GUILDFORD GOLF CLUB LIMITED BYELAWS

CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

Members in all categories shall be elected under Article 7, with the exception of Junior Members who may be elected by the Captains’ Committee. 

Lifestyle Members shall be elected under Article 7, unless transferred from the 35 and Under Members category, and when so elected, they are entitled to all rights and privileges of membership of the Club without restriction.

i)          Premier Lifestyle Members

Premier Lifestyle Members, who must have attained the age of 36 years, are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club without restriction.  They may play unlimited rounds of golf on any day of the week during their year of membership.

ii)         Gold Lifestyle Members

Gold Lifestyle Members, who must have attained the age of 36 years, are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club without restriction.  They may play a maximum of 52 rounds of golf on any day of the week during their year of membership.  They may purchase in advance additional rounds of golf at the then current advertised fee for this category.

iii)         Silver Lifestyle Members

Silver Lifestyle Members, who must have attained the age of 36 years, are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club without restriction.  They may play a maximum of 35 rounds of golf on any day of the week during their year of membership.  They may purchase in advance additional rounds of golf at the then current advertised fee for this category.

iv)        Bronze Lifestyle Members

Bronze Lifestyle Members, who must have attained the age of 36 years, are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club without restriction.  They may play a maximum of 20 rounds of golf on any day of the week during their year of membership.  They may purchase in advance additional rounds of golf at the then current advertised fee for this category.

v)         Green Lifestyle Members

Green Lifestyle Members, who must have attained the age of 36 years, are entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club without restriction.  They may play a maximum of 10 rounds of golf on any day of the week during their year of membership.  They may purchase in advance additional rounds of golf at the then current advertised fee for this category.

Members in the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Green categories may upgrade to any higher category at any time during their year of membership on payment of a fee which will be the full difference in annual subscription fee.  Upon renewal of their subscription a Member in one category may only elect to go down one category in any year.

For all Members in the Gold, Silver, Bronze or Green categories:

Booking a tee time will take one round off their entitlement.

A round of golf for these Members will include any game played in a home or away match against other clubs. 

All internal knock-out matches, including any match played with a partner (whether a Four Ball

Better Ball, Foursomes, Greensomes etc) will count as one round. 

An internal 36 hole competition will count as one round. 

A game consisting of 9 or fewer holes, played in the afternoon between certain times through the year, may be classified as half a round only if the player advises the Pro’s shop of his or her intention prior to the commencement of the round.

All 18 hole Open competitions will count as half a round.

Any courtesy or reciprocal round played at another club will count as one round.

Unused rounds in a member’s subscription cannot be carried over .

Any such Member found to be playing on the course without having booked a tee time to play will be deemed to have done so knowingly.  The round will be taken off the Members balance immediately and the Member will be written to by the General Manager / Secretary to confirm the action taken. If the Member is found to be playing the course again at any future point without being on the tee sheet, his or her membership will be immediately terminated and no refund of subscription will be given.

v)         5 Day Members

Existing 5 Day Members at 1 July 2020 were offered the right to retain their 5 day membership on the introduction of the new Lifestyle Membership scheme above.  The board may withdraw this membership category at any time in the future.  The 5 Day Member category is closed to new members.  A 5 Day Member may transfer to the Gold Lifestyle Membership category at any time.

5 Day Members will be entitled to attend and vote at General Meetings of the Club. 

Such Members may not:-

(a)  Play on the course on any Saturday or Sunday, unless playing as a paying guest of a Lifestyle Member

(b)  Compete in any of the Club competitions or matches, other than those held between Mondays and Fridays, unless authorised by the Captains’ Committee.

vi)        Senior Members

Senior Members are those Lifestyle or 5 Day Members who have had continuous membership of the Club for a minimum period of 15 years and they have reached the minimum age of 80 years on their subscription renewal date.  They will be entitled to a senior discount of 10% off the appropriate category rate.

vii)       35 and Under Members

35 and Under Members, who must have attained the age of 18 years, shall be elected under Article 7 unless transferred from Junior Membership and, when so elected, are entitled to all rights and privileges of membership of the Club without restriction.  35 and Under Members will be liable for any levies imposed upon Members.

viii)       Junior Members

(a)   All sons and daughters of Members who have attained the age of 10 years and are under the age of 18 years shall be eligible to become Junior Members, together with other juniors who are admitted at the discretion of the Captains’ Committee.  The age limit may be waived by the Captains’ Committee for any junior under the age of 10 years who shows exceptional merit.

(b)  The terms and conditions upon which juniors may play and enjoy the facilities of the Club shall be decided by the Captains’ Committee.

(c)  Junior Members are not entitled to attend or vote at General Meetings of the Club.

