Constitution & Rules
Constitution
1. Name of Society
The Society shall be known as "The Wessex Golf Society".
2. Objectives
To create a gathering of players for social, yet competitive golfing occasions.
3. Membership
3.1 The Wessex Golf Society will be limited to a maximum of 40 players.
3.2 Membership is open to all, all applicants will be invited along as a guest in the first instance. This is to allow the prospective member to access the Society, before committing to becoming a member.
3.3 Resignation from the society or the committee, must be tendered through the Chairman.
4. Annual Subscription
4.1 All members shall forward the sum of £10.00 to the committee as a joining fee on approval of membership.
4.2 All members shall forward the sum of £5.00 per annum to the committee no later than the 1st October, as membership dues for the coming year.
4.3 The Wessex Golf Society agree to pay the English Golf Union annually on the 1st November, all registration and membership fees as decided by the Executive committee of the English Golf Union.
5. Funds
5.1 The Wessex Golf Society is a non profit organisation, all monies raised shall be channelled back into the Society, in the form of events, prizes, paraphernalia etc.
5.2 In the event of dissolution of the Society, the funds, assets and properties of the Society shall be distributed as directed by the committee.
6. Royal & Ancient Golf Club / English Golf Union
6.1 The Society agree to abide by the rules of golf as laid down by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
6.2 The Society agree to abide by the rules of Amateur status as laid down by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
6.3 The Society recognises that the English Golf Union is the governing body for mens amateur golf within England and as such recognises its authority to govern the game.
6.4 The Society agree to accept the conditions as laid down by the English Golf Union in respect of the English Golf Union Registered Golf Society scheme and furthermore agree to adopt such changes as may from time to time be determined by the English Golf Union.
7. Officers & Committee
7.1 Chairman John Rochester
7.2 Secretary Scott Vass
7.3 Treasurer Brian Shedley
7.4 Committee (Maximum 5 positions)
- Chairman John Rochester
- Secretary Scott Vass
- Treasurer Brian Shedley
- Dave Mercer
- Gordon Gray
7.5 The Committee will also act as the Handicap Committee.
7.6 All Committee positions are fixed positions, and as such remain current until such time as the position holder decides to stand down.
7.7 The election of committee members is conducted by a vote of all members.
8. Competition and Handicapping Committee
8.1 The Wessex Golf Society committee will keep full records of competitions and handicaps of members as determined by the English Golf Union and said records shall be made available upon request.
8.2 The Wessex Golf Society agree to administer all handicaps as per the rules laid down by the society.
9. Discipline / Sanction Procedures
9.1 In the event of a breach of discipline of either the Wessex Golf Society rules or the English Golf Union guidelines, the following procedure applies:
9.2 The incident in question shall be assessed by the committee, recorded within the committee minutes, and if necessary the individual will not be permitted to renew their membership.
9.3 The disciplined party/s can exercise the right of one appeal to be reviewed at the next committee meeting.
10. Member Details
10.1 The Secretary shall advise the English Golf Union immediately of the names and addresses of all new members and of those who resign from the Society.
10.2 The Secretary shall advise the English Golf Union quarterly of any alteration to handicaps of its members. This shall be done in the week prior to the 1st November, 1st February, 1st May and 1st August to assist the English Golf Union in its presentation of the Society profile to affiliated golf clubs. It is in the interest of the Society to do so.
RULES
Membership
There is a membership joining fee of £10, which must be paid by all members when joining the Society.
There is an annual membership subscription of £5, payable on the 1st October.
There is only one membership category, with all members sharing the same rights.
Anyone wishing to join the Society will be invited to attend one of our events as a guest.
Guests will not be eligible to claim any prizes, except for the Team Prize, Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive.
All guests will be permitted to play one event at no additional cost, and without joining the Society. After this event, they will be expected to join the Society, or pay an additional £5 guest fee per event. As a guest, they will not be entitled to any member benefits.
If a person applies to join the Society, he will be required to forward three score cards to the committee for Handicap assessment. (not required if a member of an official golf club)
Once the cards have been received, the player will be issued with a Wessex Golf Society handicap certificate.
The committee reserve the right to remove membership status if any member breaches tour regulations. See item nine within the Society constitution.
Events
Deposits for all events are non-refundable.
Spaces for events will be managed on a first come first served basis. To secure a place, you must send your deposit cheque and event form to the Secretary.
If there are less than 8 persons for any particular event, the event may be cancelled.
Dress
Members are expected to adhere to the host course dress rules at all times.
Mobile Phones
The use of Mobile Phones on the Golf Course is forbidden. Mobile phones may be used in the clubhouse subject to Local Club Rules.
Anyone caught using a mobile phone on the course will be subject to a £2 fine for each indiscretion.
Etiquette
There is no excuse for poor etiquette. All members should actively encourage each other to improve etiquette. To help promote this, a fine system has been introduced, details of which are shown below.
Indiscretion Fine
Failing to repair a Pitch mark £1
Club Throwing £5
Hitting ground with club £2
Failing to rake a Bunker £1
Temper Tantrum £2
Standing on a players line £0.50
This list may be added to at any time, at the request of any member. All monies collected will be put back into the Society, at the discretion of the committee. All fines will be recorded, with details provided in the Newsletter.
