Novices, pros can enjoy well-planned golf events

Business Report Correspondent

Whether you play like Tiger Woods or your ball lands in the woods, having your business host a golf event can be easy if you plan ahead.

These charity or team-building occasions are fairly straightforward, says Susan Holden Walsh, president of Boulder-based Holden McClure, a marketing and public relations firm. “You should determine if the marketing of it is to be internal, to reach employees, or external to create exposure. Even a charity event creates some exposure.”

Figuring out the purpose, Holden Walsh says, helps determine the event’s location, food and activities. For public or private courses, fees vary according to days, times and number of participants. Some greens require a minimum number of golfers and are open only certain days. In Boulder County, high demand for tee time has eliminated competition, so don’t bother asking for discounts, she says.

Ideal for novices, public courses are more laid-back than their members-only counterparts. Tournaments at public clubs cost about $70 per player. Fees usually include 18 holes, balls, cart rental and merchandise credit that hosts can apply toward golf-shop door prizes.

“You do a lot of work with (holding an event at a) public golf courses,” Holden Walsh says. She has planned events at public and private courses nationwide.

Vance Pollock, a golf professional at Boulder’s Flatirons Golf Course, disagrees. Workers at his public course are quite willing to work with people, he says.

Public courses may not offer the food service or dining facilities necessary for formal occasions. Most at least have a snack bar. For sit-down meals, you’re on your own.

The public Flatirons Golf Course, with A Spice of Life Catering next door, is an exception. “It has worked out well over the years,” Pollock says. “You can get everything from hamburgers to lobster.”

Private golf greens offer more amenities for guests, and the cost is surprisingly comparable to public courses. Some employ staff members dedicated to event planning. “They do these things a million times,” Holden Walsh says. “It’s very easy to walk in and say, ?I want x, y and z.’ ”

Fox Hill Country Club workers help with menu planning and setting up, says Julie Duran, events coordinator of the Longmont-based club. “We help them get whatever they need.”

Meals at most private clubs start at $12 per person.

Matt Schalk, head professional at Boulder’s Lake Valley Golf Club, says he and his staff help planners with promotional ideas.

“Picking the course can make a difference in getting people to come,” says Holden Walsh. “Some clubs are very exclusive and upscale, so that’s a big draw.”

Schalk says promotion is the key, especially for a general-invitation event. “Send out flyers,” he urges, “but don’t anticipate filling the tournament the first year. Start slow, and let time build the number of people who play.”

“Planning the activities is the fun part,” Holden Walsh says. “Timing can be a fun thing to do if you want to tie in your event to another event such as the U.S. Open.”

Gimmicks can help make tournaments more fun for frequent golf players, says Lee Hart, business associate for Peak Exposure, a Boulder public relations firm. “You have to give them something different. These guys are always playing golf.”

Prizes can keep competition challenging. “If you really want a big prize for the winner of your tournament,” Holden Walsh says, “you could time the event for the week before the major golf tournament, and give the winner the prize of a trip to it.”

Hart recommends working with the course’s professionals to develop game formats that mix up players. “They talk more and have a chance to have fun while they’re doing it,” she says.

Some formats use only the best shot of each foursome. “If someone’s not as good, it’s not a big issue,” Hart explains.

Holden Walsh advises staggering foursomes or scheduling more experienced players to go first. “You have to look into whom you’re inviting,” she says, “to see if they are golf experts or novices. Match up people with similar playing levels. I’m one of those players that holds up other groups,” she admits. “You want it to be enjoyable for everybody.”

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