Pacific Coast Deaf Golf Club – By-Laws

(June 4, 2022)

Article I – Title

Section 1 – Name

The name of the Club shall be “Pacific Coast Deaf Golf Club” (PCDGC), hereinafter referred to as the Club; and it shall operate pursuant to the laws of the State of California and the United States of America.

Article II – Purpose

Section 1 – First

To stimulate interest in golf at the PCDGC by bringing together a group of golfers desirous of forming a golfing organization.

Section 2 – Second

To promote and foster among the members a close bond and fraternity for their joint and mutual benefit, and to promote and conserve the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.

Section 3 – Third

To encourage conformance to the USGA Rules of Golf by creating a representative authority.

Section 4 – Fourth

To maintain a uniform system of handicapping as set forth in the USGA Handicap System and issue PCDGC/USGA Handicap Indexes to the members.

Section 5 – Fifth

To provide an authoritative body to govern and conduct club competitions.

Article III – Membership

Section 1 – Eligibility

Membership shall be available to all deaf and hard of hearing golfers and those who have a genuine interest in the deaf community. There shall be at least 10 members with a maximum membership of 75.

Section 2 – Provisional Membership

New member who joins for first time shall be granted Provisional membership. The status will continue until member completes two tournaments then the member shall be eligible for permanent status as a member of PCDGC. The Board of Directors shall approve the permanent status to the member. The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject the membership if the member’s conduct is detrimental to the organization’s missions.

Section 3 – Non – Transferable

Memberships in the club are individual and non-transferable.

Section 4 – Handicap

Only golfers with a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with fellow members and who can personally return scores for posting may be members and receive PCDGC/USGA Handicap Indexes from the club.

Section 5 – Limitations

Membership confers no voice in the operation of any golf courses, clubhouses, or any facilities of the courses.

Section 6 – Privileges

Membership confers no special privileges in connection with any golf course.

Section 7 – Duration

Memberships in the club are for a calendar year only. The calendar year begins on August 1st and expires on July 31st.

Section 8 – Calendar Year

The fiscal year for the club will be July 1st through June 30th.

Section 9 – Prizes

Members are eligible for any monetary prizes except for members who are age of 18 or under. Those under the age of 18 years shall be eligible for awards and any other recognition that has no monetary value.

Section 10 – Suspension, Expulsion, And Rights

In the event that any member of the club shall commit any act which reflects discredit or disrepute thereon or shall refuse or neglect to comply with rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors or the duly appointed officers, such member shall be subject to suspension or expulsion after (ten days) written notice and the right to be heard, by a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors at any regular meeting or special meeting called for such purpose.

Section 11 – Meetings

The annual meeting of the PCDGC shall be held in June in conjunction with the PCDGC Tournament. The Board shall determine date, time, and place annually. The Board shall provide for the holding of such other meetings as may be deemed necessary or desirable and they shall call special meetings upon written petition by not less than ten percent of the membership.

Section 12 – Quorum

A legal quorum at the annual meeting shall be 10 members present in person or by proxy. Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 13 – Fee Structure

All membership fees and dues shall be established by the Board of Directors and is subject to approval by members at annual general meeting. Members shall be liable for dues. All monies collected shall accrue to the benefit of the membership.

Article IV – Board of Directors

Section 1 – Composition

The Board of Directors shall consist of President, Tournament Director, Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall exercise all powers of management for the club not specifically excerpted by these By-Laws.

Section 2 – Nominations

At least four weeks prior to Annual General Meeting in June May, the Secretary shall inform members of upcoming election through email. Members in good standing may be nominated by a member and seconded by another member at the Annual General Meeting.

Section 3 – Votes

Voting shall be a written ballot and those names receiving the greatest number of votes cast shall be declared winners. The vote shall be held in conjunction to PCDGC tournament in month of June.

Section 4 – Election

Election of board members are held in conjunction with the PCDGC Tournament which is typically held during the month of May of each year. The date, time and place shall be determined by the Board. Only members are eligible to vote and must be present at the Annual General Meeting. Candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall become the elected members of the Board for the new term.

Article V – Term of Officers

Section 1 – Officers

The officers shall be President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Tournament Director.

Section 2 – Term

The term for President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Tournament Director shall be elected to a two (2) year term. The term shall commence on August 1 immediately following the election.

Section 3 – Elections

The election for the President and the Secretary shall be held in even-numbered years while the Tournament Director and Treasurer shall be held in odd-numbered years.

