Organizational By-Laws
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Puerto Del Sol Golf Association.
II. PURPOSE
A) Puerto Del Sol Golf Association is an organization of individual members with an elected board and appointed committees to supervise golf activities in accordance with the rules, policies, and guidance of the United States Golf Association (USGA). It is a member organization of the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association (SCAGA).
The purposes of this organization are:
1. To stimulate interest in golf at the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course by bringing together a group of golfers desirous of forming a golfing organization.
2. To promote fellowship and sportsmanship associated with the game of golf.
3. To maintain a uniform, fair, and equitable system of handicapping as set forth in the USGA Handicap System and to issue USGA handicap indexes to the membership through SCAGA.
4. To provide an authoritative body to govern and conduct tournaments or competitions at the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course for its members.
B) Puerto Del Sol Golf Association is not intended as a profit-making enterprise, nor is it organized with the expectation of making any profit. No pecuniary gain shall benefit any individual member except for appropriate prizes won in association with organization sponsored events. All prizes won in organizational sponsored events shall conform with USGA guide-lines, as listed in Appendix IV, Rules of Amateur Status, #4.
III. MEMBERSHIP & PRIVILEGES
Puerto Del Sol Golf Association currently has two (2) types of memberships.The cost of a regular membership is $45.00 per year. The cost of an associate membership is $25.00 per year. All rights and privileges are denoted herein:
A) MEMBERSHIP. Membership shall be entirely voluntary, subject only to payment of the current year dues. ALTHOUGH MOST MEMBERS ARE ADULTS, JUNIORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO JOIN, ON THE CONDITION
THEY REACH AGE 15 PRIOR TO JANUARY 1ST OF THE CURRENT YEAR. A playing member may not be a professional golfer.
B) VOTING RIGHTS. Each member of Puerto Del Sol Golf Association shall be entitled to one (1) vote
in any affair of the association that comes before the membership for a vote.
C) PRIVILEGES. Each member shall have the following privileges:
1. The right to participate in any organization sponsored event, except that;
A) There is no available remaining space for a potential entrant.
B) A potential entrant does not have an established handicap.
C) Only members who have participated in a minimum of three (3) tournaments during a calendar year will be deemed to be eligible to enter the Club Championship Tournament. IN THE EVENT OF UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS HEALTH ISSUES OR EMERGENCIES, AN INDIVIDUAL MAY PETITION THE COMMITTEE IN WRITING TO DETERMINE ELEGIBILTY.
2. Any member shall have the right to hold an elective office within the organization if selected
by a vote of the general membership.
3. Any member shall have the right to serve on any of the organizations committees if so
appointed or elected.
D) SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION. The following procedures shall apply to suspension from
competition or expulsion from membership to the organization.
1. Suspension from Competition: Any member, otherwise entitled to participate in organization sponsored competition, may be suspended for good cause from participation in one tournament by decision of the Tournament/Rules Committee, after an open hearing by the Board of Directors and with two thirds of the directors present affirming the decision of the Tournament/Rules Committee. The subject member shall be notified of the hearing and shall have full right to present their arguments before the Board of Directors.
2. Expulsion from the Organization: Any member, upon written complaint from any other three (3) members of the organization, and after an open hearing by the Board of Directors, with the subject member notified of the hearing, may be expelled from membership for good cause by unanimous vote of the full Board of Directors. If the subject member be a Director of the Organization, their vote shall not be considered in the requirement for unanimity.
​
3. AT A MEETING BY THE BOARD IN DECEMBER 2018 AND BY A VOTE OF THE MEMBERS, THE FOLLOWING WAS DECIDED:WHEN AN ALLEGATION OF INCORRECT SCOREKEEPING OR OTHER RULES VIOLATIONS ARE MADE, THERE WILL BE A THREE (3) STEP PROCESS.
A) ON THE FIRST VIOLATION, THE MEMBER ALLEGED TO HAVE VIOLATED THE RULES, WILL BE GIVEN A LETTER OF WARNING. THE PLAYER HAS THE RIGHT TO DISPUTE THE ALLEGATIONS IN PERSON BEFORE THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
B) ON THE SECOND VIOLATION, THE MEMBER WILL BE ASSIGNED A PLAYER IN EVERY TOURNAMENT TO MONITOR FOR ANY RULES OR SCOREKEEPING VIOLATIONS. IF THE INCIDENT INVOLVES SUSPECTED COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO PLAYERS, THOSE TWO PLAYERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY IN THE SAME PAIRINGS IN ANY TOURNAMENT.
C) ON A THIRD VIOLATION, THE PLAYER WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM THE ASSOCIATION FOR ONE CALENDAR YEAR. AT THE END OF THAT SUSPENSION, THE PLAYER MAY ASK TO BE REINSTATED.AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE, THAT PLAYER MAY BE ASSIGNED A RULES MONITOR IN TOURNAMENT PLAY.
