Membership

Club Bye-Laws - Last updated on 3rd September, 2007.

Goring & Streatley Club Rules empower the Committee to make such Bye-Laws as it may from time to time consider necessary for the well being of the Club, such Bye-Laws having effect until revoked by the Committee or set aside by a General Meeting.

As circumstances dictate it may be necessary to amend these Bye-Laws and introduce others. Any such changes will be advised to members via the Club notice board and by electronic mail. An up-to-date copy of the Bye-Laws is maintained on the Club website.

All members of the Club are requested to draw to the attention of any other member or visitor the requirements of any Bye-Law.

Index of Club Bye-Laws.

 


1. Membership Categories (For definitions see Club Rules.)

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Full Members

A) Honorary
B) 7-Day
C) 5-Day Plus
D) 5-Day

Associate Members

E) Short Term
F) Intermediate/Student
G) Junior
H) Cadet
I)  Country
J) Absentee
K) Social

If the total number of Full Members of either sex falls below 110, the Club’s fast-track system for entry into membership will be used. The highest placed applicant of that sex on either the 5-Day Plus or 5-Day waiting list will be offered the next available space.
 


2. Fees

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a) Entrance fees are charged based on the categories of membership and reviewed annually by the GMC.

Transfer from five to seven day playing membership:

b) No additional entrance fee is payable but in order to transfer to 7-Day membership the following handicaps are required: Men-24, Ladies-32.

Subscriptions:

c) The Annual Subscription of any Member who attains the age of 80 years (having been a Full Member for at least 25 years) or who is proposed and approved by an AGM/EGM to move to a Life Membership category shall have their subscriptions discounted by 100%, but continue to be liable to other non-subscriptions payments.

5-Day Plus Members:

d) In addition to course use Monday to Friday 5-Day Plus members may also play the course at weekends after 1.00 p.m.

5-Day Members:

e) A five-day member may play on Saturday and Sunday on payment of a green fee as determined from time to time by the GMC and detailed on the schedule of green fees charges.
 


3. Swipe Cards

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a) Swipe cards are routinely issued and payments charged to those membership categories as determined by the GMC. Other categories of members may be provided with swipe cards on application to the Secretary/Manager.

b) Swipe Cards are used to enable members to make bar purchases and pay for Sunday lunches, to enter stroke play competitions, and as a security device.

c) The increase in the amount payable by Full Members to the swipe card account is determined annually by the GMC but the total of the payment shall not exceed 17.5% of the 7-Day Members annual subscription.

d) Commencing from 1st October, 2006 the following arrangements apply to the annual swipe card levy credited to swipe card accounts held by members:-

Any unused balance of the annual swipe card levy remaining at the end of the Club’s financial year* will be forfeited except any additional top-ups that may have been added to the card account.

Note: Competition costs charged to swipe cards are not included in determining unused swipe card levy balances.

*Note: For purposes of implementing the change in the Club’s financial year agreed at the EGM on 13th June, 2007 year the applicable dates will be:

  1. 1st October 2007 to 31st March 2008 and then
  2. 1st April 2008 to 31March 2009

e) Members swipe cards can be topped up by paying into the bar the amount required to be credited subject to a minimum of £5 (cash) or £20 (cheque).

f)Upon resignation or failure of payment of a direct debit, the Club has the right to transfer any unused swipe card balances of former members to Club funds.
 


4. Visitors

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a) Members' guests may play at any time on payment of the appropriate green fee (For restrictions see Club Rules).

b) Members' guests using the Clubhouse facilities must sign the Visitors Book.

c) Casual Visitors are not permitted to play at weekends or bank holidays without the express permission of the Secretary/Manager or his appointed nominee.

d) No play is permitted before payment of the appropriate green fee. A handicap certificate is required and visible evidence of the correct golfing attire.
 


5. Dress

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a) On the Course,

Members and visitors are expected to dress in a suitable and respectable manner as illustrated in Appendix 1. Dress Guidelines for Members and Visitors.

The Secretary/Manager or any Committee Member is empowered to ask any person not suitably dressed to amend his/her mode of dress.



6. The Clubhouse

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a) During B. S. T. the Clubhouse opens at 7.30 a.m. and during the remainder of the year at 8.00 a.m.

b) Children under the age of 10 years are not permitted in the immediate vicinity of the bar.

c) Credit facilities are not available for either Members or guests. However, credit cards (and debit cards) may be used for the purchase of food & drink and for the payment of green fees. Credit cards cannot be used to obtain cash, or to pay for social functions organised by the Club. Debit cards may be used to obtain cash from the bar.

d) Cheques are acceptable subject to presentation of a covering cheque guarantee card. This facility is subject to the cash requirements of the House Manager or his staff. For Members wishing to cash cheques, the minimum sum allowed will be £20.00.

e) Magazines and other Club literature must not be removed from the premises.

f) No notices may be posted on the Club premises without the permission of the GMC.

g) Members and guests are not permitted to bring animals into the Clubhouse (save for Guide Dogs for the Blind) nor onto the Course.

h) Members' Private Functions. Requests for bookings are to be made to the Secretary/Manager and confirmed in writing together with the appropriate deposit.

i) Members and visitors may not bring golf clubs into the Clubhouse.