Section 4 – Duties

Duties: The Board of Directors shall have control of the Club and all assets. They shall approve and execute all leases, contracts, or other documents necessary for the operation of the Club.

Article VI – Meetings

Section 1 – Frequency

The Board of Directors shall hold its Annual General Meeting during the PCDGC Tournament in month of June of each year and additional meetings as deemed necessary by the President or when requested in writing to the Secretary by any PCDGC member.

Section 2 – Committees

Special and Standing Committees may be established by the President or by a majority of vote of the board. The committees shall meet in accordance with their objectives as deemed necessary.

Article VII – Vacancies

Section 1 – Presidential Replacement

In the event that the Office of President becomes vacant for any reason, the Board of Directors shall select a current board member by majority vote to serve out the balance of vacated term. The Board of Directors shall also elect a new member to the board to fill this newly created vacancy.

Section 2 – Appointment

In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the Board of Directors shall appoint a Board member to complete the term of the vacated office, as well as a new Board member to fill the Board vacancy thereby created.

Article VIII – Duties of Officers

Section 1 – President

President – It shall be the duty of the President to direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Club. The President runs the regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall vote only when necessary to break a tie.

Section 2 – Tournament Director

Tournament Director – It shall be duty of the Tournament Director to identify golf courses for all PCDGC Monthly and End of Year Major Tournaments; solicits feedback from members and recommends to the Board of Director for approval.  The Tournament Director shall serve as acting President in the absence of the President.

Section 3 – Secretary

Secretary – It shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify all board members of all meetings, to keep minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, to maintain membership status of all members, to keep the bylaws current and to conduct all necessary correspondence of the Club as directed by the President, or by vote of the members of the Board of Directors.

Section 4 – Treasurer

It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to receive all Club funds and at the earliest convenient date, deposit it into appropriate Club accounts. The Treasurer shall keep a written accounting record of all financial transactions, showing in full detail the receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer shall maintain complete and accurate records of accounts, and report financial results to the Board of Directors at least annually and/or upon special request. The Treasurer shall prepare operating statements at least annually and supervise timely preparation of all required tax documents

Section 5 – Standing Rules

The Board of Directors shall specify additional duties for each of the four (4) positions, commensurate with the skills and abilities of each board member according to organizational needs.

Article IX – Code of Conduct

  1. Attire – Participants are expected to abide by golf course’s rules related to proper attire. Failing to comply the rules on proper attire may be subject to action by PCDGC Board of Director. The actions may include disqualification from tournament; asking to leave the premise; or disciplinary action.
  2. Behavior at PCDGC Tournaments – Abusive or inappropriate language: disrespectful behaviors towards officials, volunteers or golf professionals: throwing or breaking golf equipment; any form of cheating; leaving the golf course; without properly notifying an official during a tournament round; and abuse of the golf course in any way will be considered Code of Conduct violations. Offenses/violations may result in automatic disqualification from the tournament and possible suspensions from future events.

Article X – Bank Accounts

All Club bank accounts shall be in financial institutions, which are members of the FDIC, FSLIC, SPIC or similar federal insurer or guarantor Checks drawn on all checking accounts must have the signature of at least one (1) of the officers described in Article V, Sections 1 and 2.

Article XI – Committees

The President recommends to the Board of Directors to approve the creation of a new additional committee, either ad-hoc or standing, as deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the Club. The Board shall name a chairperson, preferably an existing Board member, as well as two other members to serve on any of these committees.

Article XII – Standing Rules

The Board of Directors, upon becoming newly elected officers, should review the Standing Rules and make any necessary modifications for the upcoming calendar year. Standing rules are used to determine changes to membership fees, supplemental rules, and tournament awards which include, but are not limited to, Closest to the Pin, Fewest Putts, Low Gross, Low Net, and Championship Flights. A listing of the awards is to be determined by majority of vote of the Board of Directors on an annual basis.

Article XIII – Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the Club, members at a special meeting shall approve the distribution of all assets.

Article XIV – Non-Discrimination Policy

The Club makes every effort to conduct its official business without discrimination with regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, and disability.

Article XV – Rules of Order

All procedural matters not specifically covered herein shall be governed by the rules of procedure as described in the current edition of the Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

STANDING RULES

Duration of Season

The season shall start in September and end in June.  This will created ten (10) events.

