Charity Events - I'll be honest....

[Anthony]

I always seem to be the one to make a statement and then get flack.... Trust me I'm a big boy and actually enjoy the back and forth.

I do budget and do some Charity Events each summer as I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

But I do have criteria as follows:

1) Cost
2) Golf Club
3) Prizes/Swag
4) Meals
5) Charity (am lucky as family outside one illness, knock on wood is relatively healthy), so all charities are worthy

So yes I want to know that there are some good prizes available and know I will be buying raffle tickets, mulligans as required....

And as per my last recent posts, as someone who has organized and been involved in golf tournaments I know that people do want to see a full prize table and want to have a chance to scoop a great prize or get a deal at the silent auction.... And yes I have continually said that prizes for the winners and longest drives should be plaques and/or trophies.

Just being honest yet again.....

[corchard]

Just being honest yet again.....

Never apologize for being yourself.

I don't do a lot of charity golf events anymore. Too expensive. I'm not talking about for me, I'm talking about for the volunteers. They are an enormous investment in time with very little $$ return. One of the biggest I was participated in closed down a course for an entire day... almost 300 golfers. The prize table was loaded with spectacular prizes... everybody ended going home with over $200 in prizes. I ended up going home with a pair of platinum leaf tickets, a box of ProV's, a drifit shirt and some other stuff I don't even remember. Dinner was great and I had an absolute blast. I talked with the event organizer a couple of weeks after the event. He had invested a few months of his life in this thing and the charity only cleared about $12K. He said he'd never do it again.

[BowmanvilleJim]

Organizing a really good tournament is a large investment in time and effort. I have done too many tournaments over the years and I've burned out. I've been asked to do others and I usually find that it's difficult to find people who are willing to put in as much work as I am. Everyone wants to play but no one wants to do the organizing.

[nearace]

Organizing a really good tournament is a large investment in time and effort. I have done too many tournaments over the years and I've burned out. I've been asked to do others and I usually find that it's difficult to find people who are willing to put in as much work as I am. Everyone wants to play but no one wants to do the organizing.thats right on the money,I have only gone to these outings to golf but looking on the inside the effort put forth from orgonizers to helpers is huge,for the event would crumble if not for those who set up and run them.

[Big Shooter]

Organizing a really good tournament is a large investment in time and effort. I have done too many tournaments over the years and I've burned out. I've been asked to do others and I usually find that it's difficult to find people who are willing to put in as much work as I am. Everyone wants to play but no one wants to do the organizing.

Just ask some of the TGN'rs who have more than generously organized "days out" around here--Focal & RockRonny come to mind :) -- only to have No-Shows, etc.

I can only imagine some of the headaches that a BIGGER event requires!

[ForeontheFloor]

Personally I really like running tournaments. The one's that I run personally are not very big but I do help out with few big tournament's. I don't know what it is but I like all the meeting's, the running around, the hectic pace of event day and the glass of scotch at the end.
It is always weird when a charity hires me because I always feel funny when a charity hands ME a cheque.
If swag is an important factor in your choice of charity tournaments why don't you just play any course and buy yourself something nice with the money you save. One of the tournaments that I help out with purposely doesn't stack the prize table, the people know why they are there.

[Anthony]

Personally I really like running tournaments. The one's that I run personally are not very big but I do help out with few big tournament's. I don't know what it is but I like all the meeting's, the running around, the hectic pace of event day and the glass of scotch at the end.
It is always weird when a charity hires me because I always feel funny when a charity hands ME a cheque.
If swag is an important factor in your choice of charity tournaments why don't you just play any course and buy yourself something nice with the money you save. One of the tournaments that I help out with purposely doesn't stack the prize table, the people know why they are there.

Again I don't say it is a proud point I am making..... Frankly at a lot of tournaments I am at there are only a few great prizes and then it is the "luck of the draw". I started this based on a prior post where there was a great assortment of prizes, and all very high end and my point that winning teams should not get the "pick of the litter".

Unfortunately also the last minute scramble for prizes I bet is something that goes on at all these tournaments as well. I helped at a tournament and it was gifts that they leaned on me for.

I also spend money on the on course activities, because of the lure of great prizes (just a statement of fact).


I commend the altruistic members on this site, but frankly I do believe a significant pay for the Charity Event based on the overall package, of which the swag plays a very important part.

Please just read the articles the next few weeks about the TIFF, and the swag if you want to make your eyes roll....

[ForeontheFloor]

Right, that's my point. You obviously don't mind supporting the charity with the raffles and mulligans so just send them a cheque.

Instead of going to play a $300 dollar tournament and getting a crapping prize try the following.

Non-event round of golf (say) $100
send a cheque to a charity (say) $100
spend the rest on a "prize" you would like.
Done
win - win -win

[Anthony]

Right, that's my point. You obviously don't mind supporting the charity with the raffles and mulligans so just send them a cheque.

