2021 Orchard Creek Bylaws

ARTICLE I

NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The organization shall be known as ORCHARD CREEK DUFFERS golf league. When writing checks please use Orchard Creek Duffers.


ARTICLE II

MISSION STATEMENT

The Purpose of the League is:

a) To promote friendly competition between members of the Orchard Creek Duffers in a sporting environment.

b) To work toward improving individual golfing skills by providing competition that is open to all members.

c) To promote and foster among the members of this league a common bond and fraternity for their joint and mutual benefit and to conserve the best interest and true spirit of the game of golf.

d) To promote and enforce uniformity in the rules of golf, as set forth by the United States Golf Association.


ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

a) Membership in the league consists of 20 members who enjoy golf and friendly competition.

b) Membership is renewed each spring if in good standing and obeys the league rules.

c) Membership confers neither voice nor special privilege in connection with the operation of the Orchard Creek Golf Course where the league conducts its tournament play.

d) All membership fees and dues shall be established by the members themselves in such amounts as they deem are adequate to operate and maintain the not for profit Orchard Creek Duffers Golf League.


ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTE, AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Section 1. The Officers of the league are a President, Vice-President, Scorer-Recorder/Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the remainder of members, in good standing, of the Orchard Creek Duffers League. The Members of the Board of Directors shall perform those duties that are assigned to them by the President. The immediate past president shall be the chief executive of the board. The Board of Directors shall vote on an approximate award schedule at the annual pre-season meeting (Article VI). The approximate award schedule will be adopted if 50% of the people attending the annual pre-season meeting approve the schedule.
Section 3. The Executive Committee is the administrative body of the League. It consists of the elected officers and the immediate Past President. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the League between its business meetings, makes recommendations to the League, and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the league. This Committee determines the final awards based on funds available after all expenses are paid. This Committee determines the rules and informs the membership of the season's rules for tournament plays based on U.S.G.A. rules. It considers questions, which arise during the season concerning rules of play and reports to the Board of Directors, any serious problems, which may arise concerning the breach of rules.
Section 4. The members of the Special Committee shall consist of 2 members of good standing appointed by the president with the approval of the Board of Directors. It shall be the duty of the Special Committee to nominate the willing candidate for the office of Scorer-Recorder/Secretary, and Treasurer submit a slate of possible golf venues for the mid and season ending tournament.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the League.

Section 1. PRESIDENT: The President & Vice-President shall be determined as the current and past year league champion, and his term of office shall begin at the close of the season ending tournament. The President presides over meetings of the League, appoints the chairman of the special committee and forms ad hoc committees, calls meetings of the league and of the special committee, and acts as co-signer on the organization's bank account. Distributes information concerning the League to the membership, maintains a roster of the membership, and submits publicity releases to the appropriate media.

There shall be no CO-Presidents - In order to eliminate a 2 president tie the match between the two during the league will be the deciding factor of who will be president.


Section 2. SCORER-RECORDER/Secretary & TREASURER: The Scorer-Recorder/Secretary & Treasurer shall be elected by ballot to serve one year or until his successor is elected, and his term of office shall begin at the close of the season ending tournament. The Scorer-Recorder is responsible for handicaps and scoring and minutes of meetings. The Treasurer collects the annual dues from each member of the League, maintains a bank account for the League, serves as cosigner with the President for the bank account, and prepares an annual financial statement.

ARTICLE VI

MEETINGS

Section 1. An annual pre-season meeting for the New Year will take place by February 15th.
Section 2. Special meetings can be called by the President or by the Special Committee, and the purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.
Section 3. A regular meeting for the election of new officers shall take place at the Season Ending Tournament Banquet.
Section 4. A quorum consists of those members who attend the meeting.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

a) The books, records and accounts of the club shall be kept by the Treasurer and Secretary and shall be presented, to any member in good standing for their examination or inspection.

b) A brief financial statement shall be presented to the members at the Annual Meeting each year for approval by the members.

c) At all General, Annual or Special Meetings, Robert's Rules of Order shall be adhered to.


ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS

a) The Board of Directors shall have the power to repeal or amend any by-laws, regulations or duties upon receiving the approval of a majority of the members at the Annual Meeting.

b) Any member may submit proposed changes to repeal or amend any by-laws, regulations or duties by submitting such proposal to the Board at least 30 days prior to an Annual, General or Special meeting.

c) A member submitting a proposed change to repeal or amend any by-law, regulation or duty must submit such change in writing to the Board.


