll |
| tee. | | | | be surprised at how well you do with your mini golf |
| Think like a business person and encourage sponsors | | | | fundraiser! |
| to offer something creative that will bring them | | | | |