Rules & Regulations

1. The name

The name of the Club is Thonock Park.

2. Proprietary Club

The Club is a proprietary club – the sole owner and manager being Ping Europe Ltd. (the Proprietor).

3. Rules of the Club

Must be read in conjunction with the Members’ Constitution. The constitution may only be amended at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) by a majority vote; the Club rules may be amended from time to time as determined by the Proprietor. Such amendments will be provided in writing to the chairperson of the Club Committee, giving two weeks’ notice of any changes.

4. Opening Hours

1. From 7.30am, the Club shall be open for the full duration, as governed by daylight hours, and prepared to receive members; these hours may be lengthened or shortened as may be determined by the Proprietor.
2. The Club shall be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
3. The Proprietor may, at their discretion, close one or both courses for a maximum of two weeks per annum, should this be required to stage a golf tournament.

5. Liability

1. The member is financially liable to the Club in the form of annual fees in accordance with the category of membership required.
2. Neither the Proprietor nor the Club shall be responsible for damage, injury or loss occurring at the Club as a result of an act or omission of any member or visitor to the Club. A member or visitor shall indemnify the Proprietor and Club against any such liability.
3. Any member or visitor who makes use of, or accepts use of, any facility or service at the Club shall do so at their own risk, provided the Proprietor is not proved negligent in its provision.
4. The Proprietor shall have no responsibility or liability to any member or visitor for any items brought onto the property. Any item of lost property unclaimed for a period greater than three months may be disposed of by the Proprietor.
5. The Proprietor cannot be held responsible for any loss of play due to inclement weather resulting in course closure.

6. Club Membership

1. All categories, entitlements and subscription rates will be set by the Proprietor and may be subject to change on an annual basis.
2. In August each year, the Proprietor shall post all subscription renewals to the membership, for payment by 1st September. The Proprietor may terminate the membership of any person who fails to pay their subscriptions by 1st October.
3. All members receive a membership card and are governed by the card terms and conditions.
4. All members shall keep the Proprietor up-to-date with any changes in personal details, including address, telephone numbers, email etc. All changes shall be provided in writing.
5. Existing categories include:
   1. FULL MEMBERSHIP: A full member may play golf at all permitted times, seven days a week. In addition, he/she shall have full use of all Clubhouse facilities during the opening hours and the ability to enter all competitions for which they are eligible and purchase tickets to social events.
   2. MIDWEEK MEMBERSHIP: A midweek member may play golf at all permitted times during the week, including statutory bank holidays, and will have full use of the Clubhouse facilities seven days a week. He/she may enter midweek competitions, subject to eligibility and the terms and conditions as laid down by the men’s and ladies’ competition committees. Midweek members may not represent the club in any team matches. They may purchase tickets for social events during the week and at weekends.
   3. CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP: A limited number of corporate memberships will be available and they will be tailored to meet the needs of interested companies. Only nominated cardholders will have the ability to enter Club competitions on payment of the relevant union fee. Nominated cardholders shall be full members.
   4. JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP: A junior member must be under 18 at the start of the membership year. They have full access to all Clubhouse facilities (subject to licensing laws) and can play in most Club competitions as governed by the management committee
   5. JOINT MEMBER: The joint category is available to a husband and wife or partners living in the same household. The subscription shall be the aggregate of the individual rates less a small discount. In addition, the Proprietor reserves the right to assess joining fees relevant to the household at an appropriate rate. All rights of membership remain as the individual entitlements.
   6. INTERMEDIATE: The intermediate category shall allow full seven-day use of all golf and Clubhouse facilities and is provided to enable the sole purpose of an easier financial transition from junior to full or five-day member. There may be two or three fee levels within this category.
   7. COUNTRY: The country category is available to persons whose permanent residence is 50 miles or further from the club. They may enter regular competitions, subject to eligibility and the terms and conditions as laid down by the men’s and ladies competition committees. Country members may not enter honour board competitions.
   8. SOCIAL MEMBER: A social member shall have full use of all Clubhouse facilities on payment of the appropriate subscription. The Club shall offer an individual and joint social membership. Social members shall receive a copy of the social events calendar and be able to attend all social events.
   9. The Proprietor may introduce additional membership types, as it determines appropriate in the market.

