10 Country Club Event Ideas To Liven Up Your Social Scene
by The Ottimate Editorial Team
Thinking of country club event ideas that’ll excite and entice your members is crucial. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you — so you can cherry-pick the events that match your club’s mission.
We’ll cover:
- Why think of country club event ideas?
- 10 country club event ideas
- How AP automation streamlines invoice management for country club events
Why Think of Country Club Event Ideas?
Increase Membership
If you’re looking to increase your membership numbers, hosting events is a perfect avenue to achieve this. Events offer non-members a chance for an inside look into the country club setting and all the fun they could be a part of.
Boost Member Loyalty
Your club offers more than just amenities — it offers your members an experience. By leaning into events and activities that provide fresh fun for members’ families, you’ll boost loyalty and give members more reasons to keep their memberships active.
Rather than considering it a hefty expense each time they pay their monthly or annual fee, your members will see that money as an investment in fun and creative ways for their families to get together and create memories.
Increase Event Bookings
Making your venue a sought-after event space is a great way to generate additional income and boost your club’s bottom line. Hosting creative events at your country club showcases all the ways your facilities can be used to create unique event experiences, from weddings and family gatherings to networking engagements and social events — which ultimately increases revenue for your club.
10 Country Club Event Ideas
Below is a list of creative, fun country club event ideas that’ll appeal to club members of varying ages and interests.
As you set your event schedule, choose your events wisely, carefully considering which events suit your club’s environment and image. Or, if you’re looking to refresh or reinvent your club’s image, events are a perfect way to do so!
- Will your members be able to invite non-member guests? If so, how many per membership?
- Will you open a few of your events to non-members through limited ticket purchases?
Pro-tip: Ticketed events are a great way to boost revenue and gain new members who get to experience your club!
A key note on country club events: Be sure to take lots of pictures at each event. Promote the event’s success by posting photos on your club’s social media accounts as well as in your club’s monthly newsletter.
1. 9, Wine, and Dine
Host a casual afternoon event for your golf club members that kicks off with nine holes of golf and wraps up in the clubhouse around sunset for drinks and eats. Invite a local musician to play for a couple of hours after the golf game.
Intentionally create a unique ambiance and atmosphere that’s different from a usual day in the clubhouse after golf. Once your golfers swap their clubs for their après golf enjoyment of cocktails and apps, turn on some stringed lights and crank up the music.
2. Burger & Brew Fest
Host an evening of sampling microbrews and burgers. Set out brew samples in shot glasses and a variety of slider burgers.
Bonus points if you’ve got local breweries and farm-to-table beef to highlight during your event!
Have your chef do a quick talk about best burger grilling practices and let your local brewery reps have a minute in the spotlight. This is a 2-in-1 event — build community relations while showcasing your drink and dining options.
3. Glow Golf
This event is for members of all ages and skill levels. Because sometimes we all forget that golf’s a game, and it’s supposed to be fun!
Open with a clubhouse buffet dinner at sunset. Then, once the sun’s set, issue participants glow-in-the-dark balls (Golfers Authority can help you choose the best ones!) and hand out glow necklaces.
Set up LED lights throughout the course to guide guests. For example, the fairway’s red, white, and blue lights provide aiming points and distance markers. Flashing red could point out bunkers, water, bridges, and other hazards to avoid. Be sure to light up flags, holes, and target landing areas. Be sure to also notify players ahead of time if this is a B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Flashlight) event!
Have your golfers turn on their golf cart lights and head to the course!
ProTip: Make sure to put safety protocol in place (e.g., no single players allowed, no unaccompanied minors, etc…), to ensure a safe experience for all!
4. Casino Night
Casino nights are always a crowd-pleaser. When guests arrive, issue each person $1,000 in “playing money.” Have wait staff circulate with drinks and appetizers like a real casino. Award door prizes throughout the night.
Essential tips for planning an upscale casino night:
- Hire real, certified dealers
- Rent gaming equipment
- Create a theme (e.g., Black-tie, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, etc.)
- Pick the right food and drinks (a sit-down dinner isn’t typically appropriate for this setting, but having staff circulate appetizers and beverages will encourage mingling)
- The right music sets the mood (e.g., DJ, band, or a well-chosen playlist, depending on your budget)
- Don’t forget the prizes!
5. Movie Night on the Green
This is a fun, family-friendly summer event idea — you could even make this a monthly event during the summer!
Rent a large outdoor movie screen and a popcorn machine. Every member gets popcorn and bottled water or soda. Offer additional snacks and drinks for purchase. Stage your movie area on the practice course or another area off the green to avoid damaging your golf course.
ProTip: Offer the option for golf cart rentals for a fun take on a traditional drive-in movie!
