Auction Items

An auction is a great way to create additional revenue for your event.  They are fun and keep your golfers active in between golf and the dinner/awards ceremony.  In addition, you can invite people who did not golf to join you for the auction to create more excitement.  There are two options if your event is going to have an auction; a silent auction or live auction. 

The silent auction is the most popular choice for golf events and the easiest to run.  Display all your auction items on tables with a bid sheet in front of each item.  On the bid sheet you will list the name of the item and the starting minimum bid.  Below this information there will be space for bidders to write their name and phone number.  If the item was donated, it is a good idea to list the donor’s name on the bid sheet as well. The following pages show a sample bid sheet and grid to keep track of your auction items.

If your golf tournament is fortunate enough to have premium items like vacation packages, cruises, or even new cars donated to the event, a live auction may be the best way to raise the appropriate revenue for those items.  In order to have a successful live auction it’s best to invest in a professional auctioneer who understands how to get the most for each item.  It is customary to start with the lowest priced item and work towards the highest priced item.  You may have a live auction in conjunction with a silent auction if all of your items do not warrant a live auction. 

The key to raising large revenues with your silent auction is a good mix of big and small items to fit all of your participants’ budgets.  Popular items include: memorabilia, event tickets, jewelry, travel, entertainment packages, and complimentary rounds of golf at exclusive courses.

View an example auction summary from an existing event J. Ryder Group event.

Here’s how to get the best items for your auction:

1)  Donations – This is a great way to cut down on costs and add to your bottom line.  Start with your sponsors.  Many companies have access to event tickets and will give them when asked; just be sure to give the donor enough lead time.  It’s especially important to follow up with potential sponsors who may not be purchasing a hole sponsorship for your event, but are interested in gaining more exposure through your auction by donating some of their products or services.  Be creative, and if you have several small items, pair them together to create more value.

2)  Buy Wholesale Items – Some companies will sell you their items at wholesale if they are familiar with your organization.  You can then sell the items at retail in your silent auction to make a profit.  Offer them a sponsorship at the silent auction if they are reluctant to participate.  It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

3)  Auction Companies – There are many highly regarded companies that specialize in auction services.  They offer auction items on a consignment basis, which means you do not pay for the items until they are sold, and any items that do not sell are simply sent back to the supplier.  Your organization keeps all the money you get over the consignment cost.  For example, if the consignment cost for a Tiger Woods photograph is $100.00 and the item sells for $150.00, your tournament just made $50.00.  Visit www.golfdigestplanner.com to learn more about the “Auction in a Box” program.