Waterstock GC Men

Page Last Updated 08 March, 2008

Waterstock GC Men’s Etiquette Committee Procedures and Committee Makeup

The Etiquette Committee has been appointed to administer verbal warnings and short term competition bans on members for repeated breaches of Playing Etiquette. This procedure has been introduced to allow a more measured approach to disciplining inappropriate Playing Etiquette rather than have a complex, time consuming administrative process to issue automatic bans for every breach of Playing Etiquette.

The Etiquette Committee shall consist of Club Captain, Vice Captain, Playing Committee Chairman, and Head Professional. The Etiquette committee will meet (minimum of two) as and when required to review complaints received about inappropriate Playing Etiquette of members of the club. This will include but not be limited to the following types of inappropriate Etiquette:

Failing to report to the Pro Shop 20 minutes prior to designated tee time.
Failing to show up for competitions that member has entered.
Failing to complete the full round of the competition without reasonable cause.
Failing to return signed score card into handicap box after completing their round.
Failing to show good etiquette to other players on the course when playing in group who are playing slow
Club mistreatment
Course mistreatment
Inappropriate language

Inappropriate Playing Etiquette complaints can be received from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, the club Professionals, Management, Staff, Competition Starters, members of the public and any member. All complaints will be recorded in a log book held at the club for the Etiquette Committee to review and regular periods.

On reviewing logged complaints the Etiquette Committee will have one of 4 options available to them, as follows.

Take no action
Verbally warn/council the member about the Inappropriate Playing behavior. This may also include a time period where any future inappropriate Playing Etiquette will result in a competition playing ban
Impose a competition playing ban up to a maximum of 1 calendar month
Request the matter be handled by the Playing Committee or the Disciplinary Committee

Where the Etiquette Committee imposes a Competition Playing Ban this will be communicated verbally to the member and posted on the notice board.

Members have the right to appeal the Etiquette Committee Competition Playing Ban decisions. Any appeal must be logged, in writing, to the playing committee chairman and/or club captain within 7 days. During the time of such appeal the Competition Playing Ban will be suspended. The full playing committee will then hear the appeal at their next scheduled meeting.

By Agreement of the Men’s Playing Committee

4^th September 2006

WSG Etiquette Rules V1

Waterstock GC Men’s Disciplinary Committee Procedures and Committee Makeup

The Disciplinary Committee is appointed for serious breaches of Etiquette or the Rules of Golf that in the views of the playing committee can not be appropriately administered as provided under the Rules of Golf or by the power appointed by the playing committee to the Etiquette Committee.

The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of at least 3 members of the club’s playing committee available to attend the date of any hearing called. The Chairman of the Playing committee shall appoint for the hearing a Disciplinary Committee Chairman. The Disciplinary Committee meeting may form part of the playing committee monthly meetings if appropriate.

The Disciplinary Committee shall:-

· Be unbiased

· Be familiar with the procedures outlined in this document

· Act fairly and not be afraid to seek advice on any matter about which they are unsure

· Have consideration and respect for all parties to a hearing including witnesses

A disciplinary hearing may be initiated in respect to a complaint made against any member of the club whose handicap is held by Waterstock GC. Members whose handicap is not held by Waterstock will also be subject to this process, but any action will be limited to barring member from playing in Waterstock club competitions and details of the complaint together with any evidence shall be forwarded to the members home club for there own consideration and action as they see fit.

A complaint will initially be reviewed by the playing committee Chairman, Club Captain and Vice Captain to confirm that there are reasonable grounds to hold a Disciplinary Committee hearing. In deciding if a Disciplinary Committee meeting should be held the Chairman/Captain/Vice Captain will decide if the complaint could be handled via the Etiquette Committee Process.

Members who are be subject to a Disciplinary Committee hearing will be made aware of the nature of the complaint and provided at least 14 days notice to respond to the complaint. Members have the right to put their case in writing, or in person, at the hearing.

The Disciplinary Committee will at the hearing be

· presented the evidence of the complaint

· hear/receive any testimony from the member himself

· hear/receive any other testimony from interested parties

The Disciplinary Committee shall consider anonymous or un-attributed opinions inadmissible as evidence. Hearsay evidence is admissible but the Disciplinary Committee must treat it with caution.

After hearing all testimony and evidence, the Disciplinary Committee shall consider its decision. Only members of the Disciplinary Committee shall be present when it is considering its decision. The Disciplinary Committee chairman may announce the decision in open session immediately, or adjourn the meeting to allow Disciplinary Committee further time to deliberate. In such case the DC must reach a decision within 7 days.

The decision is to be documented and sent to the member within 7 days of being made. Where the outcome of the meeting is that disciplinary action is required, the Disciplinary Committee will consider action in 2 areas. These are:-

1. Is the member to be suspended from eligibility from any Waterstock GC competition and if so for how long

2. Is the member’s handicap to be suspended, preventing him from competing in any form of competitive golf on any course that is affiliated to the EGU, and if so for how long.

A combination of one, or both, of these is possible, although suspension of playing handicap will only be considered for serious offences that are prejudicial to the interests of the club and or the local/national unions. The Disciplinary Committee may elect to suspend any disciplinary action should it believe that it is appropriate or take any other disciplinary actions it believes appropriate which for the avoidance of doubt may include handicap adjustment.

The member has the right to appeal the Disciplinary Committee decision, which may be referred by the club to the BB&O where an appeal is being made against suspension of handicap. Any appeal must be logged, in writing, to the playing committee chairman and/or club captain within 7 days. Any appeal in relation to suspension from eligibility from internal club competitions, or adjustment of handicap shall be heard by the full playing committee, using the same procedures with the decision made by the playing committee being final. During the time of such appeal the disciplinary action for suspended eligibility from Waterstock will be suspended. However, any other disciplinary action will remain effective until the outcome of the decision is announced.

The length of any playing suspension should be based on what is fair and reasonable and in line with disciplinary actions taken against other members of the club in the past for similar infractions in discipline. For serious disciplinary action and where possible guidance should be sought from the county union or EGU.

By Agreement of the Men’s Playing Committee

4^th September 2006

WSG Disipline Rules V3