Today business organizations are making golf outings an integral part of their annual marketing budget to enhance customer/client relations, public relations, to increase company employee morale and in some cases to make a profit while marketing.

Needless to say, whether putting on a golf outing for corporate and client relations or a fund raising event, a source of income is vital to meet or exceed expected expenses.

Because leadership today requires you be an excellent organizer and planner here are seven (7) little-known pre-tournament "mini-event" strategies guaranteeing more income for your corporate or community event. These seven event strategies will bring more fun for clients and participants of all golf skill levels.

1. Putting Contests

Putting contests are typically held on the practice putting green at the course. There are many different ways to conduct a putting contest including this list of putting games; Around the World, Eighteen, Horse, Horseshoes, Lagging, Least Putt, One Putt, Points for Putts, Seven-Up, Stymies, Three Feet Back, Twenty One and Seven-Eleven just to name a few.

The winner would be the participant who either sinks the putts or is closest of all contestants. If there is a tie, have a "putt off" between the tied contestants.

Individual players entry fees to a putting contest can range from $1.00 to $50.00. A percentage (10% to 50%) of the total income from the contest may be used as a prize for the winner or small award may be given.

If the entry fee to the putting contest is not important, give all the money to the top three places with a 50%-30%-20% split for first, second, and third place, respectively.

2. Long Driving Contest

3. Straight Drive Contest

Unlike the putting contest, there is really only one way to run a Long Drive and Straight Drive contest at the beginning of a tournament. If all possible, use either the first or the tenth hole tee box for the driving contests. Co-ordinate the contest with the head pro to assure markers and lines can be used in both events to calculate winning shots.

The entry fee and ways of awarding the winner used for the putting contest above can also be adopted for both of these driving contests.

4. Chipping Contest

The playing format for a chipping contest can be the same as the putting contest, as well as the fees and the recognition of winners. One variation is to have a single entry apply to participation in the chipping contest off of the grass, as well as in the sand-trap chipping competition.

5. Selling "Mulligans"

A "mulligan" in plain and simple terms is "buying another shot". As an example, if you take a shot and it is less than desirable, you may use your mulligan and take another shot without penalty. When using mulligans in a tournament, it is recommended no more than two or three mulligans be permitted per player. Mulligans are usually sold to participants at the registration table. Typically, mulligans can be sold from $1.00 to $50.00.

6. Early Bird Tournament

Another potential source of income on tournament day is by conducting a nine hole tournament before the main tournament. Allow a minimum of two hours to complete play in a nine hole tournament. Attempt to keep this event as simple as possible in an effort to avoid delays since there is a limited amount of time to conduct this event. Some popular formats are Two Man Best Ball, Two Man Scramble, and Medal Play with handicap. Obviously, if the event is to make a profit set the entry fee greater than the cost of the green fee, cart cost and awards.

7. Shootout Tournament

A nine hole shootout tournament is another possible way to collect additional money on tournament day before the main tournament. A nine hole shootout is a tournament beginning with ten players. All players start out together playing the first hole all at the same time. The player on each hole with the highest score is eliminated. With one player eliminated from each hole, on the last hole only two players remain to compete for the championship. The expenses for a shootout tournament are minimal.

Planning and executing a golf event brings on a great deal of "mini-challenges" which need to be conquered with minimal effort in order for the tournament to deliver the desired results...goodwill and prosperity. Cost and profit are always two huge issues and when you adopt pre-tournament strategies for your next golf event you will be well on your way to creating a very high ceiling for your corporate or community event.