Founded in 2004, Challenge Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Challenge Golf’s mission is to use the game of golf as a catalyst to expand the Kingdom of God. Golf provides a nonthreatening way to meet golfers in their circumstances, be there for them in their time of need, point them to Jesus, share the Gospel with seekers, and teach discipleship principles. Our mission field is huge, with 26 million golfers and 15,000 courses in the United States alone. The Barna Research Group produced a recent survey illustrating why it’s a mission field ripe for the harvest. A typical golf tournament with 100 players most likely includes:
- 37 suffering from alcohol or substance abuse
- 35 addicted to pornography
- 23 considering bankruptcy
- 45 alienated from their children
- 27 devastated by a failed marriage
- 2 seriously contemplating suicide
Through the CGA Tour and a collection of golf tournament events, including The Invitational©, The Challenge Cup, The Shootout, and The CGA VIP Experience, all created by and exclusive to Challenge Golf we are able to reach these men and spread the Gospel.
The Invitational is a FREE Golf Tournament Event as a visual illustration of God’s amazing grace. These are paid in full by sponsors and donors willing to use their blessings to be a blessing for the Kingdom. Our tournament partnership is with like-minded churches of various denominations where golfers from the partnering church serve as caddies in the tournament as pictures of servanthood. These caddies from the church invite their unchurched/struggling golfing friends to play in this FREE event. Our ongoing discipleship training for caddies teaches relational evangelism principles. The Invitational© is the cornerstone event of Challenge Golf ministry.
The Shootout is for our community chapters as CGA converts regulation 18-hole golf courses into 18-hole, par-3 shootouts. Each hole rewards the “closest-to-the-pin” where winners of each closest to the pin are rewarded with prizes…and you are eligible to win multiple times if you hit it well. The Shootouts are fun and play fast, with everyone literally “going for the green.’ The Shootouts are a great way to fellowship with local golfers and local believers.
CGA VIP Experiences are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet special celebrity guests, including photographs, autographs, catered meals with fellowship, interviews, and spectacular golf outings. Previous VIP Experiences include Tom Lehman, Bobby Clampett, Atlanta Braves Legends, Tim Tebow, Stewart Cink, and others. The CGA VIP Experiences are fundraising events for The Invitational©.
Praise from our most recent celebrations occurred in Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Birmingham. The Invitational© was conducted with key churches in these areas and included 20 written decisions for Christ in our last outreach tournament and 95 written decisions for Christ in our last six combined outreach tournaments. Included in these results are the mentoring of 100+ caddies and the follow-up with 300+ additional golfers. These events are the catalyst of what we do and can be tremendous outreach for growing Church discipleship.
Challenge Golf is a noble strategy with revolutionary potential and one in which you may play a significant role. The following are ways to join us in this exciting Kingdom building movement. Churches can partner with us in The Invitational outreach golf tournament event and receive our FREE services for the golf tournament. Sponsors can enlist in our annual packages to promote your business on our website, in our monthly newsletters, in our social media videos, and at each CGA event during the year. You can also receive paid entries to CGA events with your sponsorship, including VIP Experiences. Individual donors can help knowing that contributions to Challenge Golf are tax deductible. Donors may also receive paid entries to select CGA events as a “Thank You” for their support. Challenge Golf is an exciting ministry that is making a difference in the lives of many.
Imagine what the Challenge Golf Association will look like when thousands of Christian golfers across the country embrace it. And imagine what your community will look like when caring people reach dying people for Jesus!
For more information on how you can get involved with Challenge Golf please contact Derek Greene, Director of Sponsor and Donor Relations, at derek@challengegolf.org