New Ideas for Golf Scramble to Increase Revenue

By M.L. Rose

In a scramble format each member of a golf team -- which usually includes four players -- hits from the tee. The team then chooses one ball position, and everyone plays a second shot from that spot. Play continues in this manner until someone holes out.

This format helps to speed play because bad shots are essentially discarded, and every player has a realistic chance of making a positive contribution. For these reasons, the scramble is a popular format for golf tournaments. A scramble golf tournament offers numerous ways to raise money over and above players' entry fees.

Sponsorships

Local businesses may be interested in helping sponsor your event, particularly if you can demonstrate that the participants are from a desirable demographic. If you’re running a charity event, sponsors may also hope to gain goodwill. A company may be a primary sponsor and have its name or logo displayed prominently at the tournament. Businesses may also sponsor individual holes or on-course contests. Earn additional revenue by including sponsors’ names or logos on printed materials, such as the tournament’s announcement letter or “save-the-date” postcard, the tournament program, or the rules sheet passed out before the event begins.

Contests

You can sell extra tickets for a variety of contests held before, during or after the scramble. For example, you can hold a putting contest in which players qualify by sinking a 12-foot putt. Each ticket a player buys gives him one opportunity to make the putt. You can also hold a driving challenge on a par-3 hole. Paint a circle around the hole with a radius of 10 or 15 feet (depending on the anticipated quality of your golfers). Allow players to purchase a $10 or $20 opportunity to hit their tee shots into the circle.

Auctions and Raffle

If you hold a post-tournament auction or raffle, maximize the opportunity for each participant to bid or to buy tickets. If your scramble tournament has a website, post photos of the prizes. Allow time on the day of the event for participants to view and bid on the prizes before the scramble begins and after the golfing ends. If you’re offering prizes for winning teams or for various contests, save your most expensive prizes for the auction or raffle.

Celebrity Involvement

If your scramble is a charity event you may be able to get some local celebrities to participate. If so, use them to generate extra revenue. Participants may pay a higher entry fee to sit at a celebrity’s table during the post-tournament meal. Have participants buy tickets they can exchange for celebrities’ autographs or for the opportunity to have their picture taken with a celebrity.

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