Instead of going to play a $300 dollar tournament and getting a crapping prize try the following.

Non-event round of golf (say) $100
send a cheque to a charity (say) $100
spend the rest on a "prize" you would like.
Done
win - win -win

Then why are there these Charity Events if everyone did as you said and have recommended this option to me. Again I am getting flak for honesty..... However I also said I enjoy playing high end courses in a scramble format. A perfect example would be Glen Abbey where I play an annual tournament, where the price is good, it is with a friend who supports the family organizing the event, okay prize table, very good meal. However the Abbey is perfect when you are playing a scramble with average to below average golfers ie. 25+ handicaps. It shouldn't be played with your own ball....

Also Charity Events can get you on courses, that you can not get on without friends. Believe it or not I do not have a single friend who is a CL member:rolleyes:, but have played many of the courses just through these events....

[landlord]

That's great from a practical standpoint, but it misses the community-spirit part. The feeling of community is priceless, and, arguably, that's what makes people want to give in the first place.

Corny but true, IMO.

[skt07]

I always seem to be the one to make a statement and then get flack.... Trust me I'm a big boy and actually enjoy the back and forth.

I do budget and do some Charity Events each summer as I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

But I do have criteria as follows:

1) Cost
2) Golf Club
3) Prizes/Swag
4) Meals
5) Charity (am lucky as family outside one illness, knock on wood is relatively healthy), so all charities are worthy

So yes I want to know that there are some good prizes available and know I will be buying raffle tickets, mulligans as required....

And as per my last recent posts, as someone who has organized and been involved in golf tournaments I know that people do want to see a full prize table and want to have a chance to scoop a great prize or get a deal at the silent auction.... And yes I have continually said that prizes for the winners and longest drives should be plaques and/or trophies.

Just being honest yet again.....

Would you still feel the same way about prize distribution if you were a scratch golfer with a chance of winning low score and longest drive contests?

Would you be okay with random prize distribution and simply receiving a plaque for shooting the low score?

Would you complain that you won the tournament and all you got was a plastic trophy, while the guy who shot 130 walked away with a $500 driver?

You don't have to share your answers to these questions, however, the honest answers to these questions will indicate whether you're more concerend with "fairness" (as you have defined it - i.e., equal distribution of prizes to all) or yourself and your personal gain.

[Anthony]

Would you still feel the same way about prize distribution if you were a scratch golfer with a chance of winning low score and longest drive contests?

Would you be okay with random prize distribution and simply receiving a plaque for shooting the low score?

Would you complain that you won the tournament and all you got was a plastic trophy, while the guy who shot 130 walked away with a $500 driver?

You don't have to share your answers to these questions, however, the honest answers to these questions will indicate whether you're more concerend with "fairness" (as you have defined it - i.e., equal distribution of prizes to all) or yourself and your personal gain.

These are event not tournaments raising money for charity...... Why the h#$* should the best golfers get these great prizes. To be honest I'd be more then happy to see the worst golfer with the 20 year old driver get the $500 driver, because then he/she'd see more improvement and as a result enjoyment from the game. Everytime I play with someone with antiquated equipment I ask them to try my driver, and usually they want me to get them one.....

So are you telling me that the scratch golfers are showing up to these tournaments to compete for prizes (as I have asserted they do)?????:rolleyes:

Shall I guess you shoot in the 70's???

Last year the Fan590 had a tournament (or indirectly sponsored it). Bob McCowan a shill (paid I'm sure) for Bondhead (great course in any case), hosted a 2-day tournament (overnight including a trip to his other favorite haunt Rama). It was a serious tournament and there were some great prizes as I was curious to see and checked the weblink. The Entry fee was very reasonable (and actually a great deal), but this was not for us "hackers". I'm sure they also raised some money for Charity, but don't tell me that there were people showing up just for the comraderie.... This was serious golf and all the power to them along with a club's tournament & Member/Guests. There is a place for the competitive golfer, just not the Charity Event imo.....

[guitarman]

These are event not tournaments raising money for charity...... Why the h#$* should the best golfers get these great prizes. To be honest I'd be more then happy to see the worst golfer with the 20 year old driver get the $500 driver, because then he/she'd see more improvement and as a result enjoyment from the game. Everytime I play with someone with antiquated equipment I ask them to try my driver, and usually they want me to get them one.....

So are you telling me that the scratch golfers are showing up to these tournaments to compete for prizes (as I have asserted they do)?????:rolleyes:

Shall I guess you shoot in the 70's???

