Page 37 - GBC Fall 2024 ENG

bright irrigation flags for all the participants. As each foursome tees off on the hole, they mark their drives with the flags, creating a visually engaging contest. The winner is the golfer who lands closest to a sprinkler head!
With much higher demand on the tee sheets since the pandemic, many facilities now offer crossover tournaments off the 1st and 10th hole instead of the traditional full shotgun tournaments. Sponsors can get more exposure and help add to the enjoyment of the day, by coming up with more activities that are done off the course; and can be run before and after the tournament starts/ ends. One suggestion is to utilize a launch monitor on the driving range (instead of a hole) and you can run your Long Drive Competition OR Name Your Yardage competition there. This gives your players some additional entertainment outside of the 18-hole play.
Most league players and tournament attendees expect that Live Scoring is available during the
event to help add to the excitement. This could either be a handheld option or in conjunction with the power carts, for instance Club Car’s visage system has this option; as does the Gallus Golf APP.
When working with your convenors running leagues or a golf tournament, you may also want to suggest that they consider using an Event Management Software. This software can create a website for player registration; handle online sponsor sales, auctions, e-commerce, budget management, and communication. It streamlines operations and enhances the overall event experience.
AND FINALLY, THEMES
One of the best ways to improve a tournament is by adding a theme to it. Themes have a certain charm to them and lend themselves well to more interesting experiences.
In the fall of 2023, the NGCOA Canada – Southwestern Ontario Chapter Golf Invitational was being held at the start of the Major League Baseball playoffs. With the Toronto Blue Jays making the playoffs and the host venue only a short drive from the stadium, the decision was made to go with a Blue Jays theme, which included:
• an award for the Coolest Blue Jays Fan Team Selfie (as golfers were instructed to wear their favourite Blue Jays Jerseys and caps),
• a home run derby (long drive competition),
• a pitching accuracy challenge (chipping contest), • around the horn putting contest,
• a tailgate lunch buffet, and more!
Lots of laughter, tons of photos, and big smiles. At the end of the day, the golfers and sponsors left our tournament very happy and talking about how much fun they had. That sounds like a successful event to me!
Golf Business Canada
Golf Business Canada 37