Golfing under the lights can be both a fun and profitable fundraiser for your non-profit group.
Night golfing is popular all over the world. Various charitable organizations host night golf tournaments to raise funds. Hosting a night golf tournament poses many challenges obviously because it is dark and thus difficult to see the fairway/green, the hole, cart and most dangerous, fellow golfers. When hosting a night golf tournament you'll need the following equipment:
For the Golf Course:
- Tee Boxes - Mark tee boxes with colored light sticks; i.e. red for the shortest tee or blue for the longest tee.
- Illuminate Fairways and Hazards - Use green lights to mark the fairway and orange or red to mark hazards.
- The Flags - Golfers look for the flag in order to gauge where the hole is located. In the dark it is difficult to see a standard flag. During night golf events, flags should be enhanced by light sticks and/or glow in the dark badges.
- The Hole - A lit band or coil should be placed inside the cup to allow for better viewing of the hole.
- Golf Carts - For further safety, golf carts should be decorated with balloon lights, glow in the dark badges or light sticks.
Items for Golfers:
- Each golfer should take precautions to wear items that will allow them to be easily noticed by fellow golfers. Items such as glow in the dark necklaces or bracelets, flashing sunglasses or flashing lights that attach to your collar are pretty common. One idea is to give each registered golfer a necklace or bracelet. Other items can be sold to raise additional funds.
- Night golfers will also need to purchase special night golf balls. These balls come available in various colors including white, blue, green, pink, yellow and red. You can also select from balls that flash or remain lit. Each registered golfer can be given two balls. Again, you can make additional balls available for a fee.
- Players should be instructed to carry flashlights to assist them in seeing the course and selecting their clubs.
Night golf equipment is not readily available at sporting goods stores or pro shops. Equipment can be purchased at specialty shops such as NiteLite Golf or Night Flyer Golf.
To Make for a More Enjoyable and Profitable Event Consider the Following:
- Seek out sponsors for your event, starting with a golf course on which to hold the event. Place custom banners on golf and refreshment carts to advertise your sponsors.
- Host additional contests such as the Longest Drive or a Putting Contest. Be sure to charge an additional fee for participation in each event.
- Sell refreshments on refreshment carts. To add to the fun use novelty party supplies such as glow swizzle sticks, lighted ice cubes or glow in the dark glasses.
- Start tee times beginning at dusk. Arrange players in groups of no more than four. Schedule each group about 10-12 minutes apart.
- Have volunteers or staff monitors at each hole. If possible, have one volunteer at the tee boxes and another near the green. Event staff can help guide players to the next hole and assist with any concerns.
The copyright of the article Night Golf Events in Non-Profit Fundraising is owned by Dee Dee Smith. Permission to republish Night Golf Events in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
