How to Run a Golf Event in Colorado

Running a golf event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.

What it looks like

Most Colorado charity and amateur golf events are spring through fall tournaments at public or private courses, with groups of four playing a team format followed by a meal and awards.

Formats

Scramble

Each player in the group hits, the team picks the best shot, and everyone plays from there.

Best Ball

Everyone plays their own ball the whole hole, and the team counts the lowest score (or two lowest) on each hole.

Shamble

The team picks the best drive, then each player plays their own ball into the hole from that spot.

Captain's Choice

Another name for a scramble: the captain picks the best shot each time and all players hit from there.

Alternate Shot

Two partners share one ball and take turns hitting until it is holed, usually alternating who tees off.

Chapman / Pinehurst

Both partners tee off, swap balls for the second shot, then pick one ball and alternate shots until it is holed.

Stroke Play

Each golfer counts every stroke over the round, and the lowest total wins.

Modified Stableford

Players earn points on each hole based on score versus par, such as points for birdies and deductions for bogeys.

Match Play

Players or teams compete hole by hole, and whoever wins more holes wins the match.

Skins

Each hole is worth a prize, or skin, won by the single lowest score.

League

A weekly evening league where golfers play nine holes, often in pairs or teams, and earn points toward season standings and a final championship.

Longest Drive Contest

On one marked hole, the longest drive that stays in the fairway wins a prize. Quick to run, and big hitters love the bragging rights.

Mulligan Packages

Golfers buy a pack of mulligans at check-in for a few dollars each. Easy money for the cause, and bad shots sting a lot less.

Last Place Trophy

The highest scoring foursome takes home a goofy gag trophy and poses for a photo. It keeps the mood light and gets plenty of laughs.

Build it

In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick golf and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.

Registration

Organizers usually ask each golfer for their handicap or typical score, team members' names, shirt size and any meal choice.

Results

Pick foursomes or twosomes, a shotgun start or tee times, and team links so each golfer claims their own spot. CUP fills in suggested sponsor levels, and sponsors upload their logo, website and socials when they pay. Add contests, a 50/50, raffles and a silent auction with phone bidding, then print the day-of kit: alpha sheet, rosters, cart signs, scorecards with QR codes and bag tags.

Event day

Golfers check in and grab carts, warm up on the range, start together by shotgun or by tee times, then return for scoring, a meal and awards.

Fun ideas

Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Longest Drive Contest. On one marked hole, the longest drive that stays in the fairway wins a prize. Quick to run, and big hitters love the bragging rights. Mulligan Packages. Golfers buy a pack of mulligans at check-in for a few dollars each. Easy money for the cause, and bad shots sting a lot less. Last Place Trophy. The highest scoring foursome takes home a goofy gag trophy and poses for a photo. It keeps the mood light and gets plenty of laughs.

Tip

One tip for first-timers: lock in your sponsors for holes and contests like closest to the pin early, and confirm the course's rules on tee times, carts and food minimums in writing. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.