(d)  If new to golf, a Junior Member will be a classified as an Introductory Junior for their first year with no Union Fees due. Once the first year has passed, they will automatically become a Junior and will pay the relevant Union Fee.

(e)  Junior Members and Introductory Junior Members will not be liable to pay any levy imposed on other Members

ix)      Honorary Members

(a)  On the recommendation of the Board and given exceptional contribution and commitment over a lengthy period, Honorary Members may be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club provided such nomination has been included in the notice calling the meeting.

(b)  A nomination may include a Member who has reached the age of 80 by the beginning of the Club’s financial year; has been a continuous Member for at least 50 years; and has made an exceptional contribution and commitment to the Club over a lengthy period.

(c)  Those Members so elected will be entitled to the privilege of being able to play unlimited golf without any further subscription payment. 

(d)  All Honorary Members will remain liable for any levy payments, union fees, locker fees etc

(e)  In addition to those nominated and approved at an Annual General Meeting, for their respective terms of office the Chairman, the director responsible for finance and the two Captains shall enjoy the benefits of Honorary Membership.

x)        Clubhouse Members

(a)  Clubhouse Members, who must have attained the age of 18 years, shall be elected under Article 7.

(b)  Any Member may be transferred to a Clubhouse Member subject to and in accordance with the Byelaws.

(c)  Clubhouse Members shall not be entitled to play on the course unless playing as a guest or visitor in accordance with the Byelaws and subject to the prevailing terms & conditions but they shall be entitled to use the practice facilities such as the practice range and putting green.

(d)  Clubhouse Members are not entitled to attend or to vote at General Meetings of the Club.

(e)  No additional levies will be imposed upon Clubhouse Members.

xi)       Life Members

(a)   By payment of a lump sum to be agreed by the Board, a Member will be entitled in perpetuity to all rights and privileges of the Club without restriction with no future subscription costs.

(b)   Levies and union dues are still payable by Life Members

(c)   This category of membership is neither transferable nor refundable.

2.  ELECTION OF MEMBERS

i)   The election of Members shall be at the discretion of the Board, which shall not be required to give any reasons for its decisions. Membership may be subject to a joining fee as decided by the Board.

ii)   An applicant for election to any Flexible Lifestyle Membership category or Clubhouse Social Membership should be proposed and seconded by two playing Members of the Club, each of whom has been a Member for at least one year. They must have been personally acquainted with the applicant for at least two years and must take responsibility for the applicant’s overall eligibility for membership.

iii)   Applicants who are unable to produce a proposer and seconder from the Club must submit two letters of reference from people who have known them for at least two years.

iv)  The Board may, at its discretion, waive the requirements of 2.ii) and/or 2.iii).

v)   The Board shall require all applicants to attend for interview.

vi)  Any Junior Member who has attained the age of 18 years may, at the discretion of the Board, become a 35 and Under Member and will not be required to pay a joining fee.

vii) A successful applicant will be sent a letter of offer of membership setting out the details of the membership category offered and with the letter will be included a copy of the Articles, Byelaws and the Rules of the Captains’ Committee; such materials may be sent electronically.

3.  TRANSFER BETWEEN MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Any Member requesting a transfer from his existing category to another category shall notify the General Manager/Club Secretary in writing.   If his request is approved, his membership in such other category shall take effect from such date and upon such conditions as shall be specified.

4.   PRESIDENT

The President shall be nominated by the Board and elected at an Annual General Meeting of the Club.  He shall hold office for five years and thereafter be eligible for re-election.

5.   VICE PRESIDENTS

Vice Presidents shall be nominated by the Board and elected at an Annual General Meeting of the Club.  They shall hold office for five years and thereafter be eligible for re-election.  There shall not be more than three Vice Presidents.

6.   SUBSCRIPTIONS AND JOINING FEES

i)  The annual subscriptions, joining fee, bar account and any locker fee for all categories of membership shall be at such rates as the Board shall decide.

ii)  The Membership year for Members of the club who were transferred to the New Lifestyle Membership Scheme shall be 1 July. The Membership year for New Members shall be from the 1st of the month in which they joined if their joining date was in the first half of the month, or the 1st of the following month if their joining date was in the second half of the month.  Such Members shall pay a full year of the annual subscription upon joining at a rate decided by the Board.

iii) For Flexible Lifestyle Premier, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Green, 5 day (reserved rights) and 35 and Under Members subscriptions and the joining fee may be paid in full, or in instalments, subject to a surcharge as decided by the Board but the full amount for the other items shown in Byelaw 6.i) and any applicable levies must be paid in advance. Two consecutive instalments not paid by the due date will result in the balance of the subscription becoming payable immediately and the offer of paying by instalments withdrawn.

iv) All payments shall be made to the General Manager/Club Secretary by cheque or by any other agreed means.

v) No newly elected Member shall use any of the Club facilities before payment of the required entrance fee and subscription. Should such amounts not be paid within one month of advice of election, membership shall be deemed null and void unless the Member can satisfy the Board of sufficient cause for such delay.

vi) At the end of the subscription year any unused part of the annual bar levy referred to in 6 i) will be forfeit for the benefit of the Club and its Members.

