ORANGE COUNTY FIRE
GOLF ASSOCIATION
BYLAWS
ADOPTED
JANUARY 29, 2024
ARTICLE I: ORGANIZATION
Sec. 1 The name of the organization shall be the ORANGE COUNTY FIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION. Henceforth in this document the Orange County Fire Golf Association shall be referred to as the Association.
Sec. 2 Goals of the Association
- The purpose of this Association is to stimulate golf among the members of the current and former members of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), desiring to form a golf organization.
- To promote and foster among its members a closer bond and conserve the best interest and true spirits of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.
- To enforce uniformity in the rules of the game by creating a representative authority.
- To maintain a uniform system of handicapping as set forth in the regulations of the Southern California Golf Association and the USGA.
- To afford a convenient and authoritative body to govern Association tournaments.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Sec. I Membership in the Association shall be as follows.
- Regular Member – any employee or retired employee of the OCFA and is current in membership with the Association.
- Crossover Member – any current or retired employee of a fire department in the Orange County Area, who is current in good standing with another golf association for the current year.
- Associate Member – any non -employee of an Orange County Fire Department (family or friend) who is sponsored by a regular member and approved by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 2 Membership shall be individual and non-transferable in the Association.
Sec. 3 Memberships in the association are for one year only starting on the date of the individual joining SCGA. All cross over memberships are for one calendar year and renewable on or before December 31st of each year.
Sec. 4 Membership dues and fees shall be established annually by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 5 Members of this Association who should commit any act which discredits or brings disrepute upon the Association, or who should refuse or neglect to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, shall be subjected to suspension or expulsion.
Sec. 6 The annual general membership meeting shall be held during the first quarter of each year (maybe held after tournament). The Board of Directors shall provide for the location, time and date of any additional general meetings as may be deemed necessary.
Sec. 7 A legal quorum at any membership meeting shall be a minimum of 25% of the membership present in person. Board of Directors meeting requires at least 66% of the Board present in person to be a quorum. Meetings may be conducted electronically, at the Board’s discretion, with quorum requirements met. Any member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. “Roberts Rule of Orders” shall govern all Association meeting.
ARTICLE III: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec. 1 The Board of Directors shall consist of the following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer/Membership Chairman, Handicap Chairman and Tournament Chairman. A minimum of 51%, or four (4) of the six (6) positions, is required to be a current or former member of the OCFA. The position of President is required to be a current or former member of the OCFA and a current or former member of the Board of Directors.
Sec. 2 Board of Directors Positions shall be open to any rostered Members of the Association, except the position of President (Article III, Section 1). The Board will be elected by the current members of the Association. Elections will be conducted on a staggered basis with the positions of President, Treasurer and Tournament Director elected during even years; Vice President, Secretary and Handicap Chairman elected on odd years.
Sec. 3 The Board of Directors Shall exercise all powers of the Association, not specifically excepted by these by-laws.
Sec. 4 The Board of Directors shall meet at such time and place as they may select but no less than once annually. A quorum consisting of four members of the Board is the minimum attendance to conduct official business at any Board meeting.
Sec. 5 In case of a vacancy, the remaining directors shall select a successor by majority vote to hold the vacant position for the duration of the term.
Sec. 6 The Board of Directors shall establish committees as necessary and shall authorize and define the duties and power of each committee.
Sec. 7 Elections
- Nominations for Board Members shall be opened at the July Tournament and closed at the adjournment of the August tournament.
- Only regular members (OCFA) in good standing shall be nominated for the position of President. Nominees for the position of President are also required to be a current or former member of the Board of Directors.
- Associate /Cross Over Members may hold positions on the Board. A minimum of 51% of the Board of Directors (4 of 6) shall be Regular Members (current or retired) from OCFA.
- The President will instruct the Secretary to prepare ballots and distribute them to the regular members utilizing a secure method of current technology. Ballots will be distributed to the membership at least fifteen (15) days prior to the October tournament.
- The President shall appoint an election committee of two (2) Regular members at the September tournament to ensure the secure and valid distribution of ballots; to receive the returned ballots (physically or electronically); prepare and deliver an election report to the Board of Directors; and to make an election report to the membership at the November tournament.
- Newly elected Board members shall take office on the first day of January in the New Year.
Sec. 8 Duties of each Board Position
- President: Promote the objectives of the Association; preside at all general/executive/board meetings; sign or authorize all correspondence of the Association; ensure that all duties required by the Board of Directors are accomplished.
- Vice President: Assist the President in promoting the objectives of the Association; serve as the President and preside over meetings in his/her absence; coordinate the nominations and elections of the Board of Directors; coordinating the Club Championship, including the coordination and procurement of awards.
