SSGS RULES AND REGULATIONS
COMPETITION ARRANGEMENTS AND CONDITIONS
Competition is the glue that binds the Society. We are very proud of the way that clubs, members and the golfing press have responded to our competition programme. Many members have expressed delight in that, having felt as if they had been consigned to the grazing pastures, suddenly discovered that the competitive flame is still burning, particularly when offered the chance to measure themselves against others of similar ability and vintage.
We are fortunate to currently have a thriving membership but that brings challenges, particularly in allowing the maximum number to play in some of our more popular events.
Securing a place should be considered a privilege since other may not have succeeded in doing so, so please don't take it for granted. Going forward we will be much more insistent that trivial withdrawals before and during events will have consequences so please take careful note of condition 6 below.
ENTRY FORMS CAN BE LOCATED ON THE WEBSITE AND THE PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS :-
1. Closing dates for entry mean precisely that and will be 28 days before each event. Over-subscribed entries will be subject to ballot on the basis of handicap at closing date.. For ballot rules and process click here to open.
2. In any case where there is not a full field we shall report that fact on the website and, exceptionally, take further entries on a first come, first served basis with priority given to paid up members.
3. We do not accept requests for changed times on the second day to meet players' other commitments. This causes resentment when a two-ball is left and members are asked to bear this in mind when requesting a particular time slot.
4.Lateness for tee times will be subject to the penalties laid out in the R & A rules.
5. The Championship Committee for each event has final discretion in applying these conditions.
6. If for any reason you have to withdraw from an event at a late stage it is essential that you telephone the clubhouse of the host club and attempt to make contact or at least leave a message for the SSGS tournament officials on duty on 07765 560715, explaining the circumstances. In addition, as soon as practicable you should send an email to comps@scottishseniorsgolf.com confirming the telephone call and the reasons for non-appearance.
As well as causing administrative difficulties an unexplained absence deprives another member of a place in the field, particularly as there are often players on standby pending spaces becoming available.
Players are expected to complete all 36 holes of the competition, and should enter on that basis.
If for any reason you require to withdraw after the first round of an event you are required to report the circumstances to the SSGS tournament officials on duty. Failure to comply with these obligations and to provide satisfactory explanations for withdrawal may, in the case of second offenses, result in a period of suspension from future events.
SUSPENSION OF PLAY DURING DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
Rule of Golf 6-8b applies and briefly, where a group is between holes when play is suspended they must not resume until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. Where a hole has been started they may elect to stop immediately or complete that hole. They must then discontinue play until resumption is ordered.
Players have the option of lifting their balls having marked the position and taking shelter in the clubhouse or other safe refuge.
Methodology of sounding warnings vary from Club to Club, but will be advised at each event.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All Scottish Seniors Golf Society (SSGS) members have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. The SSGS Committee recognises this responsibility and will ensure that members behave appropriately and correctly. Any conduct that appears to endanger the character, interests or good order of the SSGS is not acceptable.
The SSGS deplores all forms of bullying, harassment and inappropriate behaviour towards members and staff of golf clubs which are being used to hold our competitions. We do not condone or accept any form of bullying or harassment and particularly on account of gender, religion, race, age, sexual orientation or disability.
It is the responsibility of all members of the SSGS to report immediately any improper conduct or offensive behaviour during competition (including practice days) to the SSGS Secretary, or to any Committee member.
The SSGS Committee will address informal and formal complaints promptly and take appropriate action based on the findings of that complaint investigation. The actions that are available to the SSGS include disqualification from an event, suspension or termination of membership, depending on the conclusion of the investigatory process.
While not anticipating problems among our friendly and well disciplined group of members, we have adopted disciplinary procedures in line with those used by Scottish Golf. These procedures are intended to address breaches of SSGS rules, etiquette, standards of conduct, any complaint about a member, and complaints about anyone competing in SSGS events.
For the avoidance of doubt, these procedures apply to breaches or complaints involving individual parties. Wider issues, potentially involving larger groups, will be addressed through discussion and negotiation with the SSGS committee, and then if required and deemed appropriate, by calling an emergency general meeting of the SSGS.
Informal Process
Where possible, there should be an informal process for resolving any complaint or potential breach, involving confidential discussion and negotiation. Any member with an informal complaint should first approach his Area Representative who in turn would contact the SSGS Secretary. The member should confirm to the Area Representative that this complaint is initially to be dealt with as an informal complaint.
An informal process will involve the SSGS Committee, or other SSGS office bearers, discussing and resolving the complaint or potential breach with relevant members. All parties involved in this process will ensure that full confidentiality is maintained throughout. Should the matter not be resolved at this stage, then it would be formally presented to the SSGS Committee by the complainant.
Formal Process - Membership and Powers of Committee
In the event of a formal complaint or breach, the SSGS Committee will be the Disciplinary Committee with the power to act in the name of the SSGS and determine disciplinary issues coming before it. This Disciplinary Committee shall normally consist of a subset of the SSGS Committee with four members; the SSGS Chairman, SSGS Secretary, SSGS Competitions Secretary and an agreed SSGS Area Representative. The Disciplinary Committee shall appoint a Chairman.
Any potential member of this Committee may ask to be excused on grounds of friendship or any other relevant reason, e.g. bias, previous incidents. In such an event, the SSGS Committee will arrange for a new fourth member to join this Committee by agreement. However, if it it is deemed necessary and agreed by parties involved in this process, an independent Disciplinary Committee, comprising four members can be established. These new Disciplinary Committee members will be identified by the SSGS Committee, and appointed subject to their agreement to take part in this process.
In the event that a disciplinary action from the Disciplinary Committee leads to an appeal, the full SSGS Committee shall immediately appoint an Appeals Panel to consider an appeal. This Appeals Panel will comprise three SSGS members, who will all agree to take part in this process. In appointing members to this Panel, the SSGS Committee will ensure that no member of this Panel is a member of the Disciplinary Committee, and also aim to ensure that these appointees are acceptable to all parties involved in the breach or complaint.
The Appeals Panel will agree a Chairman to this Panel. The Appeals Panel will have the power to amend imposed penalties given sufficient valid grounds. Decisions will be reached by vote with the Chairman having the casting vote.
Formal Process - Complaint Handing
All parties involved in this process will ensure that full confidentiality is maintained throughout.
The member or members (referred to thereafter as “Party”) submitting a complaint relating to other member/s (referred to thereafter as the “Member”) must submit a complaint in writing by letter to the SSGS Secretary. The Party must state clearly that the complaint is a formal complaint and the letter must specify details of the alleged incident and, if appropriate, the code of behaviour breached.
The Member relating to the complaint has, in all cases, the right to know the identity of the Party who has submitted the complaint, and the full text of the complaint. A copy of the letter shall be forwarded to the Member with the request for the Member to submit a response within seven days. The SSGS Secretary shall undertake any further investigations and copy in the SSGS Committee together with any relevant material.
Once referred, the Secretary shall arrange to form the Disciplinary Committee and convene a hearing of the Disciplinary Committee at which the Member shall be supplied with all material relevant to the case. The Member will also be given details of the formal process for conduct of the hearing, any subsequent appeal, and possible penalties.
All disciplinary and appeals meetings shall be fully minuted by the Secretary or other nominated person. Record of the proceedings should be retained by the Secretary in a secure and confidential manner. Copies, by paper, should be released on request to any person affected by the outcomes.
Any notices or correspondence issued under the procedures to the Party and the Member should be sent by first class recorded delivery or electronic mail. Delivery should be deemed as two days for recorded delivery and one day for electronic mail.