Most chapters host a scholarship and research tournament every year. I would like to take a moment to tell you how South Texas GCSA has made this event very successful.

Over twenty years ago, they would partner with a golf facility that would basically give them the golf course for free and only charge minimum food expenses. The entry fee was around $100 per person, and they would usually get around 100 participants. They would also have a few silent auction items for sale that would include several rounds of golf for a foursome at area golf courses. They would usually make $10,000 to $15,000 off of this event.

A few years ago South Texas GCSA modified the auction to a live event with a professional auctioneer. They also worked with all vendors in the region for donations to the auction for products that our members would be using anyway. The chapter also increased the marketing of the event to ensure they would have a sellout of participants for the tournament.  This model has worked great for several years now producing profits first above $20,000, then $30,000, and last year, over $40,000.

Fast forward to this year where records were broken again. High Meadow Ranch Golf Club provided a great venue for very little expense. The tournament saw a full field of players and a waiting list. The vendors went above and beyond expectations with their donated products. Over 50 golf course superintendents were bidding like crazy to get great deals for their golf courses.  The end result for South Texas GCSA was over $50,000 raised in this one event.

With a few tweaks and a little innovation, South Texas GCSA has seen excellent gains in tournament earnings! Great job and keep it going.