I don't shoot in the 70s. I shoot in the 90s. But I beleive that the prizes should go to those who have worked at becoming a good golfer. I'm getting sick of this attitude of hand me everything even though I don't work for it. Kind of like the Liberals new campaign promise to start handing out free dental benefits.
Quit whining about how you don't win prizes and either compete in something you are good at or go out and work on your game. Or keep winning the most honest award.

[ForeontheFloor]

That's great from a practical standpoint, but it misses the community-spirit part. The feeling of community is priceless, and, arguably, that's what makes people want to give in the first place.

Corny but true, IMO.

Correct, the whole idea behind these events is to raise money and awareness. The community spirit is a huge part of it for most people but if Anthony wants to help out AND insure a good prize I was just giving him an option.

[Anthony]

I don't shoot in the 70s. I shoot in the 90s. But I beleive that the prizes should go to those who have worked at becoming a good golfer. I'm getting sick of this attitude of hand me everything even though I don't work for it. Kind of like the Liberals new campaign promise to start handing out free dental benefits.
Quit whining about how you don't win prizes and either compete in something you are good at or go out and work on your game. Or keep winning the most honest award.

That is what a Tournament is for not a Charity Event...:mad: I am not whining.... Guitarman I know you have just taken up the game.... How many charity events haver you been too? Maybe when you've been to 25-30 and see these stacked teams and ridiculous scores winning, your opinion may change. I still laugh/grouse when I won closest to the pin at one Event and a plaque that said "Women's Closest to the Pin" by accident:D.

[guitarman]

That is what a Tournament is for not a Charity Event...:mad: I am not whining.... Guitarman I know you have just taken up the game.... How many charity events haver you been too? Maybe when you've been to 25-30 and see these stacked teams and ridiculous scores winning, your opinion may change. I still laugh/grouse when I won closest to the pin at one Event and a plaque that said "Women's Closest to the Pin" by accident:D.


I've been to 12 tournaments of which 7 were charity. The charity one's were the most expensive. Yes I saw questionable scores and I saw people walking away with prizes that other people said were the same people that get them every year and were complaining about cheating and blah blah blah. But I never lost focus of why I was there. To play a game I love playing and to help a good cause. Its no concern of mine if someone won through cheating. I beleive what goes around comes around and cheaters will eventually be exposed for the type of person they are. If its good golfers that are walking away with these prizes because they were the longest or straightest drive or they won the round fair and square, well I can't see how you can find fault with that.

[skt07]

So are you telling me that the scratch golfers are showing up to these tournaments to compete for prizes (as I have asserted they do)?????:rolleyes:

Shall I guess you shoot in the 70's???



No (not sure where you inferred I said this)

and

No (unfortunately)

I just wanted you to imagine that you were a scratch golfer. And to think about how you, Anthony, would feel if you were a scratch golfer and were rewarded for your lowest score with a plaque and not an expensive prize. Would you feel that was fair? Or would you, as a scratch golfer, feel cheated because you shot the lowest score at the charity golf event and all you got was a plaque.

The only reason I ask is because I get the sense from your posts that you disagree with/complain about anything that is not in your favor. So if the situation were reversed and you were the scratch golfer, would you still feel prizes should be distributed randomly (which, as a scratch golfer, would no longer be in your favor).

I'm not trying to be rude/mean-spirited/confrontational. I'm simply making an observation, so if you take any offence, please accept my apologies.

[Anthony]

No (not sure where you inferred I said this)

and

No (unfortunately)

I just wanted you to imagine that you were a scratch golfer. And to think about how you, Anthony, would feel if you were a scratch golfer and were rewarded for your lowest score with a plaque and not an expensive prize. Would you feel that was fair? Or would you, as a scratch golfer, feel cheated because you shot the lowest score at the charity golf event and all you got was a plaque.

Told you the one time I got closest to it said "Womans Closest to".... If I was a scratch golfer and competitive I'd play Tournaments not "Events".

[guitarman]

Told you the one time I got closest to it said "Womans Closest to".... If I was a scratch golfer and competitive I'd play Tournaments not "Events".

Looking at it from a different perspective. The really good golfers that go to all these events maybe even just because they know they can win these prizes are also contributing alot to these charities. Then you have the really bad golfer that maybe golfs once a year and happenned in to a charity event because a friend invited them. So who deserves it more. The person is a good golfer and contributes regularly to the charities or the hack golfer that almost never contributes.

[The Troll]

Again I am getting flak for honesty .....

Hehe, but you give everyone else flak when they're honest if they don't agree with you. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

I avoid such events as much as I can. Hate paying big bucks to play in a scramble and find the prizes rarely make up for the cost.

Actually, I just hate playing scrambles.

[Anthony]

Hehe, but you give everyone else flak when they're honest if they don't agree with you. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

I avoid such events as much as I can. Hate paying big bucks to play in a scramble and find the prizes rarely make up for the cost.

