Central Texas Golf Association Bylaws 2012

Annual Membership Dues

As with any golf league, all CTGA members pay annual dues when joining. Our 2012 Membership Dues are $60.00, prorated to $35.00 for members joining after May 31st. Dues are payable at the Members’ first tournament after the annual CTGA Classic, unless special arrangements are made with the CTGA Finance Director. Although a small portion of each member’s dues is used for administrative costs, most remains in our General Fund to help supplement our annual Fall Classic.

CTGA Fall Classic

The annual CTGA Fall Classic is open to all CTGA Members and invited Guests. To compete in the Fall Classic with full CTGA handicaps, members must play in a specified number of tournaments determined by their initial start date with CTGA. Refer to our Classic Handicap Adjustment Table for specific requirements. This applies to our Classic Medal Play and 2-Player Team competitions. Our 2011 Classic participation counts toward the number of 2012 tournaments played.

A general meeting will be held at the conclusion of Saturday’s Classic round to discuss and vote on policy and procedure improvements and to elect next year Board of Directors.

Establishing Handicaps

1. USGA/GHIN Handicap Transfer to CTGA: New Member submits a current, established USGA/GHIN handicap or other verifiable handicap from a golf association or club. This handicap, after approval by CTGA Handicap Director, will allow the new Member to compete, with no restrictions, in all CTGA tournament competition player pools (including Individual and Team formats), FedEx Cup competition and Trash competitions (Close-To-Pin, Skins, and Deuces) beginning with his/her first CTGA tournament.

   Establishing the New Member's Handicap:

   1. Seven (7) scores equal to the new Member’s approved USGA/GHIN handicap index are entered into the CTGA Handicap Manager (HM) System, using Roy Kizer Blue (for men) and Roy Kizer Red (for ladies) course rating as our Home Course, to calculate a provisional starting handicap for CTGA;
   2. These scores and the New Member’s initial CTGA tournament rounds will be used to determine the calculation of up-to-date CTGA handicaps as follows:
      1. Combination of the 1st CTGA tournament scores and 6 provisional scores (1 provisional score (PS) will be dropped prior to recalculating new handicap;
      2. With each continuing CTGA event played, one PS will be dropped and the new member’s handicap will be calculated using a total of 7 scores (CTGA tournament scores plus PS);
      3. This procedure continues until the new member completes his/her seventh (7^th) CTGA tournament.  From this point, the member’s CTGA handicap will be determined using CTGA tournament scores only.
          
2. Self-Identifying Handicap: New Members who do not have established USGA/GHIN handicaps will self-declare a provisional handicap, based on their average 18 hole scores, using the Self-Handicapping Chart and submit that handicap to the CTGA Tournament Director. This handicap, after approval by CTGA Handicap Director for approval.  This handicap will allow the New Member to compete in all CTGA tournament player pools, Close-To- Pin, and our optional Skins and Deuces competitions and eligible for all Player Pool payout beginning with their first CTGA tournament, as defined below:
   1. In all Individual Format tournaments, Player Pool payout will be limited to 50% of the stated payout for each Place within each Flight until three (3) CTGA event scores have been entered in our Handicap database;
   2. In all Team Format tournaments, Player Pool payout will be the same as for all current CTGA
      Members.

   Establishing the New Member’s Self-Declared Handicap:

   1. Same procedure as A 1-2 above will be used to calculate Self-Declared handicaps.

Inactive CTGA Members or past Members returning to CTGA who have not participated in CTGA tournaments within the past 10 months must re-establish new CTGA handicaps using either of the two methods above.

Note: If a new or returning Member has a current, established USGA/GHIN handicap, this handicap takes precedence and must be submitted to establish a CTGA provisional handicap.

 

Starting Time and Entry Fee Payment

All CTGA Members and Guests are required to be at the course and ready to play at least 30 minutes prior to their start time. Starting times and changing of individual player 4-somes on tournament day may be made with CTGA Director approval only.

Payment of all entry fees will be made to the CTGA Finance Director or designee at the course on tournament day. Prepay of tournament fees are not required in CTGA events.

