Address: 
10 Balcarres Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7SD, East Lothian, Scotland

Club Constitution

Proposed Constitution, Byelaws and Rules for the MOCGC – 

Constitution

 

C.1                  THE NAME OF THE CLUB

C.1.1            The Club shall be called “The Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club” hereafter referred to as “The Club”.

C.2                  THE PURPOSES OF THE CLUB

C.2.1            The purposes of the Club are to provide facilities for the game of golf to be played in accordance with the Rules of Golf as they may be, from time to time, approved by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) and to provide such social facilities and activities as its Membership may require.

C.2.2            The Membership of the Club shall be subject to the Clubs Constitution, Byelaws and Rules as may be, from time to time, made by a Management Committee and General Meetings of Members of the Club.

C.3                  THE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CLUB

C.3.1             The Management Committee

C.3.1.1          The Club shall have a Management Committee comprising a Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer who shall be Principal Office bearers of the Club and a minimum of 4 Ordinary Members drawn from the Men, Senior Men, Ladies and Senior Lady Membership Categories. The Captain of the Club and Vice-Captain of the Club shall be members, ex officio, and they also shall be Principal Office bearers of the Club.

C.3.1.2          The Management Committee shall have the management of the whole affairs of the Club, including the right of resolving disputes arising out of any activities of the Club, its committees or Sub-Committees and Club Members.

C.3.1.3          The Management Committee shall be elected according to a process contained in the Byelaws of the Club.

C.3.1.4          At its first meeting after an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Club the Management Committee shall, from its own numbers, appoint its Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer who shall thereafter be known respectively as the Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of the Club. The posts of Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer may not be held by any one person at any one time.

C.3.1.5          The following Officers of the Club shall be members, ex officio, of the Management Committee if not already elected as Ordinary Members or appointed Principal Office bearers of the Committee; The Captain of the Ladies Section; The Competition’s Secretary; The Convenor of the Competition’s Committee; The Convenor of the Junior section.

C.3.1.6          The East Lothian Council shall be invited to nominate one of its Members to attend meetings of the Management Committee. Such an attendee shall have the right to speak but not to vote at such meetings and shall not be included in any account to establish a quorum.

C.3.1.7          Five members of the Management Committee shall form a quorum and may transact business at meetings where all members of the Committee have been notified to attend.

C.3.1.8          The Chairman shall preside at meetings of the Management Committee. In the absence of the Chairman, a meeting shall appoint a Chairman for that time. The Chairman of a meeting shall have both a deliberate and a casting vote in the case of parity.

C.3.1.9          The Management Committee shall have the power to create Sub-Committees and Working Groups from its own membership for any appropriate purpose. Such Sub-Committees and Working Groups may co-opt to their membership any other person who, in their opinion, may assist them in their work.

C.3.1.10        The Management Committee shall have the power to co-opt other Members of the Club to fill vacancies or for special purposes as it may determine from time to time. Such co-opted Members shall have the same rights as elected Members and their term of office shall be governed by the Byelaws of the Club.

C.3.1.11        The Management Committee shall have the power to create other standing Committees or standing Sub-Committees of the Club and other office bearing posts that it may, from time to time, think appropriate to the running of the Club.

C.3.1.12        The Management Committee shall meet regularly with a minimum of 6 meetings per year.

C.3.2           The House/Social Sub-Committee

C.3.2.1          The Club shall have a House/Social Sub-Committee whose membership shall be drawn from the Management Committee. The Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer shall be members, ex officio, of the Sub-Committee. At its first meeting after an AGM the Sub-Committee shall appoint, from their own number, a House/Social Convenor who shall be responsible for its business and activities.

C.3.2.2          The Management Committee shall delegate responsibility to the Sub-Committee for any matter it considers appropriate concerning the fabric and maintenance, services and staffing of the Clubhouse and matters concerning the raising of funds through social activities.

C.3.2.3          The Sub-Committee may co-opt to their membership any other persons who may assist them in their work.

C.3.3              The Competition’s Committee

C.3.3.1          The Club shall have a Competition’s’ Committee comprising a Convenor, Match Secretary and Handicap secretary, a Junior Section Convenor (who may be either a man or woman) who shall be Principle Office bearers of the Competition’s Committee, and a minimum of 4 and no more than 8 Ordinary Members drawn from the Men’s or Senior Men’s membership categories. The Captain and Vice-Captain of the Club shall both be members, ex officio, of the Competition’s Committee.

C.3.3.2          The Competition’s Committee shall be elected according to a process described in the Byelaws of the Club.

C.3.3.3          The Management Committee shall delegate responsibility to the Competition’s Committee for organisation of competitions, matches, handicaps and any other golf matters it considers appropriate.

C.3.3.4          At the first meeting after the AGM, the Competition’s Committee shall appoint a Convenor, Match Secretary, Handicap Secretary and nominate a Junior Section Convenor. The Junior Section Convenor may not be appointed until the Management Committee is satisfied as to his or her suitability to work with young people and completed any mandatory training and is in receipt of relevant PVG/child protection requirements .