- Secretary: Maintain custody of all Association documents, records, books and papers; keep minutes of all board meetings; update and maintain the Association website; prepare and distribute voting notices and ballots.
- Treasurer/Membership: Maintain custody of all Association financial records; keep accurate reports of all deposits and disbursements; sign up new members; collect the yearly renewal memberships; provide an annual budget report to the Board of Directors and Membership.
- Handicap Chairman/Rules Committee Chairman: Maintain a current Handicap Certificate from SCGA; ensure that all tournament results are posted; establish handicaps for new members; attend rules seminars provided by SCGA staff; arbitrate any handicap disputes.
- Tournament Chairman: Establish the annual tournament schedule at the beginning of each year; send out tournament information; collect entry monies for each tournament; post results of each tournament; coordinate the yearly Club Championship.
ARTICLE IV: ASSOCIATION BUDGET
Sec. 1 The budget for the Association is determined by the Board of Directors and is funded by annual membership dues.
Sec. 2 Membership fees shall be used to fund and operate the Association to include, but not limited to, trophies, fees, SCGA dues, hole in one prizes and the Club Championship.
Sec. 3 Members who bring Board approved new members to the Association shall receive a gift card of $25 for each increment of two (2) members per calendar year.
Sec. 4 Membership fees and dues established by the Board of Directors is comprised of the SCGA fee plus additional dues for Regular members and Crossover/Associate members, as determined by the Board each year.
ARTICLE V: TOURNAMENT RULES
Sec. 1 USGA Rules of Golf will always apply unless otherwise directed by tournament Chairman. Exceptions are local rules at tournament course or local rules as adopted by the Board of Directors. Members shall be notified of applicable local rules and shall be noted on the Association’s website.
Sec. 2 Tees to be used at the tournament will be designated by the Tournament Chairman. Exceptions are members who are 70 years or older may choose to play from the regular tees; members who are 80 years and over may choose to play from the forward tees.
Sec. 3 The Tournament Chairman will identify special conditions at each course, to include but not limited to winter rule (lift clean and place) or abnormal course conditions.
Sec. 4 All putts shall be putted out “NO GIMMIES” are allowed. All putting attempts shall be counted and recorded on the player’s scorecard.
Sec. 5 During play, if unsure of a rule, refer to the Rules of Golf. If still unsure, play out the hole with the original ball and play a second ball from the same location, making a notiation on the scorecard. At the conclusion of the round, seek a ruling from a Board Member before signing and submitting scorecard.
Sec. 6 All members are required to post all rounds of golf played and attest to the accuracy of each score posted. Failure to do so may result in penalties assessed by the Handicap Committee. Tournament play (regular and Match) shall be posted by the Handicap Chairman unless otherwise notified.
Sec. 7 Only Regular Members, Regular Associate Members and Regular Crossover Members in good standing and current dues paying members with the Association shall be entitled to receive prize monies and points at each tournament.
ARTICLE VI: CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Sec. 1 The Association will establish an annual Club Championship in November of each year. To determine the number of participants invited to the Club Championship, the Membership Chairman will tabulate the membership total utilizing the February membership roster. The top 20% of the membership, based on accumulated Bear Points will be invited to participate in the Club Championship.
Sec. 2 The participants in the Club Championship will be the top Bear Points finishers. Any ties for the final spot will be invited, provide the total does not exceed 20% + 2. Entry (green) fees will be paid by the Association up to a maximum of $150 for the two (2) day tournament. Prize money, skins, and lodging are to be paid by each participating Club Championship golfer.
Sec. 3 The winner of the Club Championship will be presented with the perpetual trophy for one year, as well as a personal plaque. The winner will also be entitled to represent the Association at the SCGA Club Championship in December and entry fee paid by the Association.
Sec. 4 The defending Club Champion will be invited to return to defend his/her title only if they have attended a minimum of five (5) tournament in the following season. Their participation at the Club Championship will be as a guest of the Association.
ARTICLE VII: BEAR POINTS
Sec. 1. Each member participating in tournaments shall be awarded Bear Points for their play and skill. This system was developed by Buster “The Bear” Dubrock and is named for him in his honor.
Sec. 2 Points will be awarded at each Association tournament in the following manner:
- Each player participating shall receive 2 points.
- First place (net and gross) in each flight shall receive and additional 8 points.
- Second place low net in each flight shall receive 6 additional points.
- Third place low net in each flight shall receive 4 additional points.
- Fourth low net in each flight shall receive an additional 2 points.