1. At the discretion of the Finance Director or collector designate, tournament fees will be collected up to 25 minutes prior to the collector's tee time and/or after completion of play;
2. It is each Member’s responsibility to ensure his/her fees and accompanying Guest (if applicable) fees are paid on tournament day;
3. Entry fee for all CTGA tournaments are listed on the approved 2011 CTGA tournament schedule. If a tournament fee adjustment is required due to change of venue or changes by the golf course, it will be announced by the Tournament Director prior to that event.
4. If a tournament is cancelled due to inclement weather, paid fees will be refunded at the course or applied to Members' personal account;
5. Fees for our optional Skins and Deuces competitions will be charged to Members and Guests unless they verbally “opt out” of these competitions prior to start of play.
6. Members who leave the course without paying tournament fees and/or discussing arrangements to pay fees with Director in charge will be subject to a $5.00 late fee.

Guests

CTGA welcomes invited Guests to play in any CTGA scheduled tournament. All Guests shall understand and accept the competition eligibility, limitation, Rules of Play, event guidelines and Player Pool/Trash tournament fees as specified within these CTGA By-Laws, including:

1. All applicable tournament fees;
2. A $5.00 competition guest fee;
3. Guest(s) must provide handicap (USGA/GHIN or self-declared) when signing up;
4. Guests may compete in all CTGA Player Pool and Trash competitions a maximum of 2 events within a calendar year. Further participation within that calendar year will be as a non-participating Guest only.
5. Guests are eligible to compete in Individual Format Competition but winnings are limited to 50% of the stated amounts for each Place within each competition Flight. Three Guests may play in the same 4-some in an Individual tournament as long as accompanied by an active CTGA member;
6. Three Guests may play in the same 4-some in an Individual tournament as long as accompanied by an active CTGA member;
7. Guests are eligible to compete in Team Format Competition and winnings will be the same stated amounts as for CTGA Team members.;
8. Two Guests may not compete as a Team in a CTGA 2-Player Team tournament.  Two Guests may play in the same 4-some in a 2-Player Team tournament as long as each Guest teams with an active CTGA member.  Three Guests may play as part of a 4-Player Team when accompanied by an active CTGA member;
9. Guests are eligible for all CTGA Trash competitions, including Close-To-Pin, Skins and Deuces, at 100% of the winner share;
10. Guests are eligible for CTGA Hole-In-One prize at 50% of stated prize amount;
11. Guests may play in our Annual CTGA Classic but competition is limited to Trash competition only.
12. Guests are not eligible to compete in our FedEx Cup competition.

Rules of Play Clarifications, Protests and Disputes

1. CTGA Directors and/or golf course Professional shall reconcile all concerns regarding Rules of Play.
2. If a player is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, he may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls in accordance with Rule 3-3.
3. CTGA Directors will reconcile disputes and protests concerning scoring or eligibility. Protest of a handicap shall be reconciled prior to the Member(s) start of play on tournament day. The Directors' decision shall be final.
4. Protest of a handicap shall be reconciled prior to the Member(s) start of play on tournament day.  The Directors' decision shall be final.
    

Completing Scorecards

1. Individual and 2-Player Team Format Competition
   1. Players/Teams must exchange scorecards.
   2. If single scorecard is used for both Teams, a Marker is designated to record all scores.
2. 4-Player Team Competition
   1. A Marker is designated to record all scores;
3. All Formats
   1. 1. Each Player is responsible for accuracy of his hole-by-hole scores.
      1. A score recorded for any hole lower than actually taken will result in disqualified.
      2. A score recorded for any hole higher than actually taken shall stand.
      3. Incorrect hole-by-hole scores as stated above will likewise apply to Skins and Deuces.
   2. Once signed and turned in, that score becomes the score of record and is not subject to change.
   3. Failure to turn in a scorecard before leaving the event will result in disqualification.
   4. Only tournament gross scores are to be entered on official tournament scorecard.
   5. It is strongly recommended that all Players keep a separate, personal scorecard during the round to verify correctness of the “official” scorecard.

Although the Tournament Director or designee is responsible for the addition of final Individual and Team Gross and Net scores recorded on the scorecard for all competitors, Director in charge will not accept incomplete score cards in Individual Format tournaments and will “help” Teams complete their score cards in Team events.

Tournament Flights

The CTGA Tournament Director will determine the number of competition flights to be played in all events.

Individual format tournaments: The number of Flights per Individual Format events will be determined by the number of players in the field and handicap breakdown.

