CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Article I - NAME
The name of this golf club shall be Kabayan Golf Club (KGC).
Article II - PURPOSE
1) To stimulate interest in golf at the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area for the Philippine-American community by bringing together a group of golfers desirous of forming a golfing organization.
2) To promote and foster among the members a closer bond and fraternity for their joint and mutual benefit, and to promote and conserve the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.
3) To encourage conformance to the USGA Rules of Golf by creating a representative authority.
4) To maintain a uniform system of handicapping as set forth in the USGA Handicap System and issue USGA Handicap Indexes to the members.
5) To provide an authoritative body to govern and conduct club competitions.
6) That the Kabayan Golf Club is NOT organized for profit. That no part of the net receipts of the club shall serve as a benefit to any private individual or member.
Article III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall be available to all, 18 years of age or older. The club shall have a maximum membership of Forty (40).
Section 2. Only golfers with a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with fellow members and who can personally return scores for posting may be members and receive USGA Handicap Indexes from the club.
Section 3. No eligible golfer shall be denied membership because of his race, creed or color
Section 4. Membership confers no voice in the operation of any golf courses, clubhouses nor any facilities of the courses and confers no special privileges in connection with any golf course.
Section 5. Memberships in the club are for a calendar year only.
Section 6. The fiscal year for the club shall be the calendar year.
Section 7. All membership fees and dues shall be established by the Board of Directors from time to time in such amounts as they deem to be adequate to operate and maintain the club. Members shall be liable for dues until their written
or oral resignation has been received and accepted. All monies collected shall accrue to the benefit of the membership.
Article IV – GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of at least three (3) members permanently selected for the entire existence of the Kabayan Golf Club. Two additional Directors shall be added if the total of number of active memberships exceeds 20, the total number of elected directors shall not exceed five (5). The directors selected should be in good standing and they shall exercise all powers of management of the club not specifically excepted by these By-Laws.
Section 2. Voting can either be written, verbal, rising or show of hands and those names receiving the greatest number of votes cast shall be declared to be elected. Only members that have been in the group for two consecutive years and in good standing can be nominated and selected elected into the Board of Directors.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall meet at such times and places as they may select and a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
Section 4. In the case of any vacancy through death, resignation, disqualification or other cause, the remaining directors, and members may elect a successor by majority vote to hold office for the unexpired term of the director whose place shall be vacant, and until the election of his successor.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall at all times act as the Financial Committee of the Club and authorize all checks drawn by the Treasurer.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall meet and nominate the President.
Section 2. The officers of the club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and the Board of Directors, their duties shall be such as their titles would indicate or such as may be assigned to them respectively from time to time.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all committees. Chairmen and members of all committees shall be appointed by the President, and the President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 4. It shall be the duties of the President to preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors, to see that all by-laws and such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Club, are strictly enforced and to supervise generally all affairs of the Club. In the absence or inability of the President to act, the Vice President shall perform all duties of the President. If the Vice President should be absent from any meeting, the Secretary shall call the meeting to order
Section 5. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Board of Directors, and of all meetings of the club, in a book for that purpose. He shall conduct the official correspondence of the Club. He shall send all notices required and attend to such other business as may belong to the duties of his office, or as he may be directed by the President and Board of Directors.
Section 6. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the Club’s funds and shall deposit them in some depository or depositories under the instructions from the Board of Directors. He shall disburse them upon warrants or checks authorized by the Board of Directors, and signed by the proper officers of the Club in settlement of accounts payable, incurred for current or previously authorized expenses of the Club. After approval of said accounts of the Club and shall submit a statement of his accounts with proper vouchers as requested by the Board of Directors, and report upon the financial affairs of the club at the last General meeting of the fiscal year. He shall perform such duties as may properly belong to his office, or as may be directed by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer’s Books and accounts shall be audited in July and November of each year, and/or at the request of the Board of Directors.
The following committees may be appointed each year, with such other committees as the president may deem necessary or advisable:
• Tournament Committee to arrange and schedule with the management of any golf course as necessary, and conduct all intra-club and inter-club competitions.
• Handicap Committee composed primarily of members with the responsibility to establish a fair and proper system of handicaps in accordance with procedures set forth in the USGA Handicap System Manual.
• Membership Committee to investigate and act upon all applications for membership and to recommend appropriate action to the Board of Directors.
