Club Rules

Rule 1.  Name of the Club

The Club shall be called “VENTNOR GOLF CLUB” 

Rule 2.  Constitution

(a)  The Club is a Members Club and Membership of the Club shall be open to all as defined in Rule 12, the number of who shall from time to time be determined by the Management Committee as hereinafter defined.

(b)  The main purpose of the Club is to provide facilities for, promote and encourage participation in the sport of golf for the whole Community.

(c)  Members of the Club shall, subject to the Rules and Byelaws for the time being in force, be entitled to use and enjoy, in common with other Members of the Club, the Golf Course, the Club premises and the things therein provided. 

Rule 3.   Officers of the Club

There shall be a President, Captain, Ladies’ Captain, Vice-Captain, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Assistant Secretary, Immediate Past President, Immediate Past Captain and Match Secretary.

Rule 4.  Management of the Club

a)     Management:  The Management of the Club shall be vested in the “Management Committee” of 6 Members of the Club plus the 10 Officers of the Club.  A quorum shall consist of a total of 3 Officers and 2 Committee Members.  In the case of equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second and casting vote.

(b)     Retiring Members:  At the General Meeting in every year, the Officers of the Club with the exception of the President and Secretary, and three (3) of the elected members of the Management Committee shall retire from Office but shall be eligible for re-election.  The Members of the Management Committee to retire in each year being those who have been longest in Office since their last election, but, as between persons who became Members of the Management Committee on the same day, those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree amongst themselves) be determined by lot.  The President and Secretary shall serve for a period of 3 years, unless (s)he wishes to retire in that period.

(c)     Casual Vacancies  The Management Committee may, from time to time, appoint any qualified person to fill a casual vacancy, the person so appointed shall hold office only until the next Annual General Meeting, when (s)he shall be eligible for re-election.

(d)     Co-option  The Management Committee shall have the power to co-opt Members on to the Management Committee or Sub-Committee thereof, when that Committee considers that the Member has specialized knowledge or abilities applicable to the occasion or need.  On completion of such occasion or need, the co-opted Member shall retire from that Committee unless an Annual General Meeting deems otherwise.

(e)     Honorary Officers on Committee  The Captain, Ladies’ Captain, Vice-Captain, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Asst. Secretary, Immediate Past President and Immediate Past Captain shall be ex-officio Members of all Committees

(f)      Sub-Committees  The Management Committee shall appoint from the body of it’s members:

(1)  A Greens Sub-Committee  (3 Members)
(2)  A Match & Handicap Sub-Committee  (3 Members)
(3)  House & Social Sub-Committee  (4 Members)
(4)  A Financial Sub-Committee  (3 Members)
(5)  A Bar Sub-Committee  (4 Members)

Members of the Bar Sub-Committee shall be elected members of the Full Committee. (Co-opted Members may NOT serve in this capacity).

Rule 4.  Management of the Club (Cont.)

(g)     Election of Members to the Management Committee  One month before the Annual General Meeting the Hon. Secretary shall post on the Notice Board the Names of Members retiring from the Committee together with a list of the Posts to be filled, i.e. Honorary Officers, etc.

Members of the Management Committee shall be elected by Ballot at the Annual General Meeting.  Any two Members of the Club shall be at liberty to nominate a Member to serve as an Honorary Officer or on the Management Committee, having previously received the consent of such Member.  The name of the Member so nominated shall be in the hands of the Hon. Secretary at least fourteen (14) days before the Annual General Meeting, and will then be posted on the Notice Board together with the names of the Proposer and Seconder.  If there are more Candidates than vacancies, the Election shall be by ballot, and if two (2) Candidates receive an equal number of votes, the Committee (in Office) shall select the Candidate to serve.

(h)     Chairman at General Meetings:  At the Annual General meeting the Chair shall be taken by the President.  In his absence, the Members present and voting at the Meeting shall elect the Chairman for that meeting.  In the event of voting for and against a motion being equal, the Chairman may exercise the right to a Casting Vote.

(i)       Overdraft  and Loan Facilities:  The Hon. Secretary and Hon Treasurer may arrange overdraft facilities with the Club’s bankers, from time to time as necessary

Rule 5.  Auditors

The Auditors shall be confirmed in Office by the Members at the Annual General Meeting.

Rule 7.  Eligibility for Officers

The Officers of the Club and Members for election to the Management Committee shall meet the following criteria:

(a)      Be fully paid up Members in accordance with Rules 13 & 14 and in any case by March 1st of the relevant year.

(b)      No Employee of the Club shall be permitted to hold any position as an Officer of the Club or Management Committee member regardless of category of Membership.  Any Employee, for the purpose of this Rule, shall be any person given a formal Contract of Employment and be in receipt of wages or salary at the normal rate for the job undertaken.

