Get Serious About Volunteers

Recently we had a couple of discouraged tournament coordinators call us desperately asking for advice. Despite having a golf tournament committee they found that most of the team did not deliver on promises and never responded to phone or email requests for help. Guess what? - One person was doing all the work. Sound familiar?

While it may appear easier to plan a golf tournament yourself, than to deal with volunteers, do not attempt to organize a tournament alone.

It is more work than you think. Organizing a golf tournament is some of the most time-consuming work for a group. There are endless details; it takes longer to secure sponsorship dollars than anticipated and, yes, volunteers’ enthusiasm always disappears, leaving a few committee members to do all the work.

Strength in numbers. The saying, “There is strength in numbers” truly applies to golf tournament planning. Even professional tournament planners rely on an active committee of four to eight workers to host a really successful event. Aside from sharing the work, committee members contribute great ideas and have relationships with potential sponsors and golfers.

Choosing volunteers. Some individuals join because they have a personal connection with your organization, others want to receive recognition and others just want to be part of a group. Find out why someone is interested in joining the committee and how they can contribute to the golf tournament’s success.  Everyone who joins the committee should be prepared to contribute time, money or contacts.