C.3.3.6          The Competition’s Convenor shall be responsible for the Competition’s Committee business and activities and chair its meetings. In the absence of the Convenor a meeting shall appoint a Chairman for that time.

C.3.3.7          The Competition’s Committee may invite the Head Greenkeeper of the Musselburgh Links to attend its meetings. If attending the Head Greenkeeper shall have the right to speak but not to vote and shall not be included in any count to establish a quorum.

C.3.3.8          Five members of the Competition’s Committee shall form a quorum and may transact business where all members of the Committee have been notified to attend.

C.3.3.9          The Competition’s Committee shall have the power to create Sub-Committees or Working Groups, from its own number, for any appropriate purpose. Such Sub-Committees or Working Groups may co-opt to their membership any other persons who may assist them in their work.

C.3.3.10        The Competition’s Committee shall have the power to co-opt other members of the Club to fill vacancies. Such co-opted members shall have the same rights as elected members and their term of office shall be governed by the Byelaws of the Club.

C.4                  OFFICE BEARERS OF THE CLUB

C.4.1              Selection of the Captain of the Club

C.4.1.1          Candidates for Vice Captain can come from the current management committee, however, if this proves difficult then the committee can nominate a member or members to be approached about the Vice Captain’s position. If one or more of these members is interested, the committee will discuss the candidates and reach a decision on who to ask to become the Vice Captain.

C.4.1.2          The Office of Vice-Captain of the Club shall be filled from the Men’s, Senior Men’s, Ladies or Senior Ladies membership categories.

C.4.1.4          The Vice-Captain of the Club shall serve for a period of not normally more than two years and thereafter demit office and become Captain of the Club.

C.4.2              The Chairman of the Club

C.4.2.1          The Chairman shall oversee the business of the Club, its Committees and General Meetings are completed correctly and in accordance with their instructions. The Chairman will be Guardian of the Constitution, Byelaws and Rules of the Club, ensuring that they are adhered to.

C.4.3              The Honorary Secretary of the Club

C.4.3.1          The Honorary Secretary shall oversee the secretarial work of the Club and will keep records of the proceedings, attend to correspondence and perform any other secretarial duties that the Management Committee may require.

C.4.4              The Honorary Treasurer of the Club

C.4.4.1          The Honorary Treasurer shall oversee the responsibility of the Management Committee for all the financial transactions of the Club. He or she will keep proper records and will report the financial position of the Club to each meeting of the Committee and other meetings of members as required by the Committee.

C.4.4.2          The Honorary Treasurer will pay monies received into an account in the name of the Club with a Bank or similar institution. The Treasurer will prepare an Annual Financial Statement for issue to the Membership of the Club at its Annual General Meeting.

C.4.4.3          The Honorary Treasurer shall be informed of any additional funds raised by sections of Members of the Club. Such monies shall be for the exclusive use of the sections that raise them.

C.4.5              The Trustees of the Club

C.4.5.1          The Management Committee shall have the power to buy or sell or take on lease heritable property as required by the Club. It shall also have the power to borrow money and grant mortgages and suitable securities in connection with the same.

C.4.5.2          The title to such heritable property will be taken in the name of the Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of the Club for the time being who will hold the said title or borrow the said money or grant the said securities as Trustees for the behoof of the Club.

C.4.6              An Auditor

C.4.6.1          The Members of the Club at an AGM shall appoint a financial auditor each year. In the case of a vacancy arising during any financial year an Auditor for the Club shall be appointed by the Management Committee. The Auditor may be invited to be in attendance at meetings of the Committee and both Annual and Special General Meetings of the Membership. The Auditor shall have speaking rights only.

C.5                  The FINANCIAL YEAR and ACCOUNTS

C.5.1            The financial year of the Club shall commence on the 1st of January in each calendar year. Correct accounts and books of record shall be kept showing the financial affairs and dealings of the Club covering the year ending on the 31st of December immediately thereto. An abstract of audited accounts, duly approved by the Management Committee, shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting each year.

C.6                  THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLUB

C.6.1            The membership of the Club shall consist of the following categories: Men’s, Senior Men’s, Ladies, Senior Ladies, Junior, Country, International, Honorary and Temporary. Members in each category shall be limited to such numbers as may, from time to time, be determined by the Management Committee. If the Committee seeks to determine, or temporary limit, the number in any category, information of the number so determined shall be given each year in a notice calling the AGM.

C.6.2            Definitions of the categories of membership shall form part of the Byelaws of the Club.

C.6.3            The Management Committee shall have the power to create other categories as it may, from time to time, think fit.

C.7                  GENERAL MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLUB

C.7.1            The Chairman of the Club shall preside at all General Meetings of the Membership of the Club. If the Chairman is absent, the Management Committee shall appoint one of its members to chair the General Meeting.