• Social Committee to encourage and arrange social entertainment features and events for special occasions.
Article VI - AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
I. The Board of Directors shall have the power to repeal or amend any of these By-Laws provided that such action shall not be effective until approved by a majority vote by the Board of Directors.
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CLUB RULES
ARTICLE 1: MEMBERSHIP FEES
Initial membership Fee is One Hundred and Fifty dollars ($150.00) for the calendar year. Annual renewal fee for returning members will be One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) thereafter. Returning members are members who had originally paid initial membership fee and have not been away from the club for more than one year. New members who have previously played with the club in at least 2 occasions in the current season as a guest will have annual membership dues similar to returning members, of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150). Refunds of membership fees shall be provided less expenses incurred by the club for GHIN membership or other related expenses before a player has played his first tournament. Membership fees will be forfeited should any member decide to withdraw after their first tournament. Membership fee covers expenses such as: your GHIN handicap card and other expenses associated with the club’s year-round activities.
MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT FULLY PAID THEIR MEMBERSHIP FEES will play as guests and are not eligible to win any trophies or awards.
GUESTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO WIN ANY AWARDS OR POINTS. Guests who want to join after a round is completed are ineligible for that current round, and their membership will start at the next event.
ARTICLE 2: SCHEDULE
The tournament schedule will commence on the 2nd Saturday of April and end on the 2nd Saturday of October. There will be a total of 10 events spread throughout the tournament schedule with four (4) of them being classified as a “Major”. The exact dates and locations will be provided to the members before the start of the season.
ARTICLE 3: TOURNAMENT FEES
Members and guest shall pay in full prior to tournament starts. The fee for each tournament will be the cost of what the golf course charges plus $25. Members must see the Tournament Director or the club treasurer for payment at the golf course. We encourage members and guests to arrive at no later than 30 mins before tee time.
Any member making last-minute cancellation or cancellation made the day before the event shall be charged $25 (loss of club margin) in addition to any green fee charges imposed to the club by the golf course.
Any green fees or reservation fees charged to the club by the golf course for a no-show will be the full responsibility of the no-show member and his guest in addition to the club margin of $25
ARTICLE 4: TOURNAMENT FORMAT AND AWARDS
All designated regular and major tournament events will be based on the following point system. In the event of a tie or ties, the points totals are added together for the placed finishers and will be divided equally among the tied players for a particular position at the end of the tournament. For example, if two golfers finished tied for second, the second and third place points are summed and divided by two, with each of the golfers receiving the same number of points.
Position
REGULAR EVENTS
"MAJOR EVENTS"
TOURNAMENT WINNERS
Each tournament event will only have one (1) winner, the lowest net score (gross score minus course handicap). In the event of a tie, the club will use the following, taken from USGA Rules and Decisions, Appendix I - Local Rules;
Conditions of the Competition, Part B, Section 10, Stroke Play Matching scorecards tie breaker method:
Summarizing the non-playoff, "matching score cards" method:
Compare:
Gross score for last 9 holes minus one-half handicap; if still tied continue
Gross score for last 6 holes minus one-third handicap; if still tied continue
Gross score for last 3 holes minus one-sixth handicap; if still tied continue
Gross score for 18th hole minus one-eighteenth handicap
Example:
Assume Player-1 has a 10 handicap and Player-2 a 14 handicap.
Last 9 holes
Player-1 39 - (10 / 2) = 39 - 5 = 34
Player-2 41 - (14 / 2) = 41 - 7 = 34
Still tied...
Last 6 holes
Player-1 - (10 / 3) = 27- 3.3 = 27 - 3 = 24
Player-2 - (14/3) = 29 - 4.7 = 29 - 5 = 24
Still tied...
Last 3 holes
Player-1 - (10/6) = 12 - 1.7 = 12 - 2 = 10
Player-2- (14/6) = 14 - 2.3 = 14 - 2 = 12
Player-1 WINS!
The winner will receive a monetary award to be established at the beginning of each season. However, the point distribution will be added together for the placed finishers and equally distributed to the tied players (see example above). Major winners will receive a monetary award as defined at the start of the season by the club officers. However, the point distribution will be added together for the placed finishers and equally distributed to the tied players (see example above)
EXTRA FOR MAJORS ONLY
We have 3 flights in our Major tournaments.