2-Player and 4-Player Team tournaments will have one or two Player Pool Flight, depending on the number of teams, and determined by Team handicaps.

Trash Flights will always have 2 Flights, determined by player handicaps. Exception will be the CTGA Classic where Trash Flights will be determined by the number of players entered.
 

Players Competing From Different Tees

With the exception of the FedEx Cup Finals, players within the same Player Pool Flights will not play from different Tees.

This does not apply to our Tournament Trash Competitions.
 

Player Pool Competition Ties

First place ties in tournament player pools shall be settled by scorecard play-off. The winner will be determined as follows:

1. Results of the last 9 holes, using applicable Back 9 handicap holes;
2. If still tied, results of the last 6 holes, using applicable Back 9 handicap holes;
3. If still tied, results of the last 3 holes, using applicable Back 9 handicap holes;
4. If still tied, results of the 18^th hole using applicable handicap hole;
5. If still tied, results beginning with the #1 handicap hole until a winner is determined;
6. Ties for all other places in each Player Pool Flight will be split equally;
7. 1st Place ties in our CTGA Classic will be determined by a sudden death playoff if the course and time permits.Otherwise, a scorecard playoff will determine the winner( s).

Trash Competitions

Three Trash competitions will be played at all CTGA tournaments, including Close-To-Pin, Skins and Deuces (see CTGA Website for Trash competition procedures). Close-To-Pin fee is included in the player’s Tournament Fee. Skins and Deuces are optional competitions with $5.00 entry fee each.

Two Trash Flights will be determined based on participating player handicaps with as close to a 50% balance as possible.

1. Close-To-Pin Competition: Each Trash Flight will compete for Close-To-Pin prizes on two (2) designated Par 3 holes. Player with closest 1st tee shot on the green wins that hole. Close-To-Pin prize per hole is $10.00. If no player hits the green, the prize money designated for that hole goes into the CTGA General Fund. Close-To-Pin entry fee is included in the tournament entry fee.

   NOTE: Failure to measure Close-To-Pin distance prior to abandoning exact position on the green will result in disqualification for Close-To-Pin on that hole.

2. Skins Competition: A Skins hole is won by the player whose gross score is the single lowest gross score on that hole within that Skins Flight. Two (2) or more players within the Flight tie with the same low gross score, no Skin is awarded. Skin prize amount will be determined by the number of players entered into Skins divided by the number of Skins won.
3. Deuces Competition: All players who record a natural 2 on their scorecard will share in that Flight’s Deuce Pot. The Deuce Pot is divided equally amongst the total number of gross Deuces recorded.
4. No Skins and/or Deuces won within a Trash Flight will result in a Carry-Over to the next tournament.
5. Players who did not play in events resulting in Skins or Deuces Carry-Over must buy into the Carry-Over Trash pots.
6. Fee for competing in Skins and Deuces in 2-Day tournaments is $10.00 each (5.00 for each day).

Fedex Cup Competition

The 2012 FedEx Cup is a season-long competition open to CTGA Members only. Players accumulate points based on their finish in CTGA Individual Format tournaments, followed by a year-end Elimination and Finals Playoff to determine our FedEx Cup Champion.

Detailed guidelines for our FedEx Cup competition can be found in Rules & Regulations.

Board of Directors

1. CTGA Board of Directors shall consist of 4 elected positions. 2012 Board of Directors include:
   • Tournament/Handicap Director: Eddie Nunez
   • Finance Director: Sean Nunez
   •  At Large Director: Jeff Jones
   • At Large Director: Kevin Lowe
2. The CTGA Board of Directors will govern all logistics of the CTGA organization in accordance with its 2012 Member approved By-Laws;
3. CTGA Board of Directors do not have the power to amend or change established CTGA By-Laws without member approval;
4. CTGA Board of Directors will oversee all tournaments and make general decisions on specific issues and processes at their discretion;
5. CTGA Board of Directors shall have a minimum of 4 Quarterly meetings to discuss organization issues, concerns, strategies, and new process implementation. BOD meetings dates will be announced and members are welcome to attend;
6. CTGA Board of Directors will preside in office for the fiscal tournament year (Classic to Classic);
7. CTGA Board of Directors will represent CTGA as a voting member of the City of Austin Golf Advisory Board;
8. CTGA Board of Directors may be reelected to serve multiple years.