Club Rules

DEFINITIONS

 

“CLUB” means Wishaw Golf Club

“COMPANY” means Wishaw Golf Club Limited

“PROPRIETORS” means the Directors and Shareholders of Wishaw Golf Club Limited

“MEMBERS” means those persons accepted into membership of the Club from time to time in accordance with these rules

“COMMITTEE MEMBERS” means those persons elected to committees in accordance with rules 11 and 15

 

  1. NAME OF CLUB

The Club shall be called “The Wishaw Golf Club” it is a proprietary owned Club, the proprietors being the Directors and Shareholders of the Wishaw Golf Club Limited.

 

  1. OBJECTIVES

The objectives are to provide facilities to play the game of golf and to provide social activities.

 

  1. RULES OF GOVERNING BODIES

The Company and the club recognise the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews as the ruling body of Amateur Golf and will abide by the rules of Golf and Amateur Status as laid down from time to time by the R & A. The Company and the Club will comply with the Regulations and Rules of the SSS & Handicapping Schemes (and any conditions imposed within the schemes) as imposed from time to time by England Golf and CONGU. The Company and the Club will comply with the Constitution and Rules of England Golf and the respective County Unions as laid down from time to time. The Company shall pay all subscriptions due to the County Unions and England Golf in respect of all playing members of whatever category. These Governing Body Rules shall not be revoked without the prior written consent of England Golf.

 

  1. MEMBERSHIP

Application to join the Club will be by registration form available from shop, each application being subject to the approval of the Company. Details of new members and those who have resigned will be made available to the Club Members’ Committee.

 

  1. ENTRANCE FEE

A new member shall pay an initial (non-refundable) entrance fee set from time to time by the Company.

 

  1. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS & GREEN FEES

All subscriptions and green fees will be set annually by the Company before 1 March each year and will be displayed on the notice board in the Clubhouse. Annual subscriptions shall be due and paid before 31 March each year. New members joining during the course of the year will pay a pro-rata amount of the relevant subscription for that year. Any member whose subscription is unpaid one month after the date due, demanded or not, shall cease to be able to exercise the privileges of membership, and may have their name removed from the membership records of the Club.

 

  1. DISCIPLINARY RULES & EXPULSION OF A MEMBER

Members are expected to observe the Rules of the Club and the etiquette of the Rules of Golf. And alleged breaches of the Rules or improper behaviour anywhere on the Club premises should be reported to either the Ladies’ or Men’s Club Captain or their deputies in the first instance. If the matter cannot be settled by discussion with the Club Captain or the matter is deemed to be too serious dealt with by the Club Captain alone, then a formal written complaint should be made within the 7 days and addressed to the Club Captain. The person(s) against whom the complaint is made will be contacted and at this point must provide a written response to all allegations. The matter will be investigated by the Club Captain in conjunction with two Directors of Wishaw Golf Club Limited. It may be publicised within the Club for additional comments and may be discussed at the Club Members’ Committee meetings. In the first instance, the Directors will decide on the appropriate action having considered the facts from all parties concerned and with reference to the Rules of Golf. Possible action may include a written warning on future behaviour, suspension of membership or a recommendation to the Members’ Committee from the Directors for expulsion from the Club. The decision of the Directors of Wishaw Golf Club Limited will be final.

 

  1. MEMBERS’ GUESTS

Each member will be allowed to bring up to 8 guests per year at the reduced Members’ guests’ rate in any combination of days/numbers of guests. The member shall accompany his guests and will be held responsible for ensuring that the appropriate green fees are paid. Whilst in the curtilage of the Club, the introducing member shall be responsible for ensuring that the guests observe the Rules of Golf, Golfing Etiquette, and all local Club Rules, abide by the Club rules and sign the visitors book.

A junior member may only introduce junior guests. Any breaches of these Rules, improper behaviour or conduct should be reported to the Club Management at the appropriate time.

 

  1. PAY & PLAY VISITORS

Will be issued with a receipt which will allow those persons to use the facilities of the course and the Club premises and purchase food and drink only on the date on the receipt. A visitor’s book will be lodged in the Clubhouse and should be signed by visitors. All visitors are expected to observe the Rules of Golf, Golfing Etiquette, and all local Club Rules. Any breaches of these rules, improper behaviour or conduct should be reported to the Club Management at the appropriate time.

 

  1. FINANCIAL YEAR

The Financial Year of the Club shall extend from 1st January until 31st December for the purpose of the Competition Account and the Social Account. An Auditor will be appointed at each AGM who will be responsible for approving and signing off the accounts. The Auditor cannot be a member of the Finance Sub Committee.