C.7.2            General Meetings of the Membership of the Club shall be called by notice from the Honorary Secretary, sent by post or email, to all Members at least 21 days prior to the date of such General Meeting.

C.7.3            10% of members, excluding Junior, Overseas and Temporary category members, shall form a quorum at a General Meeting and may transact business at that General Meeting.

C.7.4            Only business specified in the Notice to Members from the Honorary Secretary may be transacted at that General Meeting.

C.7.5              The Annual General Meeting

C.7.5.1          The Membership of the Club shall meet each year in an Annual General Meeting, which shall be held on the first suitable Friday in February. The AGM shall receive reports from the Management Committee on the affairs of the Club. It shall be asked to approve the Annual Financial Statement of the Honorary Treasurer and an abstract of audited accounts as prepared by the Auditor and approved by the Management Committee. The AGM may also be asked to transact such other business as the Committee puts before it.

C.7.5.2          At the AGM 10% of the Adult Membership shall form a quorum and may transact business at the meeting

C.7.6              Special General Meetings

C.7.6.1          The Management Committee shall have the power to convene a Special General meeting of the Membership of the Club when it considers it necessary to discuss urgent or important business.

C.7.6.2          The Management Committee shall be bound to convene a Special General Meeting of the Membership on receiving a Requisition signed by no fewer than 24 adult members of the Club. The Business for discussion by such a Special General Meeting must be stated in the requisition from members. The Committee may add to that business its own items for consideration and decision by such a requisitioned Special General Meeting.

C.8                  BYELAWS & RULES OF THE CLUB

C.8.1            For the regulation of the internal affairs of the Club and the day to day use of the Clubhouse the Management Committee may, from time to time, make, vary and revoke Byelaws not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Club.

C.8.2            For the regulation of the conduct of all the Members of the Club the Management Committee may from time to time make, vary and revoke Rules not inconsistent with the Constitution and Byelaws of the Club.

C.9                  ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION, BYELAWS & RULES

C.9.1            The Constitution of the Club may only be revoked, altered or added to by a motion agreed by a majority of ¾ of all Members present and voting at a General Meeting of the Membership of the Club. Notice of any motion causing revocation, alteration or addition to the Constitution must be lodged with the Secretary, in writing, 28 days before the date of an AGM or Special General Meeting requisitioned for that purpose.

C.9.2            If the subject of a Requisition from Members, to be decided by a General Meeting, involves any revocation, alteration or addition to the Constitution, Byelaws or Rules of the Club the signatories shall be required to provide the precise wording of such changes.

C.9.3            Except in the case of a motion to wind up the Club a motion to revoke, alter or add to the Constitution shall not be considered if it is deemed by the Management Committee to be inconsistent with the purposes of the Club, the Laws of Scotland or other statutory requirements.

C.9.4            The Byelaws of the Club may be revoked, altered or added to by a decision of the Management Committee or by a motion, agreed by a ¾ majority of all Members present and voting at a General Meeting of the Membership of the Club. Notice of any motion causing revocation, alteration or addition to the Byelaws must be lodged with the secretary 28 days before the date of such meeting.

C.9.5            No motion to revoke, alter or add to the Byelaws shall be considered if it is deemed by the Management Committee to be inconsistent with the defined purpose or Constitution of the Club, the Laws of Scotland or other regulatory body.

C.9.6            The Rules of the Club may be revoked, altered or added to by a decision of the Management Committee or by a motion, agreed by a ¾ majority of all members present and voting at a General Meeting of the Membership of the Club, providing such variation is not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Club, the Laws of Scotland or other statutory requirements.

C.9.7            Whenever the Constitution, Byelaws or Rules of the Club are altered the Honorary Secretary shall post a notice in a conspicuous place in the Clubhouse detailing such changes.

C.10               THE WINDING UP OF THE CLUB

C.10.1           If upon a decision to wind up the Club, there remains after satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, that property shall be paid to, or transferred to, some other institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Club, and which shall prohibit the distribution of its income and property among its or their members.

C.10.2           Such institutions may be determined by the Members of the Club at or before the time of dissolution and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provision then to some charitable object.

C.10.3           A majority of 7/8th of Members present and voting at a General Meeting shall be required to wind-up the Club.

 

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION, BYELAWS & RULES FOR THE MOCGC – BYELAWS

B.1                  THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE & THE COMPETION’S COMMITTEE

B.1.1            With the exception of the Captain and Vice-Captain of the Club the memberships of the Management Committee and Competition’s Committee shall be elected for period of two years. Thereafter, Members may stand for re-election annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Members. A co-opted member of any Club Committee may serve up to the AGM succeeding his or her co-option.