Actually, I just hate playing scrambles.

I like a few scrambles every summer, I want to hit to the green and have birdie putts. Sorry but I am really thick but can not for a second understand how 130 golfers can be happy with a long drive contest they have no chance of winning (probably 10-15 have a legitimate shot)..... Next time show up at an event and when they ask you for even $2 so that they can give a prize to the longest driver, tell me what you tell them (and please don't say it is the same for the most honest golfer, because I'd much rather contribute money for their prize, then the golfer who plays 50+ rounds a year and hits it 300+)? Can someone please explain that.

Oh and next time you play skins or match play for $20 let's say with three golfers whose handicap is 10 strokes better, let me know when you don't take or get any strokes.

I am happy to support the charity not the long hitter and stacked teams.... And yes in case you need to know I have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but that is not the point, nor is sour grapes.....

[cdnputter]

I like a few scrambles every summer, I want to hit to the green and have birdie putts. Sorry but I am really thick but can not for a second understand how 130 golfers can be happy with a long drive contest they have no chance of winning (probably 10-15 have a legitimate shot)..... Next time show up at an event and when they ask you for even $2 so that they can give a prize to the longest driver, tell me what you tell them (and please don't say it is the same for the most honest golfer, because I'd much rather contribute money for their prize, then the golfer who plays 50+ rounds a year and hits it 300+)? Can someone please explain that.

Oh and next time you play skins or match play for $20 let's say with three golfers whose handicap is 10 strokes better, let me know when you don't take or get any strokes.

I am happy to support the charity not the long hitter and stacked teams.... And yes in case you need to know I have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but that is not the point, nor is sour grapes.....

Anthony, you've made several good observations regarding charity events and how they're biased towards teams that are built to play scrambles well. We've all seen these folks around; 2 guys that can pound the ball off the tee, one very good golfer who can make the difficult approach shots, and then another player who somehow makes the flukey long distance putts.

I'm not a fan of these events either, I'll stick with playing my buddies for skins and a local fall event where they will only allow 12 handicaps or better to play. Usually it's setup as a 2 man scramble, they pair players that morning, and the prizes range from $500 to $150 for the top 3 teams (per player). Skins money for this bad boy can get up to $200 due to all of the sawing off on holes.

[The Troll]

I like a few scrambles every summer

I am ok with the very occasional scramble so long as it's free. :rofl:

I want to hit to the green and have birdie putts.

I like this point....during our opening day scramble at my course my group birdied a 450 yard par 4. One guy on the team told me how happy he was as it was the first time he had ever been on the green in two or had a birdie. He was genuinely happy that he did this after 30+ years at the course. Shame he didn't hit either shot or sink the putt. But he felt good about it and I felt good for him. :p

[Anthony]

I am ok with the very occasional scramble so long as it's free. :rofl:



I like this point....during our opening day scramble at my course my group birdied a 450 yard par 4. One guy on the team told me how happy he was as it was the first time he had ever been on the green in two or had a birdie. He was genuinely happy that he did this after 30+ years at the course. Shame he didn't hit either shot or sink the putt. But he felt good about it and I felt good for him. :p

So Troll, you're that person who plays from the tips and makes sure they play every shot to get full value for their money????:p

[The Troll]

So Troll, you're that person who plays from the tips and makes sure they play every shot to get full value for their money????:p

Hey, I put them at the 150 stake. :rofl:

Actually that hole is 450 from the whites and 460 from the blues. We have 3 holes that are 450ish from the whites.

[guitarman]

I am ok with the very occasional scramble so long as it's free. :rofl:



I like this point....during our opening day scramble at my course my group birdied a 450 yard par 4. One guy on the team told me how happy he was as it was the first time he had ever been on the green in two or had a birdie. He was genuinely happy that he did this after 30+ years at the course. Shame he didn't hit either shot or sink the putt. But he felt good about it and I felt good for him. :p

Hmmm. I never thought of it that way. I guess with that way of thinking, At an HP corporate scramble that I attended last month, I got 2 eagles and 7 birdies and finished the round at 9 under.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[BowmanvilleJim]

Anthony, you've made several good observations regarding charity events and how they're biased towards teams that are built to play scrambles well. We've all seen these folks around; 2 guys that can pound the ball off the tee, one very good golfer who can make the difficult approach shots, and then another player who somehow makes the flukey long distance putts.

I'm not a fan of these events either, I'll stick with playing my buddies for skins and a local fall event where they will only allow 12 handicaps or better to play. Usually it's setup as a 2 man scramble, they pair players that morning, and the prizes range from $500 to $150 for the top 3 teams (per player). Skins money for this bad boy can get up to $200 due to all of the sawing off on holes.

Where is that fall event? Sounds like one that I played in 2 years ago. I loved that format.