Retirement party ideas for a golf lover tend to start and stop at a tee time. This list covers the golf options and plenty that work for everyone else in the room, whether you're planning at the office or at home in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley.
Ten ideas
- An office send-off lunch. Book the boardroom or a nearby restaurant for a long lunch. Keep speeches to three or four people so it doesn't drag.
- A memory book. Ask colleagues and clients to send a note or photo, then print them in one book. Give people a deadline two weeks out.
- A video of messages. Collect short clips from people who can't attend. A simple phone clip is enough.
- A golf simulator at the office or at home. We bring a portable golf simulator to your office, backyard or venue, set it up in 30 to 45 minutes, and an attendant runs it. The golfers get to play, and the non-golfers join in because the games are simple. It works indoors, so a rainy day doesn't change the plan. It needs about 10 ft by 15 ft of clear space. See our corporate golf events page, or the local details for Surrey and Burnaby. A half day is $499.
- A round with the old team. Book a tee time for a foursome or two. It's the traditional option, but plan for the whole day and for anyone who doesn't play.
- A backyard barbecue. Casual and cheap. Let people come and go through the afternoon.
- A roast-style toast. Three friends, three minutes each, one funny story. Warn the guest of honour that it's coming.
- A golf-themed gift. A framed scorecard from a favourite course, an engraved putter or a gift card for a round. Ask the family what's already in the garage.
- A charity donation in their name. Choose a cause they care about and let guests chip in. A card at the party lists the total.
- A travel fund. Pass an envelope for a trip they've talked about. Add a photo of the destination.
Decide who the party is for
A retirement party is for the person leaving, but it's also a chance for the team to say goodbye together. Ask them what they'd want: a quiet lunch, a loud party, or no party at all. Some people want the speeches and some dread them. If you're not sure, ask their closest colleague or their partner, not the person themselves, so it stays a surprise if you want it to be.
Keep the speeches short
- Pick three or four speakers. Include the manager, one long-time colleague and someone who started recently.
- Give each person three minutes. Tell them ahead of time.
- Put the activity after the speeches. People relax once the formal part is over.
Planning it at the office
If the party is in the building, check with building management about outside vendors, loading access and any booking rules for shared rooms. A golf simulator needs about 10 ft by 15 ft of clear floor space and an outlet nearby. Ceiling height matters for indoor swings, so tell us the room's height when you book and we'll confirm it works. Setup takes 30 to 45 minutes, so we can be ready before the lunch crowd arrives.
A rain plan for golf lovers
If you book a round for the group, the Vancouver and Fraser Valley rain doesn't care about your tee time. Ask the course about its rain policy, and have a backup indoors. A simulator removes the problem, since it works indoors and runs on the day regardless of the forecast. Everyone who can't or doesn't want to walk eighteen holes can still join in.
Budget
Colleagues often chip in a small amount each. Set a number early, collect it a few weeks out, and decide what the money covers before you spend it. Food and a gift usually take most of it. If you want an activity as well, our half day is $499 and a full day is $799, with delivery, setup and takedown included.
Include the people who can't be there
Colleagues who work remotely, clients and former teammates often want to be part of it. Set up a shared folder or a group email where they can send a note, a photo or a short video. Print the best ones or play them at the party, and give the folder to the guest of honour afterwards.
Day-of checklist
- Confirm the headcount with the caterer two days out.
- Test the screen and speaker if you're showing a video.
- Ask one person to take photos.
- Have the gift and card ready before guests arrive.
Or hire a golf simulator for the send-off
A half day is $499 and a full day is $799, with delivery, setup and takedown included. See pricing or tell us your date. Planning something else for your team? See our team activities in Vancouver.