7. The Course

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a) Safety: Players must have proper regard for the safety of other players or persons on the course at all times and abide by the Club’s Course and Buggy Safety Policies as set out in Appendix 2 and 3 respectively.

b) Insurance cover: See paragraph 18.5 of the Club Rules.

c) Course Closure: Whilst the course is open normally from dawn to dusk daily its use is governed by the provisions of the Course Policy Document and it may be closed with or without notice by the Secretary/Manager, any member of the GMC, or an Officer of the Club, as circumstances dictate. Players must not start play, or if playing must leave the course, if notice of its closure is advised.

d) Tee closure: On certain designated days play may be prohibited from nominated tees for a specific period at the discretion of the Secretary/Manager or the GMC.

e) Tee Reservations: Tee reservations have priority at all times. These times are published on the Notice Board.

f) Order of Play: Except where Tee Reservations apply, the order of play at busy times will be determined by the placing of balls in the ball-chute next to the first tee. A ball should not be placed in the ball-chute until all participants in the match are on the course.

g) Precedence: The Captain has precedence at all times from the first tee. PGA qualified Professionals, the Captain, the President, Captain/Pro matches, and Ladies' Captain/Pro matches can play from the back tees throughout the year.

h) Players playing a full round have precedence over players playing only part of a round.

i) Players starting at holes other than the first and playing a full round must alternate when arriving at the first tee. No member may start at any starting point other than the first, unless there is a clear hole between them and the group behind.

j) Ladies' Day: Thursday is the recognised day for Ladies' competitions. 3 ball and 4 ball matches are not permitted from the first tee for one half-hour prior to the beginning of the Ladies' Tee Reservation on Ladies Day published from time to time.

k) Children under the age of 10 are not permitted on the course unless accompanied by an adult Member.

l) Practice on the Course: A Member playing a part or full round is not permitted to play more than two balls.

m) Practice with more than two balls is only permitted on the designated practice areas.

n) Mobile telephones are not to be used on the course but may be carried in the golf bag (switched off) for Health & Safety use only in the event of an emergency arising during play.

o) Car-Parking: Parking at the top of the course is limited to the area allocated for that purpose. I.e. the area alongside the Aldworth Road, and the practice areas.

p) Trolleys: For certain periods, as dictated by ground conditions, a trolley ban may be brought into operation. During such periods no trolleys may be used on the course. Members with a current medical certificate and authorisation (renewable annually) from the Captain may use a trolley provided a special 'Bag Tag', issued by the Club, is displayed. Members who are of 70 years of age and above may also apply for this special bag tag by writing to the Secretary/Manager. Trolleys must not be taken into any areas designated from time to time by white lines and a failure to observe this Bye-Law may result in the instigation of disciplinary proceedings.

q) Buggies shall be used only by Members who have received the specific permission of the GMC. Such Members must make an annual application for renewal of that permission. Visitors may use a buggy only if the Secretary/Manager has given prior written permission. In all cases persons using a buggy must sign a letter of disclaimer in the form required by the Club and whenever called upon to do so produce evidence of current comprehensive insurance cover relating to the use of such buggy.

r) Winter Rules: Winter Rules will only apply when a notice to that effect is displayed in the clubhouse. When these rules are in force the flagstick should be either left in or removed completely and not attended, except during Club Competitions.

s) At all times any ball which lands on a green (temporary or proper) not in play must be lifted and dropped off that green before being played.

t) Intermediates and Juniors are requested to give priority to other members during the following tee times:

Saturdays & Sundays:
British Summer Time 12noon - 1:30pm
Remainder of the year 12noon - 1:00pm

u) SLOW PLAY AND THE PROBLEMS IT CAUSES SHOULD BE THE CONCERN OF ALL PLAYERS AT ALL TIMES

When the course is heavily congested this concern should be shown by positive action to ease the situation, e.g. walking briskly between shots, being sensitive about where to leave clubs/trolleys, particularly in the vicinity of the putting green, and being ready when it is one's turn. At all other times, when the course is not heavily congested, slower games must give consideration to quicker games following. This consideration would normally extend to an invitation to the players following to play through at the earliest opportunity.

v) No matches of more than 4-balls may be played at any time.

w) Procedures contained in the Course Policy Document have the same force as these Bye-Laws and are deemed to be incorporated herein.

x) The area to the left of the 17th winter green and hole 3A (when not in play on the card) are designated practice grounds.

y) Members are required to display their bag tags at all times while on the course, the colour of the bag tag is dependant on the category of membership.
 


