1. What is the number one reason tournament directors do not maximize their events bottom line?

   In most cases, tournament planners do not allow enough time to plan their annual events. We suggest you begin the planning process at least nine months prior to your tournament date.

2. How can I generate even more income when selling mulligans?

   Usually two mulligans are sold with the thought of one mulligan being used on each nine holes. Trying to control the use of mulligans on the course is difficult because golfers tend to "forget" how many mulligans they purchased. Try this strategy to control the use of mulligans and to sell even more mulligans on the back side. Tie two ribbons or balloons per player to each golf cart upon the initial purchase. As each player uses his mulligans during their round of golf they would then be required to remove the ribbon or pop the balloon. To generate additional income have committee members selling emergency mulligans on the back nine or sooner. Again, this strategy will allow you the opportunity to create more revenue and operate a mulligan program that really will accurately manage itself.

3. What is the best way to plan and organize any golf event?

   I would recommend two products. One would be a twelve month tournament time line organizer which lays out in advance all the steps that need to be executed at different intervals of the event planning process. Also, The Golf Tournament Planning eToolkit available from All About Golf Tournament Planning provides a step-by-step tournament planning and organizing tool that covers in detail every facet of golf tournament planning.

4. Our company is operating a golf tournament for our customers and I've been appointed tournament coordinator. I have very little experience in actually planning an event of this magnitude. What should I do?

   If you can delegate you can plan and operate a successful golf event. The first thing I would suggest is to find a tournament chairperson. DO NOT appoint yourself as the tournament director. This appointed individual will work under your direction, look for an individual who participates in golf events in your community, loves the game and has an influential circle of contacts and friends.

5. What is the number one reason tournament directors do not maximize their events bottom line?

   In most cases, tournament planners do not allow enough time to plan their annual events. We suggest you begin the planning process at least nine months prior to your tournament date.

6. What kind of tournament makes the biggest impact in a community?

   Either a Celebrity-Am or a Pro-Am...or a combination of the two. A professional who I worked for used to operate and promote these type of events successfully by combining the two. He would recruit PGA Professionals from the local section and a sprinkling of professional athletes both active and retired along with local radio and television. Amateurs love this format because they get to play golf with professionals and the community responds by attending the event which really makes it a special event. The media coverage for your event is also expanded automatically because of the celebrities in the field.

7. We are planning our first event what should we realistically expect to profit for our charity?

   There are approximately 500,000 tournaments operated annually and the average profit margin is $5,000. If you plan your event properly and utilize planning tools available you should easily obtain this profit range and possibly exceed it.

8. What is the single most important strategy in making any tournament a financial success?

   Without a doubt the tournament director and committee must realize that sponsors, volunteers and players are the events most valuable asset. When that type of attitude is adopted and carried out in every phase of the tournament planning and execution golf tournaments can be highly successful.

9. How can we provide more value for our sponsors?

   Institute a title sponsor position for the tournament and include more creative marketing strategies. For example, include the title sponsors logo on all your tournament give-aways...shirts, hats, etc. The title sponsor receives more exposure and the title sponsorship category commands a higher fee which generates even more revenue for the tournament.

Tournament Planning entrepreneur Mike Mucci of All About Golf Tournament Planning has been involved in all phases of the golf industry for more than 30 years. Mucci operates a web site specifically designed to assist golf tournament planners in all aspects of tournament planning at www.golftp1.com. You can address your tournament planning questions to Mike at mamucci@golftp1.com