Sunny FL, I think I can help you a lot here...
We ran our first Golf Tournament last year and it was a huge successs, raising over $9000. Here's some of your questions answered...
What contests have you run at your tournament?
We had, as part of the tournament, a closest to the pin and a longest drive contest. The club had the stakes and signs for this already. To raise additional funds I put myself out at one of the par 3 holes and for $10 a player could take a chance to try to drive onto the green. If they did they would get their name into a drawing for a pair of Red Sox tickets that we were able to get. If thy missed they were allowed to try again, and again, and again. I was wheeling and dealing out there, even giving two players a third or fourth chance each for $5 each, when it seemed they were going to give up. Overall 11 players drove onto the green, and we raised over $800 on this alone...
What prizes did you give out to your winners; how many places?(we are doing a shotgun start scramble)
Shotgun start is the way to go. We had trophies donated from a local shop for the first place and runner ups, as well as the longest drive and closest to the pin.
How many raffle prizes did you have and what were they?
Wow, we had tons. Many, many liquor baskets donated from local stores. More red sox tickets. Other sports memorabilia. Dinner for two to some local restaurants. Golf bag, driver, bicycle, and much more.
Did you sell raffle tickets and mulligans? How much?
Yes to both. We sold a "package" of one mulligan, shoot from the ladies tee (or move up 30 feet for the ladies), a water, and something else I can't remember. This "package" was $10. We sold raffle tickets before the tournament started, and then again as the players were coming in. I think it was $2 a ticket, 6 for $10 (most bought at least 10).
Did you sell golf shirts? How much?
Did not.
What would you have done differently?
Nothing, it went perfectly.
What did you do to make your tournament unique?
It was our first one, so it was unique in that regard.
Hope this helps,
PresidentJim