Flight A – 0 – 17 Course handicap
Flight B – 18 – 27 Course handicap
Flight C – 28 and over
There will only be one player holding the major trophy, the one with the lowest net score (after any ties). However, based on your performance, there will be a consolation cash prize for winning the low net in your flight. For instance, if the major winner came from flight A, then the low net from flights B & C will have 1 consolation cash winner each. In case of a tie in your flight, the cash prize will be split among the ties. The monetary cash amount will be established at the beginning of each season
CLUB CHAMPION
The player who accumulated the greatest number of "Major" wins throughout the season will be the Club Champion, in the case of a tie for the same number of first place finishes, the tie breaker will be the number second place finishes or point standings. The monetary award for the Club Champion will be established at the beginning of each season.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The player who accumulated the greatest number of points at the end of the season will be the Player of the Year. Please refer to the point system chart for point distribution. The monetary award for the Player of the Year will be established at the beginning of each season.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER (MIP)
Awarded to the player who has improved his/her golf skill attested by the handicap index from the
start of the first tournament of the season to the end of the tournament season. This is calculated using the USGA method in determining the clubs most improved player. The monetary award for the Most Improved Player will be established at the beginning of each season.
Qualifications for MIP is only for previous year members with valid active
handicaps.
For more information please visit: http://www.usga.org/Handicapping/handicap-manual.html#!rule-14414
ARTICLE 5: Handicap and Tournament Play
All tournaments will be played in accordance with USGA rules and any local rules applied by the host club or Course unless otherwise noted under the club rules. The tournament format will be STROKE PLAY unless otherwise noted (count ALL strokes made until the ball is holed). Scorecards must be signed by scorer and witnessed by a tournament participant.
For stroke play, the maximum course handicap will be 33.0 regardless of gender.
NEW MEMBERS without verifiable handicap index cards will be subjected to the System 36 handicapping system until a valid USGA handicap index is established and made available
All tournament scores will be submitted for posting to the handicapping service and will be adjusted under the current WHS rules for posting scores.
To learn more please visit https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/world-handicap-system-usga-golf-faqs.html
Designation of the tee boxes will be made on a course-by-course basis as determined by the Club officers. We will try and institute the “Tee it Forward” initiative suggested by the PGA of America and the USGA to make the game more enjoyable.
Since the majority of members have a driver distance under 250 yards, the maximum 18-hole yardage will be 6,300 yards or the course designated regular men’s tee or tees designated by the Tournament Club Official.
Seniors 65 and over or if you are turning 65 anytime at the start of the golf season you are also eligible. You have the option of playing the front or the course-designated senior tee box. This will only be allowed if the designated senior or front tees have total course yardage that is over 5,400 yards. If the yardage is less than 5,400 then all seniors will tee off on the men's regular or white tees.
It’s an option, since teeing from the shorter tees will influence your course handicap and some longer-hitting older players may elect to still tee off from the men's tee to keep their full or slightly higher course handicap. As always, a GHIN course handicap report will be released before each event.
ARTICLE 6: INCOMPLETE ROUNDS
When weather conditions or darkness threaten a suspension of play or unforeseen circumstances, the following procedures will be used to determine the winners:
• If the last group of players has completed more than 9 holes, the tournament scoring used will be the total number of holes completed by the last group. For example, the last group played only 12 holes, the tournament will become a 12-hole tournament and net score will be based on the 12 holes and handicaps will be adjusted as such.
• If the last group of players did not complete 9 holes, the tournament will be cancelled or re-scheduled as directed by the club officers
ARTICLE 7: LOCAL CLUB RULES
AERATED COURSE or WET CONDITIONS:
If the course is aerated, lift cleaned and placed (winter rules) shall be in effect. The ball shall be marked prior to lifting and shall be placed not nearer the hole and at a distance no farther than length of a standard grip of an iron from the marker. The option for this rule shall only be in effect as directed by the Club officers per event.
BUNKERS - FAIRWAY OR GREENSIDE:
If foot prints are in the bunker or there is uneven raking, the player may lift his ball, rake the sand of the footprint or the uneven sand and place his ball closest to original lie. The intent to rake or smooth the bunker must be made aware to the playing competitors before proceeding. However, plugged balls made by the shot cannot altered. The player also has an option under the 2019 USGA rules to drop outside the bunker for a two (2) stroke penalty, the player may take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker under Rule 19.2b
PENALTY AREAS (formerly called Hazards):
If the player is unable to cross any penalty areas (water or land) on their first tee shot, and the player deems that he does not have the ability to do so with the subsequent shots, the player may drop on the other side of the hazard and will be penalized for stroke and distance (2 stroke penalty). He will be hitting his/her 4th shot from the drop area.