8. Competitions & Matches

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a) The "Competition Book", which details the regulations and format of Club competitions has been adopted by the GMC and shall have the same force as these Bye-Laws and deemed to be incorporated herein.

b) The Captain and Ladies' Captain will appoint the captains of teams representing the Club.
 


9. Complaints Procedure

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Complaints about the staff and other matters must be made to the Secretary/Manager (preferably in writing) or to the General Committee in writing.
 


10. Contravention of the Bye-Laws

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Any member who contravenes any Bye-Law may be expected to be reported to the Secretary/Manager or the General Committee.
 


11. Procedure for Selection of the Vice Captain and President

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Vice-Captain:

Procedure for selection of the Vice-Captain:
A meeting of Captains will be held no later than 14 days before the October meeting of the General Management Committee, with the Vice-Captain in attendance, to draw up a short list of candidates for Vice-Captain.

Procedure for the meeting:
1) The Captain chairs the meeting.
2) The Captain opens the meeting with short list of candidates.
3) The Vice-Captain submits his pick from the short list (can be any number) and his pick is supported by a short synopsis for his choice.
4) Captain can add to the list with reasons; followed by the President and Past Captains again adding to the list if they wish and with their synopsis.
5) The Captain then calls for a hand vote to select the top 4 candidates.
6) These 4 names are then carried forward to a paper ballot vote by each member present; listing their first choice; second choice and third choice. (3 points for 1st choice; 2 points for 2nd choice and 1 point for 3rd choice). The ballot papers are then counted by the Captain and Vice-Captain, the candidate with the most points will be first choice, the second highest points second choice and the third highest points third choice.
7) In the case of a tie the candidate with the most 1st votes will be first choice.
8) The Captain and Vice-Captain will announce the result to the meeting.

Nomination and approval:
1) The Vice-Captain will approach the first choice candidate to see it that person is prepared to accept nomination. Should the candidate decline nomination, a similar procedure is followed with the second choice, and if necessary with the third.
2) Following acceptance, the nomination shall be announced by the Vice-Captain at the next meeting of the General Management Committee.
3) Immediately after the General Management Committee meeting, the nominee’s name shall be posted in the Clubhouse to inform all members and notice will also be given on the website to members.



President:

1. No later than three months prior to the end of his three-year tenure, the President shall call a meeting of a Selection Committee comprised of all available Past-Presidents, the Captain, the Ladies Captain, the Vice-Captain and the Immediate past Captain, the Chair of which shall be the President.

2. The President shall compile and present to the Committee a list of candidates. The Committee shall, by majority decision, select a First Nominee and a Second Nominee.

3. The President shall invite the First Nominee to accept the nomination and if he shall refuse it then the invitation shall be made to the Second Nominee.

4. Following such acceptance, the nomination shall be presented by the President at the then next General Management Committee Meeting for its approval and support.

5. Immediately after the General Management Committee has given its approval of the nomination, the nominee's name shall be posted in the Clubhouse as the General Management Committee's approved candidate for President for the ensuing three years.
 


12. General Management Committee (GMC).

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a) Procedure for selection of the Chair of the GMC:

The President or another Officer of the Club (except the Captain) shall initially take the Chair at the first GMC meeting in January each year and call for nominations for the Chair. In selecting the Chair the GMC shall adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The incoming Captain is neither required nor has the right to chair the GMC.

2. Continuity of policy in respect of Club business plans and previous experience in chairing sub-committees are considered.

(b) The President:

The President shall act in an advisory capacity to the GMC but shall not be required to serve on any sub-committee.
 


13. Waiving of the Bye-Laws.

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The Bye-Laws may be waived with or without notice by the Secretary/Manager, the General Committee or an Officer of the Club as circumstances dictate.

Any member wishing to have clarified, or seek advice about any or all of the Bye-Laws is advised in the first instance to do so through the Secretary/Manager, who, if circumstances dictate, will address the matter to the appropriate sub-committee.
 


Appendix 1. Dress Guidelines for Members and Visitors.

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General

Members and visitors are expected to maintain an appropriate standard of dress both on the Course and in the Clubhouse at all times. The following are not acceptable on the Course:
1) DENIM JEANS * (SEE BELOW)
2) SHORTS, UNLESS OF THE TAILORED VARIETY * (SEE BELOW)
3) TRAINERS

Gentlemen must wear shirts with collars, or collarless if  the shirt is designed for playing golf, and in all cases they must be tucked in at the waist. Ladies may wear short golf shirts outside if they are specifically designed for that purpose with a collar or sleeve.

