Tourneys result in good business

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by Jan K. Allen|ret||ret||tab|

SBJ Contributing Writer|ret||ret||tab|

Alan Cummins, manager at Horton Smith Municipal Golf Course, said his course is glad to participate in local tournaments.|ret||ret||tab|

"From a revenue standpoint, we like doing them," Cummins said. |ret||ret||tab|

The course makes money from green fees, food and gift certificates purchased as prizes.|ret||ret||tab|

Cummins said he believes the reason golf tournaments have become such a popular way to raise money for charities is because participants can have fun while contributing to a worthy cause. And it is a sport that draws a wide variety of people, from age 8 to 80.|ret||ret||tab|

Exposure is a big benefit to the golf course where a tournament is held, regardless of whether it is a charity event. The course is mentioned in any advertising the organization does to draw players and sponsors to the event, said Dale Fisher, golf pro at Deer Lake Golf Club.|ret||ret||tab|

Tournaments usually bring in people who have not played the course before. They may come back and bring a group, Fisher said.|ret||ret||tab|

He added that the course makes money from green fees, cart fees and set-up fees, and there is extra revenue from concession sales. Deer Lake can provide special meals upon request if the organizers want to include lunch or dinner in the tournament package.|ret||ret||tab|

One advantage to the golf course, Fisher said, is that the money from tournaments is guaranteed income. If the tournament is set for 50 people, the course gets paid for that many in advance, so it doesn't have to collect from each individual.|ret||ret||tab|

As a side benefit, Fisher said, tournaments give him a chance to meet people in the community, while providing a service.|ret||ret||tab|

Mark Stahlman, general manager for Highland Springs Country Club, said most of the tournaments at Highland Springs are charity tournaments.|ret||ret||tab|

The club participates in tournaments for the exposure and increased revenues. Money comes from green fees, food and beverage sales, and some money comes from prizes awarded in the form of gift certificates to be redeemed at the club pro shop.|ret||ret||tab|

So that tournaments do not interfere with member usage, Highland Springs holds them on Mondays, when the course is closed to regular play. The club requires a minimum of 72 participants to book a tournament.|ret||ret||tab|

Stahlman said he has not seen any increase in request for tournaments in the last five years. Most of the tournaments held at the club are repeats that come back year after year. Often the club works with organizers to help secure donations for prizes.|ret||ret||tab|

"There are endless avenues for revenue from the players, tee sponsors and green sponsors," Stahlman said. "Charities have realized it is a good way to make money."|ret||ret||tab|

Highland Springs tries to keep tournaments to an average of about one every other week, to prevent over use of the course, Stahlman said.|ret||ret||tab|

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