Sponsors are critical to a successful golf event. Since most sponsorships are sold to companies, you need to understand that they are doing their 2010 budget planning now.

Be sure to contact previous sponsors for your event and remind them of you tournament date for 2010. Ask them to include their sponsorship in their 2010 budget. You may event want to give them an incentive for reserving a sponsorship now.

Set up your event website now using the Golf Digest Planner and send a link to the sponsors. You may not have all your details ready for 2010 but you can set up the site with a "Save the Date" message and open registration at a later date.

USA Today just reported that fundraising golf events will raise $3.5 billion this year, quite a sum in this economy.

Golf events take a lot of time to organize and execute but the efforts pay off in several ways. First of all, you raise money for your organization.

Secondly, you involve your supporters in fun activity which keeps them involved with your organization.

Thirdly, you can generate new supporters for your group. Many golfers that attend a fundraising golf event are invited by someone. They may not know anything about your group and the good work you do. If you set up your event properly, they will leave the event with a better understanding of your organization and may become involved in the future.

So plan your event now using the Golf Digest Planner and not only raise more money,  but grow your supporter base as well.

 On our webinars, we discuss the revenue streams for fundraising golf events. While player fees cover the cost of the course, food and beverage and player gifts, sponsor generate most of the net revenue.

To raise more money, focus on activities before, during and after your event.

Before your event, set up putting contests, chipping contest, raffles and mulligan sales to generate more revenue.

During the event, there are contests you can set up that can raise more money including the "Pro Shop Challenge" where players risks $20 - $50 on a Par 3 to see if they can hit the green. If they do, they get a Pro Shop discount. If they miss, the money goes to your charity. Also continue to sell raffle tickets during the event including from the beverage carts!

After the event, auctions are a great way to continue to raise more money.

These activities not only raise more money for a good cause, they create excitement during your events. This will bring players and sponsors back next year.

For more information, download the e-book from GolfDigestPlanner.com