ARTICLE IX

LEAGUE RULES OF PLAY

ITEM # 1:

Tee Times, Failures to Comply, Scoring, Miscellaneous

The league consists of 20 players. Each player can only play his or her match every Monday afternoon with set tee times. Each player is responsible for arriving on time for his or her respective tee time on the tee box. It is expected that all members arrive by 4:00 or at the very latest 15 minutes before your tee time. Lateness may result in your foursomes tee time being moved to the last time slot.

It is the responsibility of the player to notify the Executive Committee or the Orchard Creek Pro Shop if you are going to be late for your tee time by 4:00pm. This allows for rearrangement of foursomes and not disrupt ours and the remainder of Orchard Creeks league play. 3 failures of not notifying the Executive Committee or Pro Shop will result in board of director's discussion of next year's league ineligibility.

It is the responsibility of the player to arrange a substitute if you are unable to play. 3 failures of not having a substitute will result in a board of director¹s discussion of next year¹s league ineligibility.

Rain cancellations: The President will work with Orchard Creek to determine whether play will be appropriate. You are expected to come to the course unless the course is closed or the course is not allowing carts out.

All scorecards for rounds of golf must be submitted to the league for calculation of your league handicap. Failure to comply with this can result in next year¹s league ineligibility.

New Handicap Software - Starting in the 2021 Season New software will be used that will utilize United States Golf Association newly adopted World Handicap System. The World Handicap System utilizes the net double bogey handicap. The new software willl eliminate the issues we have had regarding playing from different tees on hole #3. It will allow for the gold tee play as a par 4 and the green tee as a par 5. There is a cost of $6 per person, per year. Also, every sub will have to pay a one-time fee of $6 for the year.

Coinciding with USGA Rules as of 2019, Players are given the maximum score for a hole which is net double bogey. Even if a player writes down more than net double bogey, the official score keeper will change it to net double bogey. It's all about speed of play. If your next stroke is for net double bogey pick it up unless you and your opponent are tie. For example, if you get 2 strokes on a hole and the par is 5 you must play until you have 9 before picking up otherwise you are not reporting an accurate score. This will eliminate 10 and above on the scorecard. Of course, if your opponent also has 9 you must play it out.

The Rules of Golf United States Golf Association Rules apply except where local rules prevail.


Local Rules

Hole #3 - The tower is considered a manmade object. If your ball comes to rest in the grass under the tower or behind it, in the mowed area, you can take relief from a parallel line to the fairway from the right side of the tower no closer to the hole. You must defer to your opponent on this ruling, that he agrees your ball is in, or being obstructed by the tower. You are now also allowed free relief from the grassy area beneath the tower even if you are unable to find or identify your ball so long as you and your opponent reasonably believe and agree that your ball entered the area under the tower. See USGA rule 16:1

Hole #7 - Treat a lost ball on seven as a lateral hazard (just a penalty stroke no closer to the hole). Player should check with his opponent for the approval of where you drop.

Hole #10 - Treat out of bounds on ten as a lateral hazard if and only if the out of bounds is marked by Orchard Creek (just a penalty stroke no closer to the hole) and not an out of bounds stroke and distance. If ten does not have out of bounds markers then play your ball where it lies.

Under an apple tree you get a free drop if your club will be ruined (you must ok this with the person you are playing against and both agree where an acceptable drop is.) If you are playing against the course you must consult the other players in your group.

Coinciding with USGA Rules as of 2019, Rule 10.1b Anchoring of the Putter is no longer allow. If you have any question, please follow this link https://www.usga.org/content/dam/usga/pdf/2019/rules/2019_Anchoring_FINAL.pdf

Player handicaps are based on a computerized system and will be adjusted after each competitive round. All Players will have to pay a $6 fee per season for the cost of the scoring system.

The mid-year/year end tournament and banquet is a separate event and the price is based on the amount of subsidy the league has left at the end of the regular season.

A total of 6 failures to show up for golf without an executive committee or medical excuse and you will be ineligibility for next year's league play. Board of Directors can only overturn the failures or ineligibility.

All members and substitutes must mark their balls with a unique and identifying mark. This mark shall be presented to the other players of his foursome prior to the beginning of the round. If changing a ball this mark should be the same on the subsequent ball or if different it should be announced to the other members of his foursome for future identification of the ball.

Moving Ball in Rough - Everyone knows, you cannot move your ball in the rough, it is a penalty! We encourage all league members to politely give their opponent a reminder and warning not to do so. A second warning will result in a one stroke penalty for each occurrence which could result in a loss of hole. It is also a known rule that Orchard Creek never implements summer rules so rolling the ball in the fairway is acceptable.