 

  1. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE OF THE CLUB

11.1 MEMBERS’ COMMITTEE

A Members’ Committee shall be responsible to the Company to assist in an advisory capacity in the running of the Club activities, organising competitions and setting and revising handicaps.

The Members’ Committee shall consist of the following members:

 

Managing Director

Chairperson                                        Treasurer

Secretary                                          Competition & Handicap Secretary

Club Captain                                       Club Vice-Captain     

Club Lady Captain                               Seniors’ Team Captain

 

The Company shall also have representation on the committee.

Members of the Committee (with the exception of the Managing Director, Club Captain, Club Vice-Captain, Club Lady Captain and Seniors’ Team Captain) shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and serve for a period of two years. At each annual meeting, half of the two yearly elected members shall retire. Retiring members may seek re-election should they so wish. The Members’ Committee shall normally meet once a month. A quorum shall be 4 committee members with at least one Director in attendance should recommendations affecting the company be concerned. The Committee may co-opt any person to serve on the Committee. Co-opted members, apart from those filling vacant or vacated positions listed in para 1 above shall not be empowered to vote at committee meetings.

 

11.2  COMPETITION & HANDICAP SUB COMMITTEE

The Competition and Handicap Sub Committee shall comprise of the Competition and Handicap Secretary and at least four members two of whom are the Club Vice-Captain and Club Lady Captain. The additional members of this Sub Committee shall be selected and serve for as long as deemed appropriate by the Competition and Handicap Secretary and endorsed by the Members’ Committee. The Competition and Handicap Secretary shall devolve specific responsibilities to the members as the Competition and Handicap Secretary decides appropriate. The Sub Committee Secretary shall report on activities to the Members’ Committee at each meeting.

 

11.3  SOCIAL SUB COMMITTEE

The Committee shall comprise a minimum of four members to include as Chairperson the Members’ Committee Chairperson. The Sub Committee will include the Managing Director or a nominated employee of the Club and the Club Lady Vice-Captain. Additional members can be involved if deemed necessary. The function of this Sub Committee will be to arrange and hold social events for the members of the Club. The Sub Committee Chairperson to report on activities to the Members’ Committee at each meeting.

 

11.4 FINANCE SUB COMMITTEE

The Sub Committee will comprise of the Club Treasurer, Seniors’ Team Treasurer and additional members as required. The Club Treasurer will provide a financial report at each meeting of the Members’ Committee.

 

11.5 SENIORS’ TEAM SUB COMMITTEE

Membership of the Seniors’ Team Sub Committee will be agreed at the Seniors’ Team Annual AGM. The membership to include the Seniors’ Team Captain who will provide a report at each meeting of the Members’ Committee.

 

11.6 GREENS SUB COMMITTEE

The Greens Sub Committee will be chaired by the Club Managing Director. The membership will also include the Head Greenkeeper, and representatives from all sections of the Club. The Managing Director will provide a report at each meeting of the Members’ Committee.

 

11.7 TEAMS’ SUB COMMITTEE

The Teams’ Sub Committee will be chaired by the Club Captain and include the Lady Club Captain, Seniors’ Team Captain, Junior Captain and Captains from the Club Teams. The Club Captain will provide a report at each meeting of the Members’ Committee.

 

11.8 LADIES’ SUB COMMITTEE

The Ladies’ Sub Committee will be chaired by the Club Lady Captain. The Sub Committee will also include the Lady Vice Captain, the Ladies’ Fixture Secretary and the Ladies’ Secretary. Appointments will be approved at the Ladies’ AGM. The Club Lady Captain will provide a report at each meeting of the Members’ Committee.

 

  1. CLUB CAPTAIN & CLUB VICE CAPTAIN

The Club shall appoint a Club Captain and elect a Club Vice Captain at the AGM. Both appointees must be 7 day members during their term of office. Each shall serve for a period of one year. The Club Vice Captain will, in normal circumstances, be nominated for the position of Club Captain after serving as Club Vice Captain and confirmation of this will be sought at the AGM.

 

  1. JUNIOR CAPTAIN

The Club shall appoint a Junior Captain at the AGM in September. The Junior Vice Captain will be elected at a meeting of the Juniors Section.

 

 

  1. CLUB LADY CAPTAIN AND CLUB LADY VICE-CAPTAIN

The Club Lady Captain and Club Lady Vice-Captain, who must be 7 day members during their term of appointment, will be elected in accordance with the Ladies’ Section constitution and the appointment recorded at the AGM.  The Club Lady Vice-Captain will be co-opted onto the Members’ Committee for the last three meetings prior to the AGM.