IV. FEES AND DUES
A) There shall be no fees required in connection with the application for membership, however, each application for membership shall be accompanied with the application for membership. Dues are payable in full at the time of application and shall not be prorated.
B) The annual dues for membership shall be determined by the organizations Board of Directors at its first regular meeting immediately following the general election. Dues are for a calendar year, January 1 through December 31 and are payable in full, in advance, without proration. No member may participate in any organization sponsored event until said time at which all dues have been paid in full.
V. ORGANIZATION EXPENDITURES
The Board of Directors, by majority vote, must approve all club expenditures. No member, organization officer, or Board Member is authorized to commit organizational treasury funds for any purpose without majority vote approval of the Board of Directors.
VI. OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION
A) Elective officers of Puerto Del Sol Golf Association shall be as follows:
1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Tournament/Rules Chairman
6. Handicap Chairman
7. Sun Country Liaison Officer
In addition to these elected officers, there shall be a non voting member of the Board of Directors selected from the Staff of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course who shall act in an advisory position to the Board of Directors.
B) Terms: Elected officers of the association shall take office immediately upon their election and
shall serve a term of one (1) year, and until successors are duly elected. Officers are eligible for re-election. As vacancies within the Board of Directors occur for a reason other than normal expiration of terms, the vacancy may be filled for the balance of the term by a suitable organization member appointed by a majority vote of the remaining Board of Directors. The person so elected shall hold office for the remaining unexpired term of their predecessor. THE BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REPLACE OFFICERS IF VACANCIES OCCUR DURING THE YEAR. IF NO MEMBERS PUT THEIR NAME UP FOR NOMINATION, PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE ASSOCIATION CAN BE NOMINATED.
C) Removal from Office. Any officer of the association may be removed from office by a majority vote
of the membership at a special membership meeting called for the purpose of a re-call vote.
D) Duties of the Officers. Duties of the officers of the organization are as follows:
1. President. The President shall be the chief officer of the organization, and shall chair all meetings of the board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall make suggestions and recommendations and may, in his opinion, be of benefit in promoting the welfare and usefulness of the organization. The President shall have the power to disperse funds (including writing checks) of the Club in the absence of the Treasurer. The President shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office.
2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President during any absence of the President. The Vice-President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office.
3. Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for the administration of the association. The Secretary shall give notice of and attend all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall conduct the organizations correspondence, keep records of all proceedings and meetings, and shall supervise the publication of the organizations newsletter, and other publications. The Secretary shall also maintain a list of all members of the organization including all committees thereof.
4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all money received and expended for the use of the organization, and shall make disbursements authorized by the Board of Directors. All sums received shall be deposited in the bank approved by the organizations Board of Directors. Funds should be disbursed only on the signature of the Treasurer, or in his absence, on the signature of the Club President. All funds, books, and vouchers, in the Treasurer’s hands shall, at all times, be subject to inspection and verification by the Board of Directors and/or an audit committee established by the Board of Directors. At the expiration of the Treasurer’s term of office, all books, money, and other property belonging to the organization shall be delivered to the successor of the office. The Treasurer shall prepare and present a financial report at the annual meeting prior to the election of new officers.
​
5. Tournament/Rules Chairman. The Tournament/Rules Chairman shall chair the Tournament/Rules Committee, and shall be responsible for supervision and execution of all of the duties and responsibilities of that committee.
​
6. Handicap Chairman. The Handicap Chairman shall chair the Handicap Committee and shall be responsible for the supervision and execution of all the duties and responsibilities of that committee.
​
7. Sun Country Liaison Officer. The Sun Country Liaison Officer shall be responsible to the President and the Board for all coordination between the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association and the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association (SCAGA). The duties, functions, and responsibilities of this position have been set forth by SCAGA and as modified or amended by its Board of Directors.
​
8. Puerto Del Sol Golf Course Staff Member. A staff member of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course, appointed by the Board of Directors, shall make suggestions and recommendations as may, in his or her opinion, tend to promote the best interests of the organization, its purpose and objectives and the overall effectiveness of the organization. The staff member shall act as a consultant or advisor to all committees when required and perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to his or her position. This member of the Board of Directors shall have no Board or Committee vote.
VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The affairs of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the elected officers of the organization and the immediate Past-President of the organization. At any Board of Directors meeting, a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum. In addition, a member of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course Staff shall be appointed by majority vote of the elected officers and serve on the Board of Directors in a non voting capacity.