 

Fees

  1. PDCGC Monthly Tournament Entry Fee shall be the green fee plus $20.00 for prize for members.
  2. Membership Dues - $30 for one year; $10 from Dues shall be earmarked to General Fund and $20 from Dues shall be earmarked for End of Year Tournament.
  3. PDCGC Monthly Tournament Prize Distribution –
  4. $10 - Net prizes
  5. $3 - CTP/Putting
  6. $2 - End of the Year Prize (Projected $400 at end of year)
  7. $2 - Skins
  8. $2 - FWGAD Tournament fund
  9. $1 - Ace Fund: At the end of season, the unclaimed Ace fund except for $100 will be transferred to the EOY fund. The amount of $100.00 will be used to maintain the ACE Fund

 

If no Close to Pin winner, then the prize shall be credited to End of Year Tournament’s prizes.

Tournament Formats

 

  1. There shall be ten (10) official PCDGC monthly tournaments during a calendar year. Official tournaments mean members’ points are counted toward end of year prizes/awards.
  2. PCDGC may host up to two (2) non-official PCDGC monthly tournaments during a calendar year. Non-official tournaments mean the event is open to both members and non-members and no points shall be counted toward end of year prizes/awards.
  3. Two non-official events may include Team Scramble, Modified Stableford System, and Blue, White, and Red formats or other format to be determined.
  4. Three-month advance of dates for monthly tournament is required to be posted.
  5. Location of golf courses for monthly golf tournament is required to be posted 1 month in advance.
  6. Eight (8) or more golfers are required to proceed with a tournament. If less than 8 golfers, the tournament shall be cancelled.

 

Handicap

  1. Golfer’s handicap shall be updated every time the tournament is completed.
  2. Handicap shall be capped at HC 36.

PCDGC Player of the Year

Only members are eligible for this award. Points will be awarded every time when official PCDGC Monthly Tournament is completed. Golfer will be awarded on either gross or net score based on higher placement in each group.  Each month the points will be accumulated from tournaments toward end of calendar year. A member with most points shall be declared as PCDGC Player of the Year. The point system is as follows:

USGA/PCDGC Rules

 

  1. Local Rules (as defined in the scorecard) apply in PCDGC tournaments
  2. Winter rules apply in PCDGC tournaments
  3. “Ready golf” shall be enforced at all tournaments
  4. Sand Trap – If a golfer prefers to move golf ball out of sand trap, golfer shall drop in area behind sand trap in line toward green’s hole. Penalty shall be one stroke to be added.
  5. Rangefinder or GPS devices are permitted during tournaments
  6. Golfer is allowed to move the ball within 6 inches anywhere (fairway/rough) except greens, hazard areas and sand traps. (PCDGC rules)
  7. The maximum number of strokes on any hole is double the par plus one. The maximum score shall be 7 on a par 3, 9 on a par 4, and 11 on a par 5. In all cases, the number of putts entered shall be 4. (For example, par 4, one golfer completed the hole on 9th stroke and made two putts, then the score shall be 9-2. If one golfer did not complete the hole after 9th stroke, then the score shall be 9-4)
  8. Golfer who hit wrong ball shall be given a two-stroke penalty to be added on that specific hole number.
  9. Water Hazard - yellow stakes or lines define Water hazards.
    1. The player has 3 options:
      1. Option 1 - Without penalty, play the ball where it lies if it is found.
      2. Option 2 - One stroke penalty, return to the closest point where the ball was last played.
  • Option 3 - One stroke penalty, visualize a line between the hole and the place where the ball last crossed the margin of water hazard anywhere behind the extension of that line with no limit as to the distance.
  1. Lateral Water Hazard - red stakes or lines define Lateral Water Hazards.
    1. The player has 5 options:
      1. First three Options are same applied with Water Hazard. (see above)
      2. Option 4 - One stroke penalty, drop the ball out of the hazard within 2 club-lengths from the point where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard, no nearer the hole.
  • Option 5 - One stroke penalty, drop the ball out of the hazard within 2 club-lengths from a point equidistant from the hole on the opposite margin of the hazard.
  1. Unplayable Ball - The player can declare his ball unplayable anywhere on the course except in a water hazard.
    1. The player has 3 options:
      1. Option 1 - One stroke penalty, return to the closest point from where the ball was last played to play the next stroke.
        1. On the teeing ground, place or put it back on a tee.
        2. On the green, place.
        3. Anywhere else, drop.
      2. Option 2 - One stroke penalty, drop a ball within two club-lengths from where the ball lies without getting closer to he hole.
  • Option 3 - One stroke penalty, visualize a line between unplayable ball and the hole and drop your ball anywhere behind the original ball on the extension of that line with no limit as to the distance. If the unplayable ball is in a bunker the player may proceed under options 1, 2, or 3. If he chooses option 2 or 3, the ball must be dropped in the bunker.
  1. Lost Ball or Out of Bounds - Out of Bounds is the ground where it is forbidden to play (white stakes).
    1. A ball is lost if:
      1. It has not been found or identified within 5 minutes of beginning the search by the player’s team, or
      2. The player has played another ball according to the rules, even if he did not look for the first ball.
    2. The player has 2 options (PCDGC rules):
      1. Option 1 - One stroke penalty, return to the closest point where the ball was last played
      2. Option 2 - One stroke penalty, drop the ball out of the Out of Bounds or Lost Place within 2 club-lengths from the point where the ball crossed the margin of the OB or lost spot, no nearer the hole (PCDGC rules)
  1. Relief from cart paths and ground under repair
    1. When players take relief without penalty from ground under repair or an immovable obstruction, they do not have a choice of sides. Players must establish the nearest point of relief and drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole.
  1. Signing Incorrect Scorecards: If a player signs a scorecard with a score that is higher than what was recorded on scorecard, the score shall stand. If a player signs a scorecard that is lower than what was recorded on scorecard, a two-stroke penalty shall be added to the actual score.