B.1.2            Any Member of the Club eligible and wishing to stand for election, or re-election, to the Management or Competition’s Committee must intimate their intention to do so in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM. Members may indicate any office-bearing post they intend to seek to occupy, if successfully elected, when the Committees select their Principal Office bearers. Any Member eligible to stand for election may serve on both the Management Committee and Competition’s Committee at the same time.

B.1.3            All candidates for election must be Members of the Club of not less than 1 year and shall require to be proposed by one Member and seconded by another Member who shall also have been Members of not less than 1 year. Members from the Junior, Overseas and Temporary categories shall not have the right to propose or second candidates for election to the Management or Competition’s Committee.

B.1.4            In the event of there being fewer nominations being received by the Honorary Secretary than vacancies existing on any Committee those candidates properly proposed and seconded shall be deemed to be elected. The remaining vacancies may be filled by nominations from the floor of the AGM provided the nominees have been members of the Club for not less than 2 years and have qualities to be of benefit to the running of the Club. Such candidates shall require to be proposed by one Member and seconded by another, who shall both have been Members of not less than 2 years.

B.1.5            If there are more nominations than vacancies for election to the Management Committee or Competition’s Committee there may be a ballot of the Members present at the AGM to determine who will be elected.

B.2                  THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLUB

B.2.1              Admission to Membership of the Club

B.2.1.1          Candidates for admission as Members to any category of Membership, except Junior category, must be proposed by one Member and seconded by another. All Members proposing and seconding candidates for Membership are required to have sufficient personal knowledge of the candidate to be able to confirm to the Management Committee their suitability for Membership. Such proposal of a person for Membership should be made on the appropriate, Club Membership Form. Junior Category members may not propose or second candidates for Membership.

B.2.1.2          The details of candidates seeking Membership shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the Club premises from a date no less than 10 days before their election. The Management Committee shall elect candidates by a simple majority of those present and voting. Priority may be given to those resident in the Town and District of Musselburgh.

B.2.1.3          The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse election to membership any person it thinks unfit to be a Member of the Club. The Committee shall not be required to give reasons for its decision.

B.2.1.4          Any candidate who has been elected shall not become a Member until he or she has paid the Joining Fee and the defined subscription fee. Failing payment within 14 days after written request by the Honorary Secretary or Honorary Treasurer his or her election shall be cancelled but he or she may be reinstated at the discretion of the Management Committee on payment of the due sum.

B.2.1.5          As soon as elected to Membership, the Clubs’ Constitution, Byelaws and Rules shall bind a new member.

B.2.1.6          The Management Committee shall have the power to refuse the transfer from one category of Membership to another of any Member. The Committee shall be required to give its reasons to any such Member and that Member shall have the right of appeal, in person, to the Committee.

B.2.1.7          The Management Committee shall have the power to create a list of names of individuals awaiting election as Members of the Club and to elect such people to Membership, as they think fit.

B.2.3.1          Men Members and Section

B.2.3.1.1       Men members of the club shall be those men who are between the ages of 22 and 64 years before the 1st April for any year. They shall constitute their own section within the Club. Men Members are entitled to attend General Meetings of the Club and to speak and vote. They shall be eligible for election to the Management Committee and the Competition’s Committee, and to be considered to become Vice-Captain of the Club.

B.2.3.2          Intermediate Members and Section

B.2.3.2.1       Intermediate members of the club shall be those young men who are between the ages of 18 and 21 years of age at the time of paying their subscription for any year. Intermediate Members are entitled to attend General Meetings of the Club and to speak and vote. They shall be eligible for election to the Management Committee and the Competition’s Committee, and to be considered to become Vice-Captain of the Club.

B.2.3.3          Senior Men Members and Section

B.2.3.3.1       Senior Men members of the club shall be those men who are 65 years of age before the 1st April for any year. They shall constitute their own section within the Club. Senior Men Members are entitled to attend General Meetings of the Club and to speak and vote. They shall be eligible for election to the Management Committee and the Competition’s Committee, and to be considered to become Vice-Captain of the Club.

B.2.4              Lady, Senior Lady Members and Section

B.2.4.1          The Club shall admit Lady Members, who shall constitute their own section within the Club. Lady Members shall be entitled to vote at General Meetings of the Club. They shall be eligible for election to the Management Committee and to be considered to become Vice-Captain of the Club. The Lady Members shall appoint a Ladies Captain, Vice-Captain, Honorary Secretary and an Honorary Treasurer and any other officials and arrangements as they deem necessary for the administration of the Ladies Section.

B.2.5              Junior Members & Section

B.2.5.1          The Management Committee shall have the power to admit as Junior Members persons under the age of 18 years at the time of their paying their subscription for any year. The Committee shall determine the number of Junior Members. They shall constitute their own Section within the Club. Junior Members may attend General Meetings of the Club but may not speak or vote and shall have no part in the running of the Club.

B.2.5.2          An appropriate procedure for admitting young people to Junior Membership shall be determined by the Management Committee, who, along with the Junior Section Convenor, shall have the power to elect or refuse admission without assigning a reason.

