Plan B for Golf
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Planning for outdoor events can be stressful. One thing that a planner has no control over is Mother Nature so what do you do when it comes down to weather canceling your golf outing?
Working with resorts or lodges, where the amenities and unusual space options are plentiful, allows you to easily come up with a Plan B. When the storm clouds come rolling in the morning of your highly anticipated golf outing, rest assured you can still create a fun day for your attendees!
Working with resorts or lodges, where the amenities and unusual space options are plentiful, allows you to easily come up with a Plan B. When the storm clouds come rolling in the morning of your highly anticipated golf outing, rest assured you can still create a fun day for your attendees!
Kyle Kunash, Head PGA Golf Professional at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva, WI, has plenty of experience with finding innovative solutions for groups. “Depending on the size of the group there are different ways to go about it and fortunately it doesn’t happen too often. If the weather isn’t too bad we try to get everyone out (if possible and safe) with a delayed start and try to at least get in nine holes.”
Other golf professionals think along the same lines. Eric Peterson, General Manager, Cragun’s Legacy Courses at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, MN, finds that alternative options vary greatly depending on the group details, such as the size of group, number of holes, as well as other factors like planned meals before or after golf, sponsors involved, time of year, etc.
If the weather clears as the sun is going down, Kunash has set up putting contests in a premier location complete with a microphone to garner the attention of all and create excitement.
Creating Indoor Golf Events
If the weather isn’t cooperating and your group is “holed” up (pun intended!), the right space can allow some groups to go indoors to create a new kind of golf outing. Both Kunash and Peterson have used indoor space to create mini-courses and putting greens.
Kunash shares, “One of most fun events we did was when we set up holes in our Pro Shop and the Links Bar and Grill. It was one of the most unique experiences we’ve done and the attendees had a great time.”
What if you are doing a charity event with auction items? No problem. With the redirected indoor locale, the venue can easily set up an area to highlight the items and still bring in donations.
For small groups, generally 12 or less, Peterson offers another fun option. “We have a golf simulator set up in our golf shop, so for smaller groups we can offer an indoor golf experience including some instruction and other games like closest to pin contests, long drive, etc.”
Attendees can also work on their game with some expert tips. Cragun’s has had their golf instructor give a clinic for groups inside their Clubhouse.
Teambuilding Activities
Depending on your venue, many resorts have unique spaces and even professionally designated staff to create and host great teambuilding events. For example, Kunash and his team work with the Grand Experience Team (staff of teambuilding experts at Grand Geneva Resort) based on the forecast and put contingency plans in place.
Some examples from the Grand Experience Team include running large group events with activities like rock climbing, basketball and scavenger hunts. Kunash shares, “Attendees are generally broken out into groups of ten or so and it offers a great opportunity for people to get to know one another. Many times with corporate events, people come from all over and don’t know each other.”
At Cragun’s Sports Center they too can offer various teambuilding competitions as a great alternative. Some examples include volleyball, tennis, wacky Olympics, an Amazing Race around the resort and even a Cragun’s-style Fear Factor. For people looking for something a little less physical, they’ve done Texas Hold’em poker tournaments and bingo.
When planning your next golf event, talk to your resort team and put together a customized Plan B specific for your group. Bad weather doesn’t have to equal a less fulfilling experience. With proper planning your attendees can still have a fun and rewarding time off the course!
Other golf professionals think along the same lines. Eric Peterson, General Manager, Cragun’s Legacy Courses at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, MN, finds that alternative options vary greatly depending on the group details, such as the size of group, number of holes, as well as other factors like planned meals before or after golf, sponsors involved, time of year, etc.
If the weather clears as the sun is going down, Kunash has set up putting contests in a premier location complete with a microphone to garner the attention of all and create excitement.
Creating Indoor Golf Events
If the weather isn’t cooperating and your group is “holed” up (pun intended!), the right space can allow some groups to go indoors to create a new kind of golf outing. Both Kunash and Peterson have used indoor space to create mini-courses and putting greens.
Kunash shares, “One of most fun events we did was when we set up holes in our Pro Shop and the Links Bar and Grill. It was one of the most unique experiences we’ve done and the attendees had a great time.”
What if you are doing a charity event with auction items? No problem. With the redirected indoor locale, the venue can easily set up an area to highlight the items and still bring in donations.
For small groups, generally 12 or less, Peterson offers another fun option. “We have a golf simulator set up in our golf shop, so for smaller groups we can offer an indoor golf experience including some instruction and other games like closest to pin contests, long drive, etc.”
Attendees can also work on their game with some expert tips. Cragun’s has had their golf instructor give a clinic for groups inside their Clubhouse.
Teambuilding Activities
Depending on your venue, many resorts have unique spaces and even professionally designated staff to create and host great teambuilding events. For example, Kunash and his team work with the Grand Experience Team (staff of teambuilding experts at Grand Geneva Resort) based on the forecast and put contingency plans in place.
Some examples from the Grand Experience Team include running large group events with activities like rock climbing, basketball and scavenger hunts. Kunash shares, “Attendees are generally broken out into groups of ten or so and it offers a great opportunity for people to get to know one another. Many times with corporate events, people come from all over and don’t know each other.”
At Cragun’s Sports Center they too can offer various teambuilding competitions as a great alternative. Some examples include volleyball, tennis, wacky Olympics, an Amazing Race around the resort and even a Cragun’s-style Fear Factor. For people looking for something a little less physical, they’ve done Texas Hold’em poker tournaments and bingo.
When planning your next golf event, talk to your resort team and put together a customized Plan B specific for your group. Bad weather doesn’t have to equal a less fulfilling experience. With proper planning your attendees can still have a fun and rewarding time off the course!
