American Hole 'n One's Blog

Have you been put in charge of organizing a golf tournament recently? Perhaps you, or someone you know has the responsibility of organizing, promoting, and executing the next 'big' golf tournament in your community.

Whether this is your first tournament to organize, or you have successfully organized many tournaments before, there are a few do's and don'ts to consider before the first tee shot on the day of the tournament.

Let's take a look at some do's and don'ts that can only serve you in helping you put together a successful golf tournament for players, spectators, and sponsors alike.

DO

Before you begin to organize any aspect of this tournament, put together a staff of like-minded individuals such as yourself. Make sure that everybody on your tournament staff is well-informed about their specific tasks and hold meetings regularly to update the overall progress of the tournament. Choose people that are good at the specific things that will make this tournament a success. For instance, you might have a member of the local chamber of commerce that would be ideal for approaching area businesses about sponsorship packages.

After your staff is in place and working toward the end goal, develop a budget and make sure that these staff members stick to it!

Also, if you happen to know of a particular tournament in the recent past that was a huge success, ask who organized that tournament and contact them for some good, sound tournament organizing advice!

DON'T

Don't try and do everything by yourself. That's what your staff is for, delegating specific tournament needs.  Nobody likes a burned out tournament director and the likelihood of promoting a successful tournament this way is next to impossible. Don't forget to hold regular meetings with your tournament staff to ensure that everything is progressing along.

DO 

Do your homework. Plan every step of every minute down to the last detail. Everything needs a plan. From the charity that the tournament is for, to the course where it will be played at, and everything in between. 

Make a round of golf at the course where the tournament will be played as a piece of regular staff meeting to address any trouble spots on the course with regard to players and spectators

DON'T

Don't wait until the week before the tournament to begin securing sponsors, food vendors, or anything that could be hindered by being delayed. Make sure that your tournament is on the tip of everybody's tongue in town for at least 6 months prior to the event.

Don't underestimate such things as players attending, or spectators watching. All of these people will be looking for an awesome event, so give it to them by not letting any little detail fall through the cracks!

DO 

Plan on some sort of activity, game, or other entertaining quality for the players at each tee box. This would be a good chance to offer your sponsors some exposure by having them sponsor a particular hole on the course and providing something of an entertaining value to each player when they play through that hole. 

Another good area for your sponsors is in your first, second, and third place grand prizes. Be sure and mention these sponsors by name during the event and particularly at the awards ceremony.

Do remember that American Hole in One is also your one-stop shop for those ultimate grand prizes. Go ahead and put American Hole in One on your 'to-do' list for this tournament!

DON'T

Don't let your players sit idle with nothing to do while waiting for the next tee box. As groups play through, have something to entertain your players such as a game of chance by spinning a wheel for a prize, or a chance to hydrate and snack on something while waiting.

DON'T forget to have fun yourself. Even the event organizer deserves a bit of fun during a tournament that he or she has worked so hard to put together!

And DON'T be surprised when the tournament is all said and done that the players and spectators alike have already named YOU the tournament organizer for next year's tournament!