Rule 8.  Club Meetings

The Financial Year of the Club shall end on 31^st December in each and every year, and the Annual General Meeting, for the purpose of passing the accounts, election of Officers, revising of Rules and other Business shall be held on a date not later than November 30th in every year.  A motion for the alteration of any of the Rules of the Club, or any enactment of a new Rule, can be moved at this meeting only, except as provided otherwise by Rule 9.  Written notice of such motion, with the name(s) of its Proposer and Seconder, must be given to the Hon. Secretary at least ONE CALENDAR MONTH before the date appointed for the Meeting, and be posted by him on the Notice Board in the Club Room.  Any amendment to a Motion for the alteration of a Rule, or enactment of a new Rule, must be sent to the Hon. Secretary and be posted by him, with the name of the Proposer and Seconder, fourteen (14) days before the date of the Meeting.  To ensure the alteration of any Rule, at least Fifteen (15) Members must be present at the meeting and no resolution shall be carried without the concurrence of two thirds of those present and voting.

Rule 9.  Extraordinary General Meetings

Extraordinary General Meetings may be summoned by the Management Committee at not less than fourteen (14) days notice to the Members, and may also be summoned at similar notice upon receipt by the Hon. Secretary of a requisition signed by at least TEN (10) members of the Club.  The notices shall specify the resolution or resolutions to be proposed, and to the discussion of such resolution to which the business of the meeting shall be strictly confined.  The attendance of not fewer than fifteen (15) Members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, and no resolutions shall be declared carried unless supported by two thirds of those present and voting.

Rule 10. Election of New Members to the Club

The names and addresses of candidates, together with the names of Proposers and Seconders, to both of whom they must be known personally, must be sent in writing to the Hon. Secretary, stating type of Membership proposed, and such names shall be posted on the Notice Board at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Management Committee meeting.  The election shall be dealt with by the Management Committee at which at least five (5) Members of the Committee shall vote. A simple majority vote of  those voting being against shall exclude such Candidate.

Rule 11.  New members – Introduction to the Club

On the election of a Member, the Hon. Secretary shall at once give him notice thereof, and furnish the Member with a copy of the Rules of the Club.  Such subscription as may be due for the current year shall be paid by the new Member within one month of the date of such notice.  Failing payment by that date, the election shall be void and intimation of the fact be conveyed by the Hon. Secretary to the Proposer.  A Member having paid his/her subscription shall be bound by the Rules of the Club.

Rule 12.  Types of Membership

Membership may be categorised as follows:

1. Full  -  Male or Female persons resident on the Isle of Wight
    

2.  Full – (Over 65, 70 or 80).  As above but with age consideration.
    

3. Six Day – As (a) without permission to play on Sundays.
    

4. Five Day - As (a) without permission to play on Saturday or Sunday.  In categories (c) and (d) permission may be granted for play on those days if no Competition is in progress on the day in question.
    

5.  Country –   Such applicants must be resident on the Mainland with no more than two (2) months residence
    on the Isle of Wight per annum and no permanent abode thereon.
    

6. Service or Forces – Persons serving in, and on leave from, H.M. Armed Forces.
    

7. Junior - Under 18 years of age
    

8.  Associate – Non-playing (Social) Member, subject to a number not exceeding 10% of  the Total
                       Membership.
    

9.  Temporary and Guests –
   
   (a)     Subject to restrictions from time to time imposed by the Management Committee, visitors may use the Course and Club premises, and become Temporary Members, upon entering their name in the
   Temporary Members (Green Fees) Book and paying the prescribed Green Fee.  Temporary Members
   wishing to use the Bar Area must make application for Temporary Clubhouse Membership.  Two (2) clear
   days must elapse between such application and the grant of Temporary Clubhouse Membership.
   
   (b)      Guests of Members may use Club premises upon being introduced by a Member who shall enter their
   name(s) in the Visitors Book.  Guests may not purchase any intoxicating liquor (but may consume same at
   member’s expense).
   
   (c)    No Member may introduce the same playing Temporary Member more than eight (8) times in any
   calendar year, if that Temporary Member be a Resident of the Isle of Wight.
   
   (d)      Full, 6 Day, Country and Service Members elected after 1^st July shall pay half annual subscription for
   that year.

Rule 13.   Scale of Entrance Fees and Annual Subscriptions

The Members in November each year may revise the scale of Entrance Fees and Subscriptions annually, on the recommendations of the Management Committee.  Such recommendations will be notified to the Members by posting on the Notice Board within fourteen (14) days of the Annual General Meeting.  Annual Subscriptions are payable in advance on 1^st January  in every year.  Members using Bankers Orders (Direct Debits) should pay to the credit of the Club, i.e. Ventnor Golf Club, c/o Lloyds TSB, Regent Street, SHANKLIN, Isle of Wight.