 

  1. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting in March. The Secretary shall give a minimum of 60 days’ notice of the date of this meeting to the membership. The Secretary shall also advertise on the Club notice board the positions which are vacant or fall due to be filled at the AGM, 28 days before the date of the meeting, inviting nominations which must be in the hands of the Secretary at least 14 days before the date of the AGM. Nominations must be made in writing and must bear the signature of the proposer and seconder. Nominees for all positions must be members of the Club and, with the exception of the Junior Captain be 21 years or over. In the event of more than one nomination for a position, a card vote (secret ballot) will be held. Any proposals or propositions to be included in the AGM must be sent to the Secretary, in writing, at least 28 days before the date of the AGM. All proposals will be acknowledged by the Secretary. The Secretary shall publish any such proposals on the notice board at least 14 days before the date of the AGM. Should a vote be required on any such proposal, an open ballot will be conducted unless any member requests a secret ballot, card vote. A majority vote will apply with the Chairman having a casting vote. Business to be conducted at the AGM will include the Secretary’s Annual report on behalf of the Members’ Committee, the adoption of the Competition Accounts and the Social Accounts, the confirmation of the Club Captain and the election of committee members and other officers as required under these rules. Additionally, an auditor shall be elected at each AGM with responsibility for auditing the Competition and Social Accounts.

 

  1. LOCAL RULES

Members and visitors are required to make themselves familiar with the Rules of Golf and any Local Rules which will be exhibited on the Club notice-board and/or the scorecard.

 

  1. GENERAL RULES

Members and visitors are requested at all times, both on the course and in the Clubhouse, to dress in accordance with acceptable standards. Smart, casual clothes should be worn at all times. The Club has a “Dress Code” details of which will be posted on the notice board. This code must be observed at all times. Playing members are required to display their disc on their bag at all times. Visitors are required to display their “day pass” on their golf bags. Members and visitors must recognise the out of bounds areas and not cause damage to fences hedges or crops in attempting to retrieve a ball. They must not go onto any land that is not part of the golf course to retrieve a ball. A ball out of bounds must be deemed lost and disregard of this rule will be considered a serious breach of the club rules.

 

  1. PRIORITY ON THE COURSE

In the absence of special rules, two ball matches should have precedence and be entitled to pass any three or four ball matches. A single player should give way to a match of any kind. If a match fails to keep its place on the course and loses more than one clear hole on the players in front, they must allow the match following to pass. If the etiquette of golf or the Club rules are being overlooked, any member is entitled to draw this to the attention of the offender in a respectful manner. If this is ignored the incident should be reported to the Club management as soon as possible after completion of the game. Players starting at a tee other than the first tee should give precedence to those already in play so as to ensure that play is not slowed down. Play must only commence from an alternative tee after it has been sanctioned by the Club management. Players filtering back onto the 1st tee must give priority to those waiting to tee off for their 1st hole.

 

  1. SOCIETY DAYS

Society days will be at the discretion of the Club manager who being aware of the Club Competitions calendar and demands of various Members’ sections will display the society days and times on the notice board in advance. On weekends societies will generally not play before 1200 hours.

 

  1. MOBILE TELEPHONES

Mobile telephones can cause distractions to other users of the course and even hold up play. If it is necessary to carry a mobile telephone onto the course then its use should be limited to emergency calls and the incoming ring tone should be set to minimum volume. However, if a member feels inconvenienced by the use of a mobile telephone and feels improper use has been made, then it should be reported to the Club management. Any complaints will be taken up with the user and in extreme cases may be reported to the Club Captain for further action. Members should not hold conversations on their mobile phones in the bar or conservatory areas.

 

  1. DISSOLUTION

Should Wishaw Golf Club be dissolved for any reason at any time, members’ funds resting in the Competition Account and the Social account shall be equally divided between the membership existing at the date of dissolution providing that they have been members for a minimum of 12 months at the date of dissolution.

 

  1. ALTERATIONS OF CLUB RULES

With the exception of amendments to rule 3, these Rules shall only be altered at an AGM or an extraordinary meeting called for the express purpose of a Rule alteration and shall require a two-thirds majority to endorse any alterations.

 

  1. GENERAL

Members should at all times check the notice boards in the Club and the Website for up to date news of Club activities and changes to local and golf rules.

 

  1. INTERPRETATION

The Members’ Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of the Club rules and the rules and decisions made by them.