VIII. ELECTIONS
The election of officers of the organization shall take place at the annual membership meeting. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and shall prepare a slate of nominees containing at least one candidate for each elective office to be filled. Additional nominations for any office shall be permitted from the floor during the annual meeting. Nominations from the floor shall be subject only to a ruling by the Secretary on that nominees qualification as a member of the organization. Voting shall be conducted by the total membership present and shall be for each office individually. At the discretion of the President, elections may be conducted by a show of hands or by written ballot. Candidates receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be deemed duly elected to the respective office for which they were nominated.
IX. COMMITTEES
The following standing committees of the organization shall be established with duties and responsibilities as noted:
A) Tournament/Rules Committee. The Tournament/Rules Committee shall be chaired by the Tournament/Rules Committee Chairman. He, the ex-officio committee members, and two other association members selected by the Chairman shall constitute the Tournament/Rules Committee. The Committee shall:
1. Plan and schedule the types, dates, and times of the organizations various competitions and tournaments for the coming calendar year.
2. Plan and prepare each separate competition or tournament, including verification of entrants eligibilityto compete in that particular competition or tournament and preparation of scorecards and special rules sheets.
3. Prepare and mark the golf course for the associations major two day events.
4. Judge the outcome of any organization sponsored event, including decisions on the Rules of Golf, where a rule or an outcome is in dispute.
5. Make provisions for necessary trophies and awards for the competitions or tournaments.
6. Do all things prerequisite for the effective functioning of the organizations competitions or tournaments.
B) Handicap Committee. The Handicap Chairman shall chair the Handicap Committee. He, the ex-officio members, and two other organization members selected by the Handicap Chairman shall constitute the Handicap Committee. The committee shall:
1. Maintain and administer USGA Ghin services and supplies for organization members.
2. Answer, or obtain an answer, to any handicap related questions which may arise from any general member.
3. Establish, if possible and when needed, reasonable temporary handicaps for new or renewing members.
4. Assess penalties and/or modify members USGA Handicap indexes when such actions meet with USGA Ghin Guidelines.
5. Be responsible for administering, monitoring, and enforcing the USGA Ghin System.
X. MEETINGS
A) Membership Meetings. There will be at least one general membership meeting which will normally be held in October (OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD), for the purpose of:
1. Electing new officers of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association.
2. Receiving year end reports.
3. Transacting any unfinished business coming before the general members.
Special meetings of the Association may be called by the Board of Directors or an officer of the Club. The business to be transacted at the special meeting must be delineated in notice and call sent to each member of the organization at least ten (10) days prior to said meeting. At the special meetings, only the business so delineated may be considered.
B) Board Meetings. The organizations Board of Directors shall meet at least once each quarter to
conduct the ongoing business of the organization. Notice of the date, time and place of all Board of
Directors meetings shall appear in the associations newsletters and shall be posted on the bulletin
board at the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course. Any member of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association may appear in
front of the Board of Directors at these meetings to express his or her individual views and concerns.
The Board of Directors retains the right to limit the amount of time allotted to each member
present. Usual parliamentary rules and procedures will apply at the Board of Directors meetings.
C) Committee Meetings. The organizations committees should meet, as needed, to conduct their business. The dates, times and places of these meetings shall be posted on the bulletin board at the Puerto Del Sol Golf Course as far in advance as is feasibly possible.
XI. RULES OF PLAY
The Rules of Golf, as approved by the United States Golf Association, and as amended by Puerto Del Sol Golf Course Local Rules and any special rules adopted by the Tournament/Rules Committee, shall govern all play in organization sponsored events.
XII. COMPLAINTS
All complaints by members requiring action by the Board of Directors or any of the committees should be made in writing, signed by the member lodging the complaint, addressed to the Board of Directors and delivered to the Secretary of the organization. The Secretary shall forward any and all complaints to the President of the organization who shall make it an order of business at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
XIII. LIABILITY
A) No member, officer, director, or guest of this association shall be liable for the acts, or the failure to
act, of any other member, officer, director or guest of the association. Nor shall any member, officer, director, or guest of the organization be liable for his acts or failure to act under these Organizational Rules and By-Laws, excepting only acts or omissions arising from willful malfeasance.
B) Members of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association participate in all activities at their own risk and the Board
of Directors of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association shall not assume any responsibility for injuries incurred.
XIV. AMENDMENTS
These organizational rules and by-laws may be amended, altered, or repealed in whole or in part, by a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the organization present at any duly organized meeting of the Puerto Del Sol Golf
Association.
XV. FISCAL YEAR
Fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the first day of October each year and end on the last day of September of
the following year.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
These Organizational Rules and By-Laws, having been approved by the general membership of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association, and now having come before the Board of Directors this 6th day of January 2023, are hereby acknowledged and adopted as the Governing Rules of the Puerto Del Sol Golf Association.