🏌️‍♀️ Case Study: How Glen Ridge High School Project Graduation Raised $8,000 at an Indoor Golf Fundraiser with Golf Paradise
Executive Summary
When the Glen Ridge High School Project Graduation Committee couldn’t find a date for their traditional outdoor golf outing, they decided to try something new — hosting an indoor golf outing and social at Golf Paradise Club.
With creative sponsorship packages, an exciting scramble format, and strong community participation, the event raised $8,000 in profit, even with some last-minute challenges and a smaller-than-expected turnout. The result? A fun, stress-free evening that proved indoor fundraisers can be just as successful — if not more — than traditional golf outings.
Client Background
Organization: Glen Ridge High School Project Graduation 2026 Committee
Goal: Raise funds to support the annual Project Graduation event
The committee traditionally hosted an outdoor golf outing each year, but scheduling conflicts pushed them to explore a new approach. Golf Paradise Club offered the perfect solution — a weatherproof, turnkey event space where golfers and non-golfers alike could come together for an evening of food, drinks, prizes, and fundraising fun.
The Challenge
- Difficulty finding an available outdoor golf course date
- Only a few weeks to plan the event
- Limited volunteer support
- Needed an engaging experience for both golfers and social attendees
- Goal: Maintain profitability while simplifying logistics
The Solution: Golf Paradise Indoor Fundraiser
Golf Paradise Club helped the committee transform their typical outing into a modern indoor scramble-style tournament complete with catering, contests, music, and sponsor activations — all under one roof.
Ticket Packages:
- Golf Package: $120 per golfer or $400 per foursome (before 9/30 early-bird discount)
Includes scramble tournament, golf prizes, beverages, and hors d’oeuvres - Party Package: $60 per person
Includes access to VIP auction, beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and adults-only social area
Attendance: Approximately 72 total guests (about 30 golfers and 30 social attendees)
Fundraising Structure
The committee designed a multi-layered fundraising model to maximize profits beyond ticket sales:
Sponsorships
- Title Sponsor – $1,000
Featured on all event marketing and social media posts - Snack Station / Beverage Sponsors – $500
Large, prominent signage at those areas - Bay Sponsors – $250
Signage at each simulator bay - Event Sponsors – $125
Smaller sign + inclusion in post-event thank-you email - Bonus Exposure: Sponsors’ signs were later displayed along the high school walkway for seniors to see and celebrate community support.
Additional Fundraising
- 50/50 Raffle: $10 per ticket → raised $390 (winner donated back most of her winnings)
- Longest Drive / Closest to the Pin: $10 for 3 swings (limited participation due to volunteers)
- Silent Auction: Expanded last-minute thanks to a parent’s golf connections, featuring NJ golf passes and premium experiences. Though bidding was mixed, the total results exceeded expectations.
Results
âś… $8,000 profit after expenses
âś… Sponsors gained valuable exposure across marketing and event materials
âś… Positive guest feedback on space, staff, and atmosphere
âś… Proof that an indoor outing can match or outperform traditional outdoor events
“We had a total blast at our event and hit our fundraising goal with ease!”
— Nicole Quinn, Glen Ridge High School Project Graduation 2026 Co-Chair
What Worked
- Venue & Staff: Golf Paradise’s team made planning simple and stress-free
- Unique Experience: Golf simulators, music, and social setup kept energy high
- Sponsorship Packages: Tiered pricing attracted multiple local businesses
- Guests Enjoyed the Format: Shorter, weatherproof, and fun — ideal for busy parents
- Prepaid Guests: Some who couldn’t attend still donated by keeping their tickets
What Could Be Improved
- More Games for Non-Golfers: Table games or trivia could better engage social attendees
- More Promotion Time: Earlier marketing could have boosted attendance
- Volunteer Coordination: More hands on deck for contests like longest drive
- Audience Balance: Increasing social ticket price to $75 and adding small interactive elements could better support the non-golf crowd
Key Takeaways
- Indoor golf outings work. They’re weatherproof, fun, and community-friendly.
- Lower venue costs mean higher profits. Golf Paradise’s pricing structure allowed the committee to walk away with an impressive $8,000 profit.
- Creativity pays off. Unique prizes, sponsor tiers, and hybrid social formats made this event stand out.
Testimonial
“When we couldn’t find a date for our traditional outdoor golf outing for our annual fundraiser, Golf Paradise came to our rescue!
Our Project Graduation committee took a big risk and decided to try something new, exciting, and different this fall — an indoor golf outing at Golf Paradise! We thought, why not take the best parts of a traditional outing (sponsors, tournament, food, social, prizes, auction, FUN!) but move it indoors, in the evening, weather-proofed and shorter?
We had a total blast at our event and hit our fundraising goal with ease! Marco, Sofia, and their entire team were warm, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic from start to finish. They handled every detail and made us feel right at home — plus, they get bonus points for having the most adorable pup on site!”
— Nicole Quinn, Glen Ridge High School Project Graduation 2026 Co-Chair
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Bl7H1NN6X0wÂ
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