B.2.5.3          The Junior Section shall operate under the supervision of a Convenor who shall be nominated by the Competition’s Committee from its Membership and then appointed by the Management Committee of the Club. The Convenor shall make such administrative arrangements as he or she thinks fit to carry out the activities of the Section. The Convenor shall have the power, after consultation with the Captain of the Club, to appoint from its membership a Captain of the Junior section.

B.2.5.4          Junior Membership shall cease automatically immediately before the beginning of the AGM succeeding the date of the Junior Members’ eighteenth birthday.

B.2.5.5          Junior Members shall be subject to the Constitution, Byelaws and Rules so far as they apply to them.

B.2.6              Honorary Members

B.2.6.1          On the recommendation of the Management Committee to an AGM, persons who have given outstanding, special or meritorious service to the Club, or to the game of golf, may be elected as Honorary Members. A simple majority of those present and voting at an AGM shall be necessary to secure election. There shall be no more than 10 Honorary Members at any one time. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay any Joining Fee or any Defined Subscription during their membership of the Club. Honorary Members may attend, speak and vote at General Meetings of the membership. Honorary Members shall be placed in a Section of the Club appropriate to their age and gender. 

B.2.7              Country Members

B.2.7.1          Any person resident out-with a radius of 100 miles of the Club may on application to the Honorary Secretary and, if approved by the Management Committee, be admitted as a Country Member. They shall have the right to attend and speak at General Meetings of the membership, but they shall have no voting rights and will take no part in the management of the Club. Country Members shall be placed in a Section of the Club appropriate to their age and gender.

B.2.7.2            A country member will be entitled to play a maximum of 4 x annual medals – plus any Annual Charity Events.

                     A country member will NOT be able to participate in the Annual Club Championship or any events where a trophy is involved.

                     A country member will be required to pay all costs attached to own personal green fees.

                     The annual fee for a country member should be set at 50% of the standard annual membership of a full adult member.

B.2.8              International Members

B.2.8.1          Any person whose permanent residence is out-with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland may on application to the Honorary Secretary, and, if approved by the Management Committee, be admitted as an International Member. They shall have the right to attend and speak at General Meetings of the membership, but they shall have no voting rights and will take no part in the management of the Club. Overseas Members shall be placed in a Section of the Club appropriate to their age and gender.

                     An International Member will be required to pay all costs attached to own personal green fees. 

B.2.9              Temporary Members

B.2.9.1          The Management Committee may admit for one day as Temporary Members persons taking part in an authorised competition or match over the Musselburgh Links. The Committee may also admit Men, Women and Juniors, suitably introduced, who are Members of recognised Golf Clubs, whose use of the Clubhouse shall be conditional on playing over the Musselburgh Links that same day. Temporary Members shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine and may not attend General Meetings of the Membership.

B.2.10            Visitors to The Club

B.2.10.1        A Member may introduce only 3 guests to the Clubhouse in any one day. A member of the Management Committee may grant permission to vary this rule in special circumstances.

B.2.11          Associate Members

                      Associate members shall be persons over the age of 18 years at the time of paying their subscription for any year. The Committee shall determine the number of Associate Members. They shall NOT constitute their own section within the club.

                   The cost of an Associate membership is currently £10 and you must be proposed by an current full member of the club.

An Associate Member of MOCGC shall be entitled to use the facilities of the clubhouse and attend the golf clubs social events. Associate Members may attend the General Meetings of the club but may not speak or vote and shall have no part in the running of the club. An Associate Member shall not be eligible for election to the Management Committee. As soon as elected to Associate Membership the clubs Constitution, Byelaws and Rules shall bind a new member. 

B.3                  THE JOINING FEE, DEFINED SUBSCRIPTION & OTHER PAYMENTS BY MEMBERS

B.3.1            The Management Committee shall set a Joining Fee to be paid by all candidates upon successful election to all categories of Membership except Junior and Honorary.

B.3.2            The Management Committee shall set the Defined Subscription for all the grades of Membership. The Subscription years shall commence from the day of the AGM. Subscriptions will become payable from the date of renewal notification and shall be paid before the AGM in each year.

Where members wish to spread their membership payment over an extended period, they can pay their membership fees in 5 monthly instalments by standing order. The 1st payment must be paid before the AGM and the 5th and final payment before the 1st July and if wishing to play in the Club Championships, before the booking sheet goes up for the first round of this competition. Any missed payments will result in the member not being allowed to play in club competitions until the missed payment has been paid.

B.3.3            The Management Committee shall have the power to grant a sabbatical from payment of the Defined Subscription for any member who has given written notice of changes in personal circumstances. All such sabbaticals shall be subject to a yearly review by the Committee who may extend or withdraw them, as they think fit.

B.3.4            During any sabbatical such a Member shall continue to have the privilege of use of the Clubhouse facilities as a Visitor but not entitled to play in competitions, attend General Meetings of the Club and shall take no part in the running of the Club. On again paying the Defined Subscription a member will return to the full rights for their category.