Rule 14.   Members in Arrears of Subscriptions

On the first day in February each year, a notice shall be sent to every Member whose Subscription is in arrears.  A list of all Members in arrears shall be posted on the Notice Board on 1^st March each year.  The name of any Member leaving their Subscription unpaid throughout a period of three (3) months shall be erased from the books of the Club and, such having been done, his name can be replaced only with the consent of the Management Committee, and only then upon payment of all arrears.  No Member shall play the Course if one (1) month in arrears.

Rule 15.  Expulsion of Members

If the conduct of any Member shall, at any time, be considered derogatory or injurious to the character or interest of the Club, and in the unanimous opinion of the Management Committee such as to merit expulsion, the Management Committee shall have power to call upon the offending Member to resign, and failing compliance within fourteen (14) days, the Management Committee may expel such Member, who shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Club, forfeiting fees already paid.  Such Member shall have the right to present his case to the Committee before final action is taken.

Rule 16.  Withdrawing and Re-joining

Any Member wishing to withdraw from the Club shall give notice, in writing, to the Hon. Secretary prior to January 1^st in each year, after which date the Member shall be liable for the current year’s subscription and shall pay arrears at the due date of such notice.  Former members of the Club wishing to re-join shall be subject to re-election as provided for in Rule (10).

Rule 17.  Members Personal Contact Information

Members shall, at all times, communicate to the Hon. Secretary, any changes in address, and any other information relevant to their Club Membership, and all notices sent to Members at such address etc., shall be considered duly delivered.

Rule 18.  Complaints

All complaints should be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary, who shall submit them to the Management Committee if unable to satisfy them himself.

Rule 19.  Interpretation of Rules and Settlement of Disputes

All doubts as to the meaning and construction of the Rules and all questions in dispute during any Competition of the Club, open or otherwise, shall be referred to the Hon. Secretary or Captain for the ruling of the Management Committee, whose decision shall be final.

Rule 20.  Annual General Meeting Procedure

Apart from the items designated on the Agenda as required by the Management Committee, any item required to be added under Any Other Business must be notified to the Hon. Secretary, in writing, at least fourteen (14) days before the Annual General Meeting so that it can be posted on the Notice Board, and any information required can be made available.

Rule 21.  Duties of Honorary Secretary

The Hon. Secretary (and/or Secretaries) shall conduct the correspondence of the Club and shall have custody of all the documents belonging to the Club (except those referring to the finances of the Club).  He shall keep full and correct Minutes of all proceedings and shall pay to the credit of the Club, at any such bank as the Management Committee may from time to time direct, all sums of monies received by him on behalf of the Club, and shall keep the Hon. Treasurer informed of such transactions.  He shall endeavour to maintain the Standards of the Club and ensure that all Members and Visiting Members meet the requirements of Membership.

Rule 22.  Duties of the Honorary Treasurer

The Hon. Treasurer shall prepare the Statement of Accounts to be submitted to the Auditors and thereafter, if the Auditors are satisfied, shall post the same on the Club Notice Board at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.  He shall prepare a Financial Report for the Annual General Meeting and at such Meeting be prepared to receive and answer questions relating to his Statements of Account.  He shall report the financial position of the Club to the Management Committee at their Meetings, and give guidance and advice on all financial matters relating to the Club.  Cheques on the Club’s Bankers, unless and until the Management Committee shall deem otherwise, from time to time, be signed by two (2) of the following Officers: Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, or the President in Office.

Rule 23.  Trustees

The Property of the Club shall be vested in four (4) Trustees who shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting of the Club on the recommendation of the Management Committee.  Subject to Rule (24) the Property vested in them shall be dealt with them as the Management Committee may from time to time direct by resolution (of which an entry in the Minute Book shall be conclusive evidence).  The Trustees shall be indemnified against risk and expense out of the Club Property.  The Trustees shall hold Office until death or resignation or until removal from the Club in a General Meeting.  Where by reason of such death, resignation or removal it is necessary that a new Trustee or Trustees be appointed, the Management Committee shall nominate the person or persons to be appointed by the Club as the new Trustee or Trustees at a General Meeting.  For the purpose of giving effect to such nominations the President for the time being of the Club is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustees Act 1925, and he shall by Deed duly appoint the person or persons so nominated by the Club.

Rule 24.  Club Property

No part of the Freehold or Leasehold land and buildings vested in the Trustees shall be sold, leased or disposed of in any way without the prior sanction of a General meeting of members called for that purpose.  A resolution proposing such disposal must be circulated to all Members at least twenty-one (21) days before the date of the General Meeting called for that purpose.  All Members shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy at such Meeting and any resolution relating to such disposal must be passed by a majority of at least Eighty (80) per cent of those voting.

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