  • DENIM JEANS are defined as those garments which are fastened with studs, have stitches on pockets and seams sewn in contrasting thread.
  • TAILORED SHORTS when worn should not be more than 10cms/4 inches above the knee; they should have pockets and in the case of gentlemen be front fastening, not tied at the waist and worn with preferably long or short sports socks that cover the ankle bone.

Within the Clubhouse

Ground Floor Bar Areas of the Clubhouse.

Smart casual dress, including clean and dry golfing attire, may be worn in all ground floor areas of the Clubhouse. No wet or muddy clothing, golf shoes, waterproof clothing or hats are permitted in any area of the Club except the Changing Rooms (golf shoes are also permitted in the Centenary Bar). Shoes must be worn in all areas of the Clubhouse. Gentlemen must wear socks with shoes at all times.

First Floor Restaurant

Smart casual dress (e.g. collared shirt, slacks and shoes) may be worn at all times except that more formal dress may be required for some Club events and as may be agreed with the event organiser prior to an external function taking place.

Mobile Telephones.

To avoid disturbance of others Mobile Telephones may be used in the Roy Mason Bar and outside. We ask that ring tones be silenced and individuals keep the volume of their conversation to a level that does not interfere with others relaxation. At no time may a mobile phone or indeed the camera be used within the confines of a locker room.

The Secretary/Manager or any Committee Member is empowered to ask any person disregarding these guidelines to refrain from using their phone within the confines of others.
 


Appendix 2. Course Safety Policy

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1. ADVERSE WEATHER

The course may be closed, or play suspended, when extreme and/or adverse weather conditions occur and damage to the course, or risk to personal safety would result if play were permitted. In conditions of fog, play is considered dangerous if visibility falls below 200 metres. When lightning is seen in the vicinity of the course, a klaxon may be sounded, and no play is to commence until a period of 15 minutes from the last lightning strike / thunder clap has been observed. It is incumbent upon each member or visitor to assess the risk and ensure that they take appropriate measures to ensure safe passage from the course.

2. PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY

All golfers must give way to users of the public right of way which runs through the course crossing the 1st, 14th, 15th, 17th, and 18th holes. Warning bells are situated for use by walkers to warn golfers of their presence on the 15th and 18th holes.

3. WARNING BELLS

Warning bells are provided when leaving the 3rd and 11th greens to advise following players that the greens have been cleared. A bell is also provided on the hillside half way down the 17th hole to advise following players it is safe to drive. All players are requested to use these bells.

4. ROAD CROSSING

When leaving the 6th and 13th greens it is necessary to cross the B4009. All players are advised to use caution when crossing this road.

5. PLAYERS AND GREEN STAFF

During the early part of the day players are asked to give priority to greens staff. After course preparation, greens staff are to give priority to players. When the flag has been removed by the greens staff, this indicates the hole is out of play. Players are asked to wait until it is replaced which will indicate the hole is safe to play again.

6. NOTICES TO MEMBERS AND VISITORS

External notice boards show when :
a) Chemicals are being used on the course
b) Abnormal work is in progress
c) Greens are in temporary / winter use
d) Restrictions apply on the use of trolleys
 


Appendix 3. Buggy Safety Policy

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The Club has a duty of care to all users of the golf course, including pedestrians using the public right of way. The topography of certain areas of the course is such that caution and prudence must be shown by all users of ride-on buggies. To ensure the safety of all golf course users, buggy drivers and passengers are required to comply with the following conditions:

WHO CAN USE A GOLF BUGGY

  1. Privately owned buggies may only be used with prior permission from the Club
  2. All buggy users must hold a valid full UK driving license
  3. No person under the age of 17 may operate a buggy

WHERE & WHEN BUGGIES CAN BE USED

  1. All signs directing traffic movement must be strictly observed
  2. No buggy shall be driven on or near any tees, greens, or bunkers
  3. Wet areas and ground under repair must be avoided
  4. The Club may prohibit the use of buggies when ground conditions are unsuitable

SAFE USE OF A GOLF BUGGY

  1. No more than 2 persons and 2 sets of clubs shall be carried on a buggy
  2. Drivers should be fully conversant with the controls of the buggy
  3. Brakes should be applied gently to avoid skidding
  4. No standing on a buggy while it is in motion
  5. Hands and feet must be kept inside the buggy at all times
  6. Caution must be exercised when reversing
  7. Caution must be exercised on all slopes and inclines
  8. Always apply the parking brake when leaving the buggy
  9. Drive only as fast as the terrain allows
  10. Particular care must be taken driving down the steep 17th fairway
  11. Extreme caution must be taken when crossing the B4009 after the 6th and 13th

INSURANCE & LIABILITY

  1. Personal liability and personal accident insurance are provided by the Club to all paid-up members and green fee paying visitors.
  2. Buggy operators who have hired a buggy from the Club are responsible for the security of the vehicle during the hire period, and the return of keys thereafter.