B.3.5            Members who have not paid at least 50% of their subscription before the day of the AGM shall not be entitled to attend the AGM. The names of Members who are in arrears shall be posted in the Clubhouse and intimation given to them by the Honorary Secretary that unless their subscriptions are paid, on or before the expiry of 28 days from the posting of such notice, they shall cease to be Members of the Club.

B.3.6            The Management Committee may grant re-admission to membership of any such lapsed Member, on such terms as it sees fit, after receiving a letter from the Member concerned giving reasons for non-payment, satisfactory to the Honorary Secretary, and enclosing payment of the full subscription and any arrears outstanding.

B.3.7            The Management Committee shall have the power to propose that any or all categories of membership be required to pay levies or special payments to the Club. Such proposals shall require to be agreed by an AGM or Special General Meeting called for that purpose.

                     As per section B.3.7 a bar levy of £50 will be introduced from season 2023/24 to encourage members into the clubhouse.

B.4                  MISCONDUCT

B.4.1            The Management Committee shall have the power to deal with any member whose conduct in the Clubhouse; in the immediate area of the Clubhouse or out of the Clubhouse where a Member is deemed to be representing the Club or associated with its activities, is, in its opinion injurious to the character or good order of the Club, or the interests of its Members.

B.4.2            Any Member of the Committee shall have the power to exclude from the Club premises any person whose conduct they, in their sole discretion, consider objectionable, until the next meeting of the Committee, when said person shall be dealt with in terms of Byelaw 4: Misconduct.

B.4.3            In dealing with any such Member the Management Committee may terminate his or her Membership or suspend his or her Membership for such period of time as they think fit or give him or her a reprimand or warning. The Committee may delegate this power to the Junior Section Convenor as far as it relates to Junior Members.

B.4.4              The following procedures will be adopted in dealing with a Member under Byelaw 4: Misconduct

B.4.4.1          The Member will be given 7 days’ notice in writing of the Management Committee meeting at which the matter of his or her alleged misconduct will be considered; that communication will also contain written specification of the alleged misconduct; the Member concerned will be given the opportunity of making a statement to the Committee at the meeting considering the alleged misconduct.

B.4.4.2          The Management Committee will render a decision after due consideration of all of the relevant circumstances. Such decision will be conveyed to the Member concerned in writing.

B.4.4.3          Any decision of the Management Committee to suspend or terminate Membership under Byelaw 4 MISCONDUCT shall be final and conclusive and the Management Committee shall not be required to give any reason for such decision.

B.4.4.4          If any Member of the Management Committee or Competition’s Committee is suspended from Membership under Byelaw 4 MISCONDUCT, he or she will vacate his or her seat on that committee during the period of his or her suspension. The Management Committee will review at the end of such a period of suspension the suitability for return to membership of a Club Committee, of a Committee Member suspended under Byelaw 4 MISCONDUCT.

B.5                  REMOVAL OF A COMMITTEE MEMBER

B.5.1            A member of a Club Committee may be removed from office under the process for convening a Special General Meeting of the members for that purpose. Such a motion shall require a majority of 2/3rd of all Members present and voting at such a meeting.

B.5.2            Any Member of a committee who’s attendance at meetings has fallen below fifty percent of meetings called during the preceding year may forfeit his or her right to Membership of the Committee concerned.

B.5.3            A Notice of Dismissal of a member from a committee post shall be issued to any such Member by the Honorary Secretary on the instructions of the Management Committee or after a successful motion passed by a Special General Meeting of members of the Club called to remove a Member from any committee. Such a Member will then be deemed dismissed and will have no further part in that Committee’s business.

B.6                  HONORARIA, EX GRATIA & SPECIAL PAYMENTS

B.6.1            An honorarium or ex gratia payment may be paid to the Honorary Secretary and to the Honorary Treasurer in recognition of their services to the Club. Special payments may also be made to staff. The level of any such payments shall be determined by the Management Committee having taken recommendations from a Sub-Committee convened for that purpose and thereafter approved by an Annual or Special General Meeting.

B.7                  OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

B.7.1            Members of Club committees may claim reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the furtherance of their duties on behalf of the Club.

B.7.2            Such claims must be accompanied by an itemised statement of expense incurred and receipts where practicable. The Management Committee may approve payment of such expenses and the Honorary Treasurer will include a report on such payments in his Annual Financial Statement to the AGM.

B.8                  STAFF

B.8.1            The Management Committee shall have the power to appoint staff as necessary for the functioning and activities of the Club.

B.9                  LICENSING RESTRICTIONS

B.9.1            The Management Committee shall control the supply of alcohol liquor to its Members and Visitors. The supply shall be regulated by the Constitution, Byelaws and Rules of the Club in accordance with the provisions of the current Licensing (Scotland) Act from time to time in force.