White stakes (out of bounds) - If a player hits it out of bounds (OB) or may be close to it, he/she should hit a provisional ball and declare it to his/her competitors. If the player does not want to invoke the provisional shot, the player may drop where the ball first went in as long as it is unanimously agreed by his/her playing competitors and proceed with stroke and distance penalty (2 shot penalty).
LOST BALL:
If a player thinks he/she may have lost the ball (woods/shrubs etc..) he/she should hit a provisional ball and declare it to his/her competitors. If the player does not want to invoke the provisional shot then the player may drop where the ball first went in as long as it is unanimously agreed by his/her playing competitors and proceed with stroke and distance penalty (2 stroke penalty). Under the 2019 USGA Rule 18.2, the time for a ball search (before the ball becomes lost) is 3 minutes.
FAIRWAY DIVOTS:
If a player finds their ball on the fairway but ends up in a divot, the player is allowed to move the ball out of the divot no more than the length of a standard grip and not nearer the hole. This only applies for the fairway designated for the hole in which the player is actually playing. The player must notify at least one of his/her playing competitors before proceeding.
HOLE-IN-ONES
Only one (1) par 3 hole per event will be designated by the club officers to be the hole-in-one hole. A player who gets a hole-in-one on the designated hole for the said event will receive a monetary prize as established by the club at the beginning of the season. The hole-in-one pot is a running pot contributed by members for each event they enter.
INCORRECT SCORECARDS:
Each player is responsible for checking their scorecards before signing it and submitting it to the tournament committee. Any scorecard submitted incorrectly to favor the player will be assessed two (2) strokes for each stroke differential in lieu of disqualification, see below.
From the USGA and RandA regarding rules in competition:
If you return a scorecard with a wrong score for any hole:
- If your returned score for a hole is higher than your actual score, your higher returned score for the hole stands.
- If your returned score for a hole is lower than your actual score or no score is returned for a hole, you are disqualified.
SLOW PLAY ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
The slow play committee will be comprised of:
Ed Ruiz
Amador
Alberto
Any slow play penalties will be levied by this committee on the group called out for slow play.
Here are our guidelines:
Any following group will be considered out of position if it is:
a) called out or pointed out by the course ranger or marshal that the group is out of pace with clear evidence.
b) reaches the tee on a par 3 and the preceding group has cleared the next tee, fails to clear the tee of a par 4 hole before the preceding group clears the putting green, or arrives at the teeing ground of a par 5 hole when the preceding group is on the putting green.
Penalties for Breach of Rule 6-7
First offense – Warning (usually comes from the ranger or marshall monitoring the course)
Second Offense - 1 Stroke penalty for each member of the group out of position
Third Offense - 2 Stroke penalty for each member of the group
Fourth Offense - 2 stroke penalty for the player responsible for causing this infraction.
NOTE: Timing will discontinue when the group has regained its position.
From the USGA... STROKE PLAY
Players should play at a prompt pace throughout the round. Players are both allowed and encouraged to play “ready golf” in a safe and responsible way (Rule 6.4b) and should make a stroke in no more than 40 seconds (Rule 5.6b).
Rule 6-7 Undue Delay
The player shall play without undue delay. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player shall not unduly delay play.
All infractions or penalties that occur during a tournament should be resolved by the group where the infraction(s) occurred. If it cannot be resolved due to differences of opinion or do not know the rules, then an asterisk and an alternate score should be marked for that hole. Do not sign the scorecard, it should be brought to the committee to sort out the arguments immediately after the 18th hole is completed. A decision solely based on the rules of golf will be levied and correct whatever penalty or score adjustment is needed.
We should address all issues and not let them linger and fester as hearsay on the 19th hole.
For some examples of infractions:
• Dropping in the wrong spot (a very common occurrence). Drop where the ball entered the woods or penalty areas not where you think it should have landed in the fairway.
• Ending with a different ball (make or brand or color) than when started from the tee (mark your ball and show your playing partners, which is standard practice for tournaments)
• Teeing outside the tee box (more forward than you are supposed to)
• Swing and a miss on top of your ball (and don’t say it’s a practice swing)