- In the event of a tie, each player shall receive the same points for their flight net score. However, the prize monies will be distributed in a playoff manner.
- Playoff for prize monies will be determined by comparing the total of the last 9 holes, total last 6 holes, total last 3 holes and the by #1 through #18 handicap until a winner is determined. The Tournament Chairman will have the final determination in any disputes.
- The Tournament Chairman shall tabulate the Bear Points at the end of each tournament and keep a cumulative total of all members’ points.
- Each member participating in the Desert Scramble shall receive a total of 5 points for the two (2) day event.
- Members participating in the Match Play events shall receive 2 points for each completed match.
- All Bear Points shall expire at the end of each calendar year.
Sec. 3 The member with the most Bear Points at the end of each year will be crowned Bear Champion for the Association and shall receive a $50 gift card and personal plaque.
ARTICLE VIII: SPECIAL AWARDS
Any Association member making a “Hole in One” during a monthly tournament or the Club Championship shall be awarded Five (5) Hundred Dollars.
ARTICLE VIX: REMOVAL OF MEMBER
Any member who fails to respect the value or the spirit of the rules of golf and/or brings disfavor upon the Association shall receive notice from the Board of possible disciplinary action. The member will receive a written notice from the President of the infraction and will be allowed 30 days to respond to the Board before any action is taken against the member, which could be a verbal notice to correct the action or up to and including removal of membership to the Association with notification to SCGA.
ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
In the event that the Association be unable to continue with its function as a golf Association, with all Board of Directors positions filled and functioning as per these By Laws, the Association may be disbanded, and cease and desist all operations. A notice of intent to disband and discontinue shall be provided to all current members, with each member permitted to vote on the matter. Quorum requirements for Board and Directors and membership voting shall apply as detailed in these Bylaws. After fulfilling all expenses and liabilities of the Association, all remaining money in the Association accounts shall be combined and donated to a qualified charitable cause. Written notification shall be made to all members as to the final disposition of assets of the Association.
ARTICLE XI: BYLAW AMENDMENTS
The Board of Directors shall have the power to repeal, amend and/or add any By Laws, provided that any action shall not be effective until approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, at a meeting held in accordance with the procedures contained within these Bylaws. Any Bylaw changes or amendments pertaining to membership requirements, Board of Directors positions, voting, and dissolution, require a full membership vote prior to taking effect.
Adopted as written on this date: January 29, 2024 Signatures on hard copy in the Secretary Files.
_________________________________ ________________________________
Tom Connors Rodd Kliner
President Vice President
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Chris Leonard Jeff Clark
Secretary Treasurer/Membership
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Neil Graf Bob Mapstead
Handicap Chairman Tournament Director
APPENDIX A: POLICIES and PROCEDURES for HANDICAPPING
The handicap committee within this Association is responsible for all aspects of the USGA Handicap System, including the computation of each member’s Handicap Index. The committee is responsible to verify that all acceptable scores are reported for handicap purposes. All recorded scores will be made available for peer review and random score card audit will be performed.
Handicap Committee Members are: Handicap Chairman (Chair), President, Vice President and Tournament Chairman.
The committee will ensure compliance with the USGA Handicap System, including peer review, handicap adjustment or penalties.
The Handicap Committee has set forth the following policies and procedures for all members using the USGA Handicap System.
- Post all acceptable rounds (9 or 18 holes) on same day as played or within a reasonable time.
- Use GHIN hole by hole posting for all rounds of Ten (10) holes or more.
Disciplinary Actions for failure to post a score or manipulate a player handicap index:
- First violation will result in verbal warning.
- Second violation will result in written notice.
- Third violation will result in penalty round or handicap adjustment to players handicap index.
- After fourth violation further disciplinary action will be taken as the Handicap Chair and committee deems necessary and appropriate.
A player must earn a Handicap Index. No player has an inherent right to a Handicap Index without providing full evidence to our golf club’s Handicap Committee. The Handicap Committee has the ultimate authority and obligation to adjust a Handicap Index, as it feels necessary to do so.
Please address any question or concerns to the Handicap Chairmen.
APPENDEX B: LOCAL RULES
USGA Rule shall govern all Association play and tournaments unless:
- Local rules from the Course being played shall be used as noted on back of course scorecard.
- The Association may adopt their own local rules. Notification shall be made to the members via tournament notifications prior to commencement of play. Standing local rules will be posted on the Association’s website.
APPENDIX C: ADDITIONAL TOURNAMENTS
The Board shall have the discretion of creating additional participation play tournaments and award Bear Points. Examples are: Match Play and Desert Scramble