7. New Members

1. New members can be accepted into the Club under one of the following criteria:
   1. A candidate to be proposed and seconded by existing members of the Club with at least one years’ membership. The proposer and seconder shall vouch for the candidate’s suitability for membership.
   2. A letter of recommendation from a previous Club, along with a handicap certificate and/or reference as to their suitability to become a member.
   3. Introduction from the Professional, having received lessons and recognition that they are suitable to become a member.
2. Every month, the sectional Captains will be informed of all new members.
3. The Proprietor shall make the final decision in relation to the appointment of all new members.
4. New members shall become active upon clearance of the appropriate entrance fee and annual subscription.
5. All new members agree to be bound by the Club Constitution and Rules and Regulations of the Club and agree to attend a new member meeting when notified.

8. Resignation

All members intending to resign their membership shall do so in writing, notifying the Proprietor prior to membership renewal. Should a member return within two years, at the discretion of the Proprietor, he/she may do so without payment of a second entrance fee.

9. Suspension

1. Any member who is in material or persistent breach of the Constitution or Club Rules and Regulations shall be liable to have all their rights of membership suspended by the Proprietor for such time it considers appropriate. The Proprietor will inform the Club committee in advance of any action to be taken.
2. In the event of a continual breach of competition rules or inappropriate behaviour during Club competitions, or whilst representing the Club, the Club Committee may suspend any member for a period of time from these events, subject to prior approval from the Proprietor.
3. Whilst suspended, a member shall remain liable for payment of all dues.
4. Appeal – The member shall have the right of representation and explanation to the Proprietor prior to any imposed suspension.

10. Expulsion

1. The Proprietor may expel from the Club any member whose conduct, in the opinion of the Proprietor, is injurious to the character and interests of the Club, or renders the member unfit to be associated with members of the Club. If the Club Committee so requires in relation to any member, the Proprietor shall investigate behaviour of that member and consider whether that member shall be expelled from the Club.
2. An expelled member shall forfeit all rights of the membership category and a proportion of the remaining term of subscription shall be refunded. The joining fee paid will not be refunded.
3. A member is entitled to a hearing to any expulsion.

11. Members’ Guests

1. Members may sign in up to three guests per tee time, subject to payment of the appropriate green fee prior to the commencement of the round. The guest register is maintained in the professional shop.
2. No one person may be signed in as a guest on more than six occasions per annum.
3. A member whose guest plays without payment of a green fee on the day shall be reprimanded and the guest shall be barred for a period of time.
4. Members’ guest rates shall be set by the Proprietor and subject to change on an annual basis.

12. Green Fees and Group Events

1. Paying visitors will be allowed to play both midweek and weekends, provided the Proprietor makes one course available at all times for members to play. Exceptional circumstances may mean this is not possible from time to time.
2. Any person playing without payment of the appropriate fee will be banned from any future visits to the Club.
3. Green fee payers and group events will be notified in advance of the standards of dress and etiquette. All visitors will be expected to adhere to the Rules and Regulations of the Club.

13. Buggies, Electronic and Pull Trolleys

1. These are permitted for use but may be banned from time to time in accordance with the assessment of ground conditions and the guidelines set out by the Proprietor.
2. Use of buggies and trolleys during inclement conditions shall be decided by the Course Manager in the first instance, his assistant in his absence, or in both their absence, the Proprietor’s representative.

14. Rules of Golf, Dress and Etiquette

1. The rules of the game of golf adopted from time to time by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews shall apply to play at the Club.
2. The Proprietor shall set the standards of dress and etiquette for the course and clubhouse.
3. A Course Marshall may be on duty and will be granted the responsibility to monitor slow play, dress and etiquette standards. All members and visitors shall respect the Course Marshall’s decision and react accordingly.

15. Tee Bookings

1. Members may book 8 days in advance, throughout the year
2. Members are not permitted to book both courses at the same time (just in case one course is closed)
3. If the course is closed due to weather problems, those affected tee times will be cancelled.
4. If your tee time is cancelled, you are permitted to rebook, subject to availability, or if the grouping allows, the pro shop will manage people starting on the 10th ONLY when the 9th hole is clear.
5. All players MUST be added to the booking at least 24 hours in advance of the tee times
6. All golfers must check-in on arrival
7. Any tee times reserved for sectional competitions must be condensed where possible and unused tee times released in plenty of time to allow other members to book and play