Slow Play - Be aware of your speed of play. If your group is falling behind, it's incumbent for someone in the group to politely tell everyone in the group to PICK UP THE PACE. It makes it more enjoyable for everyone.


ITEM # 2:

Schedule, Prizes

A series of 19 match dates will be established for member's play, which will comprise the regular season.

No prizes will be awarded that would place into jeopardy the amateur status, as defined in the Rules of Golf, of any member of the league.


ITEM # 3:

Duties of League Members

a) Members are expected to behave in a manner that will not bring the name or the image of the league into disrepute.

b) No member shall knowingly submit a false or incorrect scorecard.

c) Members must submit their completed scorecards, dated and signed and attested to the League Secretary at the completion of the round.

d) Members of the league are expected to abide by and enforce the rules of golf as set forth by the United States Golf Association.

e) Members shall not engage in any wagering or betting that would place the amateur status of any member in jeopardy.

f) Members alleged to have committed offences contrary to league rules should be subject to punishment as decided by the Executive Committee.


ITEM # 4:

Injuries, long and short term

a) Any player suffering a long-term injury will be permitted to withdraw from further play in the league.

b) A long-term injury is defined as one that results in inability to play for period of more than four weeks.

The injured player shall be permitted to arrange for a replacement player and if so arranged, the replacement player shall assume the role of the injured player for the remainder of the season. The handicapping of the replacement player shall commence upon his playing or previous established handicap.

A short-term injury is defined as an injury that results in an inability to play for a period of less than four weeks.


ITEM # 5:

Rules Committee

a) The Rules Committee is to be made up of the Executive and Special Committee. The President shall preside as chairman.

b) A member who disputes a ruling made in accordance with Item # 1(g) may in writing, request the chair of the Rules Committee to review such a ruling.

c) The Chair of the Rules Committee on receiving a request to review a decision will examine all facts as submitted by individuals prior to making any decision to permit an appeal to take place.

d) The Chair may also consult with any person including the golf professional; he feels may assist in making a determination to allow an appeal.

e) If the Chair decides that a ruling shall stand he shall notify the individual in writing.

f) If the Chair allows an appeal to be heard he shall cause the Committee to sit and they shall hear evidence from all interested parties.

g) The Rules Committee shall then render a decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. Once their decision has been reached no further appeal will be permitted.

h) The Chair of the Rules Committee shall then notify the members involved and the League in writing of the final decision.

i) If the decision affects the league standings the treasurer/scorer shall make such changes as required in order maintaining the league records.

j) The Rules Committee shall, when required, sit in judgment of any member alleged to have breached any of the rules of conduct of the organization.

k) A member alleged to have breached any of the rules of conduct of the organization shall receive written notice of such allegation and may answer to such allegation in person or in writing at a meeting convened by the Chair of the Rules Committee to determine the guilt or innocence of the said member.

l) Said member shall also be permitted to call evidence on his behalf in defense of any allegation.

m) The decision of the Rules Committee is final and no appeal shall be permitted from any decision reached.

n) Members are encouraged to resolve any disputes among themselves and the Rules Committee shall be a place of last resort.


ITEM # 6:

Conceding Putts

This League does not sanction conceding putts for birdies or pars. All players should play out until they have reached net double bogey unless the putt is within the leather of the putter (less than 1 foot).


ITEM # 7:

Substitutes

Official substitutes are those that have an official league handicap. An official league handicap consists of a previous year handicap as a past member or substitute or a minimum of 2 rounds during the current year consisting of a front and back nine round during league play. A USGA handicap will be accepted as an official league handicap. Every substitute will be asked to pay a nominal fee of $10 to play at Orchard Creek even if the sub is a season pass holder of the course. The fee is a contribution to the League and not towards greens fees which have already been paid by the member. Substitutes will also have a onetime payment of $6 per season for the scoring system.


ARTICLE X

LEAQUE OUTINGS

The mid year/year end tournament and banquet is a separate event and the price is based on the amount of subsidy the league has left at the end of the regular season and what the Board of Directors decide on to subsidize these events. If a league member cannot attend an outing then they will be reimbursed the amount the venue reimburses the league for the golfer's absence. If a substitute plays in place of a member the league will make an effort to procure the reimbursement funds from the substitute but the ultimate responsibility resides on the absent member to secure funds from the substitute. If a member does not inform the league 24 hours before an outing (emergencies are exempt) then the league reserves the right to not reimburse the member.