American Hole 'n One's Blog

If you are planning a golf tournament, finding sponsors may feel like a daunting task. While sponsors are key to maximizing profits at your golf tournament or hole in one contest, where do you start? How can you conduct outreach? What will sponsors get in return? There are many aspects to consider in golf tournament sponsorship, but with a little bit of planning, you can make your golf tournament a true success by securing great sponsors. Check out these tips for securing golf tournament sponsorships at your next charity golf event.

Charity Golf Tournament Sponsorship Basics

If you’re new to the non-profit world and charity golf tournament sponsorships, the foundation behind non-profit sponsorships is to show the sponsor the value they will receive in exchange for their donation. The first question a prospective sponsor will ask is, “What will I get in return?” Keep this in mind during your planning and sponsor outreach.

Sponsors will have very specific goals in mind for what they want to get in return for their sponsorship. Most sponsors will want to increase brand awareness. It can also be an opportunity for sponsors to entertain clients and offers networking opportunities within the community. If your golf tournament is to raise money for a specific charity, it can be an opportunity for a company to align their brand with a core set of values.

Timelines for Golf Tournament Sponsorship

Getting organized and planning your golf tournament in advance will be key to your success. Give yourself enough time not only for local outreach, but to give your sponsors enough notice to plan how they would like to promote at your event.

Who Should I Reach Out to for Golf Tournament Sponsorship?

Create a list of potential prospects. Start by having committee members write down potential sponsors in their network including friends, family, and acquaintances. Don’t be afraid to reach out to customers and clients to support your event, too. You can also find appropriate networking opportunities at conferences, trade shows, sporting associations, local chambers of commerce, and at alumni of your University. Finally, create a list of prominent local businesses in the area to reach out to.

Before you start the outreach, be sure to put together a list of golf tournament sponsorship options.

Golf Tournament Sponsorship Options

Sponsors are going to want plenty of options and to be successful, we recommend having several levels of opportunities in place. Sponsors have different needs and budgets, so make sure you have a good mix of sponsorship packages at various levels. Create sponsorship packages which clearly outline the contribution of companies and what they will receive in return. This will help companies take the initiative to sponsor your event.

There are many ways to structure your sponsorship opportunities, three of which are listed below:

• Sponsor a Hole at a Golf Tournament: One golf tournament sponsorship opportunity could be to allow companies to sponsor a hole at a golf tournament with golf signage at each hole of the course. Or, you can have a local business sponsor a hole in one contest, which gets them signage at the contest and at the entrance of the tournament. Another idea for a charity golf tournament sponsorship is a golf cart level, where the sponsor’s logo is on all golf carts.
• Sponsorship Levels: Another charity golf tournament sponsorship idea is to have levels with various sponsorship opportunities. For instance, a sponsorship of $1,000 can get the sponsor’s name on brochures, registration table signs, and the tournament website, while a $5,000 sponsorship includes mentions by the event’s emcee, a large banner logo, and flyers in the participants gift bags.
• Title Sponsor: The largest donor can hold a Title Sponsor position and receive the most value-added opportunities, such as large banner logo, a link on the website, and a designated table during dinner.

As a good rule of thumb, place the benefits the sponsors receive at roughly 25% of the total sponsorship. For example, if the Title Sponsor donates $10,000, they should receive benefits valued at roughly $2,500.

Create a Winning Charity Golf Tournament Sponsorship Proposal

To secure charity golf tournament sponsorships, it’s important to create a great sponsorship proposal template. Be sure to explain the mission and purpose of your golf tournament, as well as the outlined sponsorship opportunities. Instead of sending an e-blast that can get lost in any inbox, send a letter on your club’s letterhead. Address the proposal template to the decision maker and always, always, always follow up with a phone call. A phone call is much more personal than just a simple letter. And, it will give the prospect an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about your golf tournament.

High Quality Sponsorship Signage

Make your sponsors happy with state-of-the-art signage. National Hole-in-One offers 24-hour turnaround time for high-quality, long-lasting signs using our in-house printing facility. We will customize, process, and produce your golf signs and golf banners quickly for your golf tournament. Your sponsors will appreciate that you went the extra mile to prominently display their logo at the event.

Create a Hole in One Contest with the Help from National Hole-in-One

Creating a golf tournament contest is key to generating excitement for your sponsors. Fun contests, a professional feel, and a great atmosphere will make your golf tournament a success for both sponsors and players. Some golf tournament contest ideas include a hole in one contest, longest drive contest, closest to the pin, and putting contest. These contests generate a ton of buzz among players looking for some friendly competition and sponsors will enjoy putting their name next to such a fun event.

At National Hole-in-One, we cover the cost of the selected prize and assume full responsibility should someone make a qualifying hole in one. For just a small fee, you can advertise big prizes like elaborate vacations for two, cars, furniture, and cash prizes. To learn more about hole in one insurance, get in touch with our specialists today by filling out our online contact form.