Bi-Laws & Local Rules

The name of this organization is the FOX HILLS MEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION. The purpose of this association shall be to promote good fellowship and an interest in golf. The Association shall conduct business according to these by-laws. Amendments shall be by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, presented to the membership at either the spring meeting or the awards banquet. Any amendment shall be deemed passed unless 2/3 of the membership present vote to overturn the Board's decision.

All men interested in golf may become members of the Fox Hills Men's Golf Association. A minimum age of a player to qualify as an association member shall be sixteen (16).

Sponsor fees and individual league dues will be set by the Board of Directors before the beginning of each season and are to be collected by the Secretary/Treasurer. Dues shall be used to defray expenses of prizes, dinner, and any other expenses incurred for the benefit of the association. Dues must be paid before the beginning of league play. Forfeiture of player points (retroactive to week 1) if not paid by June 1st. New players must pay their dues on the 1st night of play.

The Board of Directors shall be comprised of seven elected positions: President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Handicap Chairman, and three Board of Directors, along with the Club Pro. The term of office shall be one (1) year. Election of officers for the following year will be held at the awards banquet. Nominations will be allowed from the floor. If there are two nominees for a position, a secret ballot shall determine the winner. A minimum of two members appointed by the President shall count the ballots.

The President shall call and conduct meetings, appoint committees, post notices of meetings and coming events, and can issue checks on the organization's bank account. The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of all meetings, collect all dues and monies, maintain a bank account, issue checks, and prepare an annual financial statement — receiving a stipend determined by the board. The Handicap Chairman is responsible for handicaps, scoring, posting of league standings, and weekly newspaper reports — also receiving a stipend determined by the board.

Handicaps will be computed using the low 5 of last 7 scores: 1 round = 80%, 2 rounds = 80%, 3 rounds = 90%, 4 rounds = 90%, 5 rounds = average of all. Handicaps may be transferred from another course if certified by the Club Pro or Handicap Chairman. A new player without a USGA handicap will receive a handicap based on 80% of the difference between his score and par. Maximum of 18 strokes allowed for 9 holes of play. Teams may play substitutes from another team on a league night. Team rosters are limited to 10 players. Only players listed on the team roster will be allowed to play during the final three weeks of the season.

The scoring system shall consist of 40 points per match. One point shall be awarded to the player who wins the hole, with a maximum of 9 points. Ties earn each player ½ point. An additional 4 points are awarded to the team with low net. Pairings should be according to handicap. If a player fails to show and has no sub, the opposing player is awarded 6 points and the team receives the 4 low net points. Points awarded for a team forfeit: 6 points per man (24 total), opponent receives 0. Submitted score sheets will be correct and final.

The season will run consecutive weeks beginning the first full week of May. Tee time is 5:15 p.m. with a Shotgun Start. The final week may be a position round. Weather cancellations will be made as soon as possible. If any portion of the league is unable to finish their nine holes due to weather, the entire league will be considered rained out.

The league playoffs will be held after the completion of the league schedule. The 1st and 2nd place teams from each league night qualify (6 teams total), plus 2 wildcard teams determined by highest point average. Seeding: 1st place teams claim seeds 1–3; 2nd place teams claim seeds 4–6; wildcards claim seeds 7 and 8. Pairings: #1 vs #8, #2 vs #7, #3 vs #6, #4 vs #5. Only players listed on the team roster are eligible for the playoffs. Scorecard tiebreaker: use the 1st, 5th, and 9th handicapped holes; if still tied, continue one hole at a time. Final league handicaps will be used throughout the playoffs.

The league shall consist of four-man teams with a roster not to exceed 10. USGA golf rules apply. The Rules and Regulations Committee (President, Handicap Chairman, and Club Pro) shall resolve all disputes — their decision is final and unappealable. Winter rules apply in the fairway and rough (move ball 6 inches to either side or away from the hole). Play it as it lies in hazards, mounds, waste areas (blue staked), and sand traps. If a sand trap is unplayable, move to a playable area no closer to the hole within the sand trap. Giving putts: teams may give putts — a good rule of thumb is if the ball is inside the leather of the putter. Players shall play from the White Course. Players who reach age 65 prior to August 31 of the current season may play from the Gold Course. A player may not change tees during the season. Teams must start on their scheduled hole — backing up to a different hole is not permissible.