7.   INJURY POLICY

The Club’s injury policy applies to Members experiencing long periods of incapacity within a membership year for which their subscription fees have already been paid.  The policy includes those who pay their subscription by monthly direct debit. 

Any Member who experiences an absence from the course for a minimum of six continuous months can apply to the Board in writing for a credit to be applied against their subscription for the following membership year.  It is a requirement that the Member advises the General Manager as soon as the condition arises. The dates of incapacity will be verified using the booking system and the commencement date will be the date of the last game played.   Any credit given will be at the Board’s discretion.  If the injury extends over two subscription years the Board will decide when any credit should be applied.

8.   RESIGNING AND RE-JOINING

i)  A Member may at any time, by giving notice in writing to the General Manager/Club Secretary, resign from the Club, but shall continue to be liable for any subscription due and unpaid for his or her membership year at the date of resignation.

ii)  Resignation during the membership year does not entitle the Member to a subscription refund although the Board may exercise discretion in particular circumstances. If resignation is not received by the 31st March the subscription for the following year becomes due.

iii) In the event of a Member resigning from the Club, any outstanding entrance fee remaining unpaid shall immediately become payable, although the Board shall have the power to waive the whole or part of such balance in special circumstances.

iv)  A person seeking to rejoin the Club may be re-elected at the discretion of the Board on such terms as the Board may decide.  Unless twelve months had elapsed from resigning and rejoining that person would not be able to re-apply to join a lower category of membership.

v) In the event a Member resigns any credit left on the Member’s swipe card will be forfeit unless the Member has paid the whole of the current year’s subscription at the time of resignation.

9.   VISITORS AND GUESTS

i)  Subject to any restrictions which may from time to time be imposed by the Board, the following persons shall be entitled to admission to the Club premises to be supplied with and/or sold alcohol for consumption on the premises and shall for all purposes be treated as the guests of the Club and its Members:

(a)  golfers on payment of the appropriate green fee and Member’s guests;

(b)  those taking table meals at the Club premises;

(c)  those attending any function organised at the Club.

ii)    A playing Member may introduce up to three guests at any one time to the facilities of the Club subject to the payment of the appropriate green fee for each guest who is to use the facilities of the golf course.

iii)   No guest may play more than 10 days in any one calendar year

iv)   No person may be introduced as a guest or visitor who has been expelled from membership or whose previous conduct on the course or the Club premises has been considered by the Board to be objectionable or prejudicial to the interests of the Club.

v)    Guests shall be accompanied by the Member who introduces them and their names shall be entered in the appropriate book (in the green fee book if a guest is to use the facilities of the golf course).

vi)   Members shall ensure that their guests comply with all of the applicable rules of the Club.

vii)  Visitors shall not play in Club competitions or for Club prizes.

viii) Any guest is deemed to be the responsibility of the Member.  The Member must ensure that all guests have been signed in at the Pro Shop prior to play and that the green fee has been paid. If a guest is found to be on the course without the green fee having been paid the Member will be responsible for paying the fee owed for the guest. The Member will be written to subsequently by the General Manager / Secretary who will ask for immediate payment of the green fee. If immediate payment is not received, the Member will be asked to come to the Club to meet and to speak with a Member of the Captain’s Committee.

ix)  If the Member is subsequently seen on the course a further time with guests who have not been signed in and paid for, his or her membership will be immediately terminated and no refund of subscription will be given.

10.   DRESS CODE

All dress should be smart, clean and tidy to represent the most appropriate image of the Club and avoid causing inconvenience or offence to other users.

Guildford Golf Club needs to maintain a high standard of appearance and behaviour from its Members, their guests and visitors alike that presents an image appropriate to a ‘members golf club'.

A full Dress Code for the Clubhouse and course will be published from time to time on the Club website and on the Club noticeboard.

11.  USE OF TROLLEYS AND BUGGIES ON THE COURSE

Golf buggies, trolleys, hand-pulled or electric, are permitted on the course but may be subject to a ban depending upon the state of the course and prevailing weather conditions.  Any temporary suspension in the use of buggies or trolleys, resulting in golf bags having to be carried, will be posted on the Club’s website as a change to the status of the course.  Where possible, trolleys and approved buggies should use the designated pathways.