B.9.2            No alcoholic liquor shall be sold or supplied in the Club premises for consumption off premises except to a Member of the Club in person, for consumption by that Member.

B.9.3            No Member of the Club Committee, Manager or Employee of the Club shall have a personal interest in the sale of alcoholic liquor therein or in the profits arising from such sale.

B.9.4            Visitors shall not be supplied with alcoholic liquor in the Club premises unless on invitation of and accompanied by a Member, and the Member shall upon admission of such Visitor to the Club premises immediately enter his own name and the name and address of the Visitor in the Visitors Book which shall be kept in the Clubhouse for this purpose and which book shall show the date of such visit.

 

 

 

 

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION, BYELAWS & RULES FOR THE MOCGC – RULES

            GENERAL

RG.1   No person shall be admitted to the Clubhouse except the Members of the Club. Club staff engaged in their duties, Tradesmen providing a service to the Club and such persons as may be admitted in terms of the Constitution and Byelaws.

RG.2   Any complaint about any Member of Staff of the Club shall be made to the Honorary Secretary in writing. The conduct of any staff member shall not be made a matter of personal reprimand by the complainant.

RG.3   The Club shall not be responsible for any articles belonging to Members or their Guests and no Member or Guest shall have the right of action against the Club in respect of loss or damage of any such nature. All Members are encouraged to take adequate personal insurance against such loss.

RG.4   Any member intending not to renew membership must inform the Honorary Secretary of his or her resignation from the Club.

            COURSE

RC.1   Every Member shall be allowed the use of the course in accordance with the Constitution, Byelaws and Rules of the Club.  Members must observe the rules and etiquette of the game of golf, display a current membership disk, and observe the instructions of the Local Authority Staff and members of the Competition’s Committee on competition days.

RC.2   Any Member using the practise area must play within the area stipulated for that purpose. The practise areas are defined as that area of ground on the course indicated from time to time by the Local Authority as being the practise area under the rules of golf.

RC.3   No Club Member, or guest introduced by a Club Member, may use the course without golf clubs exclusively for his or her own use.

RC.4   In all other respects Members must obey the day-to-day regulations posted on the Noticeboards of the Club, Starter’s Box or Course regarding the use of the course or restrictions on its use.

            HOUSE

RH.1   All Members are admitted to the Clubhouse in furtherance of Membership of the Club.

RH.2   The appropriate facilities within the Clubhouse are available for use by all Members.

RH.3   The House Sub-Committee shall determine the hours of opening of the Clubhouse.

RH.4   Bar facilities shall be used in accordance with the Licensing Laws.

RH.5   No Junior Member under the age of 18 years shall purchase or consume alcoholic liquor on the premises nor play the gaming machines.

RH.6   Lockers will be allocated for Members’ use as appropriate, on payment of an annual fee set by the Management Committee. Members must maintain their lockers in good condition and keep the Locker Room as clean and tidy as possible.

RH.6.1 No exchange of locker keys may take place without the permission of the Honorary Secretary. The Honorary Secretary shall maintain a list of locker holders, and a waiting list if necessary.

RH.6.2 Any Man or Senior Man who fails to pay his locker fee will be instructed to vacate it within a period of time determined by the Management Committee. After that time the Committee shall have the right to gain entry to such a locker and empty it. Any contents found inside may be disposed of by the Committee after a period of 28 days if they remain unclaimed.

RH.7   No golf clubs or other golf equipment will be brought into the Clubhouse other than into the Locker Room or Changing Room.

RH.8   No credit will be allowed to Members for purchases in the Clubhouse.

RH.9   All Visitors must sign the Visitors’ Book which must be countersigned by the introducing Member.

RH.10  Temporary Members paying the appropriate fee will be allowed to use the Clubhouse but must complete and sign the Visitors’ Book.

RH.11  Members are not allowed in the area behind the Bar. Members of the Management Committee, with the permission of the Steward, are permitted in the area behind the bar.

RH.12  Members must obey day-to-day regulations posted on the Club Noticeboards regarding use of the Clubhouse.

RH.14  Members must use the car parking area when spaces are available. Members should park in an orderly manner to allow maximum use of the area available.

RH.15  Any Member or Guest failing to abide by the published Dress Code within the Clubhouse will be required to leave immediately on the instruction of the Steward or any member of the Management Committee.

            COMPETITIONS & HANDICAPS

CH.1   The Competition’s Committee arranges competitions and handicaps, and enquiries or complaints should be made in writing and addressed to the appropriate Office bearers of that Committee.

CH.2   Competitions and Handicaps shall be in accordance with the Rules of Golf published by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews; The Scottish Golf Union (SGU) and the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) and other, appropriate regulatory bodies.

CH.3   All fully paid-up Members of the Club in good standing are entitled to play in Club Competitions appropriate to their membership category and providing they have a current, appropriate handicap.