6. Family Poolside Luau
Host a Hawaiian-themed summer evening poolside dinner, complete with traditional luau fare (minus the roasting pig, unless your club is equipped for it!). Encourage guests to dress in Hawaiian attire and offer leis as each person arrives.
Decorate with tiki torches, flowers, and use table cloths with grass skirts. Play fun, beachy/summer music over the speakers to set the tropical mood!
End with a late-night swim party and shaved ice.
7. Junior Chef Cooking Class
Calling all junior chefs ages 6-12! Set up cooking stations for each child (or a team). Have your head chef and kitchen staff teach an age-appropriate cooking lesson and end with a competition.
Offer an extra package of a child-sized chef’s jacket and hat available for an additional purchase.
8. Family Nighttime Pool Party & Scavenger Hunt
Kids love scavenger hunts, and they’ll be begging their parents to participate in yours.
The scavenger hunt takes place on the first nine holes of your golf course. Divide participants into groups, and give each group a handout with a list of things to find, and have them snap a picture of each item when they find it (using their phone or a tablet!).
Make sure there’s at least one adult in each group, and designate one person to be the “official team photographer.”
Have your scavenger hunt items be a mix of items found on a golf course and others you’ve placed there (e.g., a lurking pink flamingo).
Give prizes out for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in your hunt.
Once the scavenger hunt is over, celebrate with dinner by the pool, hand out party favors, and pump up the jams for a pool party!
9. 4th of July Parade & Pool Celebration
What would a country club be without a killer 4th of July celebration?
The morning starts with a 9 a.m. golf tournament, followed by a golf cart parade. Award prizes for the best-decorated golf carts in categories like “Most Patriotic” and “Most Creative.”
Once the awards are handed out, it’s time for the after-parade party! Have a DJ spinning tunes, offer refreshing snow cones, and hire someone to do face painting or airbrush tattoos.
Once the after-party wraps, offer a buffet-style lunch at the clubhouse, followed by an all-afternoon pool party. Decorate your poolside area and set up activities or an ice cream stand nearby.
Include a lineup of family pool games, a poolside kid craft table, or even a watermelon eating contest.
Moving into the evening, set up a tent on the practice range. Host an all-American cookout, complete with animal balloons, face painting, airbrush tattoos, carnival games, and an adult/kid hotdog eating contest with prizes for the winners.
A band playing during this time really sets the mood for festivities.
End the day with a spectacular firework display on the golf course. This is an event your club members won’t forget and will look forward to each year.
10. Nosh and Network
Boost event bookings by hosting an event showcasing your club and all its amenities. Invite local businesses and create a welcoming space for professionals to network with each other.
Offer a primo food and beverage lineup to allow attendees to sample your executive chef’s cuisine to get an idea of your catering capabilities. Build in time for a short program, where your event coordinator can thank guests for coming and share how guests can take advantage of the club’s event spaces to host successful events for their businesses. Be sure your coordinator is available throughout the event to answer any events questions your attendees may have.
Hosting an event like this can position your club at the forefront of business owners’ minds for the next time they need to book a venue for an event.
AP Automation Streamlines Invoice Management For Your Country Club Events
It’s no secret that hosting events at your country club can boost new membership and increase current member engagement. But it’s important to understand that events — no matter their size and scope — take a lot of work to ensure they go off without a hitch. But while careful planning ahead of time is critical to a smooth event, there’s also a lot of work to do after each event, including thanking guests and paying vendors.
Post-event, your event coordinator’s time should be spent following up with attendees, planning and promoting the next event, and basking in the glow of success. But their time shouldn’t be spent drowning in event invoices.
Automating your accounts payable (AP) process is essential to closing out an event with ease. And with Ottimate, your club can automate your entire AP workflow, from invoice processing to paying vendors, so you can spend more time creating memorable experiences for your guests, and less time dealing with piles of paperwork.
Bonus: Automating your AP with Ottimate also positions your club to be better prepared come audit time. Organization and obtaining timely info BEFORE the audit is easier, faster, and more accurate with automation.
Country Club Events Are Worth It
While coming up with event ideas for your country club may seem like an overwhelming addition to your long list of to-do’s, they’re completely worth it for both your bottom line and member growth and retention. Hosting events keeps things at your club fresh and lets your members know you appreciate them. You can also gain some new members.
And remember: Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside-the-box when coming up with club event ideas! Crafting fun and unique experiences will have your members and guests buzzing with excitement — and clamoring for more memorable events to attend at your club!
And when the confetti’s swept up, the band’s gone home, and you’re left with a mountain of vendor invoices, Ottimate is here to help. Book a demo today!
Refreshed for quality and content on February 26, 2024. Originally published on November 10, 2021.
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