12.  GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

i)  Members shall submit to and be bound by the Club’s Articles and Byelaws and the Rules of the Captains’ Committee. Any question of the interpretation of the above documents will be determined by the Board, whose decision will be final. Members breaching any of the above will be dealt with under the Rules of the Captains’ Committee.

ii)  Members shall communicate their latest address to the General Manager/Club Secretary and all notices or letters sent to such address shall be deemed to have been delivered.

iii)  Any complaint by a Member shall be made to the General Manager/Club Secretary orally or in writing. Should the General Manager/Club Secretary be unable to deal with the matter, or if the Member so requests, the matter shall be submitted by the General Manager/Club Secretary to the Board, whose decision shall be final.

iv)  In no instance shall a Member reprimand an employee of the Club or its contractors.

v)   Members must be dressed respectably in the Clubhouse and on the course at all times and shall abide by Byelaw 10 relating to Dress Code.

vi)   No Member shall, except for professional services rendered at the request of the Board, on any pretence or in any manner receive any profit, salary or emoluments from the funds or transaction of the Club.

vii)  No Member shall give the address of the Club in any advertisement or use the Club address for business purposes.

viii)  Members shall pay every expense they incur in the Clubhouse or upon the Club premises on demand.

13. USE OF MOBILE PHONES

In and around the Clubhouse

To make a mobile call a person must use a designated area – namely a foyer, the changing rooms or the car parks. Incoming calls can only be received with the phone on a silent or vibration setting and to talk to the caller the person must then use one of the designated areas and speak in a manner that does not disturb other Members.

On the course

The use of mobile phones is prohibited on the course except for GPS positioning purposes, in a medical emergency or where specifically authorised by the General Manager (for example in the case of emergency service workers who are on call). In authorised cases the mobile phone is to be placed on silent or vibration mode to receive calls and those making calls should do so in a way that does not inconvenience other players.

14. EVACUATION & VISIBILITY PROCEDURES FOR THE CLUBHOUSE AND GOLF COURSE

Clubhouse

In the event of the Club fire alarm sounding, staff, Members and visitors should leave the premises by the nearest emergency exit and, if possible, congregate in the visitors’ car park

Course

In the event of lightning on the course, Members and visitors should apply the "30/30 rule" – if the time from the "flash to the bang" is 30 seconds or less then they should seek shelter, and remain within the shelter until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. The best shelters are large buildings or cars. In the absence of any such shelters, players should put down their clubs, and if possible move away from any water or tall isolated trees and crouch down in a bunker until the storm has passed.

In the event of fog or other impairment of general visibility, Members and visitors should apply a judgement on the dangers to themselves and others of playing a given shot and, if in any doubt whatsoever, they should cease play until conditions improve.

15. SUGGESTIONS BOOK

A Suggestions Book shall be available for the use of all Members or they may submit their suggestions to the General Manager/Club Secretary in writing by way of a hard copy or by email. Any suggestions so put forward shall be produced for inspection by the Board at each Board meeting and the Board’s response shall be recorded in the Suggestions Book and advised to the Member who submitted the suggestion.

16.  CLUBHOUSE PREMISES AND COURSE

i)  No person shall take away, or permit to be taken away from the Club premises under any pretext whatever, or damage or destroy any newspaper, pamphlet, book or other article, which is the property of the Club.

ii)  No paper, notice or placard, written or printed, shall be put up in the Clubhouse or on the course without the sanction of the General Manager/Club Secretary. A notice posted by the General Manager/Club Secretary may not be altered, defaced or removed.

iii)  Dogs may be admitted to the 19th Bar in the Clubhouse if under close control. Those taking dogs with them when playing on the course must keep them under proper control and avoid any inconvenience to other players, damage to the course or harrying other animals.

iv)  The Clubhouse shall not be used for any unlawful purpose.

v)   An alphabetical list of Members shall be displayed on the Club’s website in addition to being displayed on the Intelligent Golf (“IG”) app.

17. MEMBERS OF GOLFING SOCIETIES, GOLF CLUBS OR OTHER GROUPS

The Board shall have authority to:

i)   Grant recognised golfing societies, golf clubs or other groups the use of the course and Clubhouse on such terms as the Board may decide, including financial terms for the use of the course by way of aggregate payment in lieu of individual green fees.

ii)  Grant visiting teams engaged in matches, either with the Club or with any society, golf club or group which may have been granted the facilities under paragraph 16.i) above, the use of the course and Clubhouse on the occasions of such matches with or without the payment of green fees.

The Board may at any time refuse such arrangements without giving any reason.