CH.4   All Members who enter a competition may be required to pay an entry fee. If any Member withdraws after the competition draw has been made, they shall forfeit their entry fee. This rule may be waived at the discretion of the Competition’s Committee.

CH.5   Competition trophies are the property of the Club and must normally remain in the Club premises. Any damage to trophies whilst in the safekeeping of any member shall be their responsibility to repair, or replace, if such damage is unrepairable.

CH.6   Entries for Club competitions will close as indicated on the Noticeboard. Generally, entries for Club competitions will close at noon on the day prior to the competition. Entry sheets will be posted on the Noticeboard.

CH.7   Tee reservations, which are posted on the appropriate Noticeboard, must be followed.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION – MARCH 2006

Page 3, Item C.3.1.1 – amended to read “and a minimum of 4 and no more than 8 Ordinary Members”

Page 2, Item C.3.1.5 – amended to read “The Captain of the Ladies Section; The Competition’s Secretary”

Page 2, Item C.3.3 – amended to read “The Competitions Committee”

Page 3, Item C.3.3.1 – through Item C.3.3.11 and Byelaws Page 9 Item B.1.1 to B.1.5 all references to “Greens’ Committee” to be deleted and “Competitions Committee” inserted.

Page 5, Item C.4.4.2 – amended to read “The Treasurer will prepare and Annual Financial Statement for issue to the Membership at its Annual General Meeting.”

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION – FEBRUARY 2022

Page 3, Item C.3.2.1 Amend to read “The House Sub Committee with The House/Social Sub-Committee.”

Page 3, Item   C 3. 3. 4 added to end of paragraph “and completed any mandatory training and is in receipt of relevant PVG/ child protection requirements”.                                                                                                                                                                   

Page 5, Item C 6.1 Amend “Overseas” to “International” 

Page 6, Item C 7.3 Amend “Fifty” to “10%”

Page 6, Item C 7.5.2 Amend “25%”  to “10%”

Page 11, Item B 2.72 Add “A Country Member will be entitled to play in a maximum of 4 x annual medals – plus any Annual Charity Events.”

“A Country member will NOT be able to participate in the Annual Club Championship or any events where a trophy is involved “

“A Country member will be required to pay all costs attached to own personal green fees.”

“The Annual fee should be set at 50 % of the Standard Annual Membership of a full adult member.”

Page 11, Item B 2.8 Amend “Overseas Members” to “International Members”

Page 11, Item B.2.8.1 Add “An international member will be required to pay all costs attached to own personal green fees”.

Page 12, Item B 3.2 Delete “in full” and add final sentence “Where members wish to ‘spread’ their membership payments over an extended period they must pay 50% of their fee before the AGM and the remaining balance paid in full no later than 31 July”.                                                                                                                                                             

Page 12, Item B 3.5 Amend “whose subscriptions are not paid in full” to “who have not paid at least 50% of their subscription”.

Page 12, Item B.2.11 – Addition of an Associate Membership – £10                                                                                                                                                           

“Associate Members shall be persons over the age of 18 years at the time of their paying their subscription for any year. The Committee shall determine the number of Associate Members. They shall not constitute their own Section within the Club. Associate Members may attend General Meetings of the Club but may not speak or vote and shall have no part in the running of the Club. An Associate Member shall not be eligible for election to the Management Committee. As soon as elected to Associate Membership, the Clubs’ Constitution, Byelaws and Rules shall bind a new member.”

Page 13, Item B.3.7 – Add a second paragraph to read “As per section B.3.7 of the constitution it is proposed that a bar levy of £50 be introduced for season 2023-2024 to encourage members into the clubhouse.”

 

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION – MARCH 2023

 

Page 4, Item C4.1.1 amended to read “Candidates for Vice Captain can come from the current management committee, however, if this proves difficult then the committee can nominate a member or members to be approached about the Vice Captain’s position. If one or more of these members is interested, the committee will discuss the candidates and reach a decision on who to ask to become the Vice Captain.’

Page 4, Item C.4.1.3 – Removed.

Page 6, Item C.7.2 amended to read “sent by post or email”

Page 6,  Item C.7.5.1 amended to read “first suitable Friday in February.” 

Page 10, Item B.2.3.1.1 amended to read “men who are between the ages of 22 and 64 years of age at the time of paying their subscription for any year.”

Page 10, Item B.2.3.2.1 addition of Intermediate Membership section.

Page 11, Item B.2.3.3.1 amended to ready “men who are 65 years of age before the 1st April for any year.”

Page 13, Item B3.2 amended to ready “Where members wish to spread their membership payment over an extended period, they can pay their membership fees in 5 monthly instalments by standing order. The 1st payment must be paid before the AGM and the 5th and final payment before the 1st July and if wishing to play in the Club Championships, before the booking sheet goes up for the first round of this competition. Any missed payments will result in the member not being allowed to play in club competitions until the missed payment has been paid.”