Handicap

  1. All PCDGC handicaps shall be computed under the USGA Handicap System with some minor modifications as described below.
  2. Only those 18-hole rounds completed in the past 24 months are to be used to compute the PCDGC handicap.
  3. To receive full handicap, at least three (3) 18-hole rounds must be completed. If less than three 18-hole rounds are completed, the handicap is reduced by a percentage based on the average score of the 18-hole rounds(60%-65%).
  4. Only those 18-hole rounds in stroke-play outings and tournaments sponsored by the Pacific Coast Deaf Golf Club are to be used to compute the PCDGC handicap.
  5. To maintain a handicap rating, a golfer must play at least one (1) 18 hole round in the past 24 months.
  6. The determination of tee boxes for age 18-54 golfers is as follows:
  7. Players with handicap of 14.9 or less will use Blue tee box but can choose to move up to the higher tee box.
  8. Players with handicap of 15.0 or better will use White tee box but can choose to move up to the higher tee box.
  9. Players 60-69 regardless of handicap will use White tee box but can choose to move up to the higher tee box.
  10. Senior Citizen players (age 70 years or older) regardless of handicap will use Red tee box but can choose to move up to the higher tee box.

Note: The player must choose which tee box at the beginning of each tournament.

 

  1. The determination of tee boxes for age 55-70 is as follows:
    1. Handicap under 6 shall tee from blue box
    2. Handicap between 6 and 14.9 shall tee from white box,
    3. Handicap 15 or above shall tee from red box.
    4. Golfer has an option of moving up a tee box if desired.
  2. The determination of tee boxes for age 70 or older is as follows:
    1. All golfers will tee from red box regardless of handicap.
    2. Golfer has an option of moving up to white box if desired.

Authorization to Participate in Other Tournaments:

There are several tournaments that the PCDGC might be interested in playing.  Of special note is the Winter Cup.  This helps PCDGC set aside funds for future hosting of Far West Golfers of the Deaf tournament

  1. Winter Cup- PCDGC
  2. I-10 Cup – PCDGC participates in the I-10 with Arizona
  3. CA Cup – Competition with North California deaf golfers

 

Positions: There are different positions that keeps PCDGC running.

Handicapper -                                    David Thompson

Gamebook -                                       Farley Warshaw

I-10 Cup Coordinator -                     Farley Warshaw

Website Manager -                           David Thompson

PCDGC Cash App -                          Carlos Andrade

Fundraising -                                      Dave Trimborn for Super bowl

Farley Warshaw for Winter Cup

Winter Cup Coordinator -                 Farley Warshaw

By-laws and Standing Rules           Pete Seiler

CA Cup                                               TBD

Others to be determined as needed

 Updated and Approved by Members at General Meeting Held on June 4, 2022                                    Peter Seiler, Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PCDGC Bylaws