As you begin looking ahead to 2012 and your organization's golf tournament, consider the following suggestions to take your golf tournament from a "good event" to a "great golfer experience."

Work with the course

Talk to your biggest event partner - the golf course - about this year's tournament and how you can work together to improve the event for next year. For example, if the pace of play was too slow this year, review with the golf course staff how you can improve upon that aspect of the tournament in 2012.

Add novelty

Keep the event fresh and interesting, particularly if it is a long-standing tournament. Consider adding one or two new elements to the event that will enhance the golfer's experience that day and link their enjoyment with your charity. You might want to add in a pre-tournament golf clinic or a club demonstration from a leading manufacturer (e.g. Nike, Callaway, TaylorMade) on the driving range.

Thank loyal supporters

Recognize your most loyal supporters. At the 2012 tournament, publicly acknowledge those golfers and sponsors who have been supporting the tournament for five, ten or fifteen years.

Work social media

Use social media tools like Twitter and Facebook both to promote your event in advance and to report on the tournament as it occurs.

Golfer gifts

Many tournaments provide a significant golfer gift at registration, which is a great idea. But you can enhance the experience by thanking your golfers with an additional small golfer gift as they play through a particular hole or as they come off the golf course. Have a senior volunteer or staff person from your organization on hand to personally greet and thank players.

Frank MacGrath will share more great tips for a top-notch golf tournament in two workshops/webinars January 10. Learn the fundamentals in the morning, ramp up your skills with advanced tips and tactics in the afternoon. Workshop details here: http://tinyurl.com/Golf-workshops-Jan1012

Frank MacGrath is president & CEO of Golf Tournaments Incorporated located in Aurora, Ontario. GTI has been organizing fundraising golf tournaments for a variety of charities, nonprofit organizations and corporations since 1993. He's also the author of The Complete Handbook for Planning & Implementing a Successful Fundraising Golf Tournament. You can reach Frank at 905-726-4488 or by email.