Richmond Golf Club Membership Code of Conduct

Posted on: 2 May

Richmond Golf Club’s Membership Code of Conduct applies to all members and guests of RGC.

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to guide the behaviours and expectations of members and guests who:

  • Use the golf and clubhouse facilities at RGC, at any time of the day or night
  • Represent RGC in any capacity at another associated venue, or at a host golf club
  • Travel to and from a host golf club, or on any qualifying or practice day

All members and guests must always adhere to commonly accepted standards of golfing etiquette and sportsmanship, as well as the Rules of Golf. In order to ensure proper standards of behaviour during a competition and in the clubs’ facilities, any member or guest who commits an offence under this Code, will be accountable and may face disciplinary proceedings. This Code of Conduct is not intended to create a bureaucratic, regulatory environment, but rather to promote and enhance the club’s values. It is in the best interests of the game that inappropriate behaviour is reported, and all members and guests are encouraged (and have a duty) to report such behaviour.

  1. DEFINITIONS

The term ‘Board’ refers to the Board of Directors of the Richmond Club Limited.

 The term ‘GMC’ refers to the Golf Management Committee of the Richmond Golf Club, consisting of six appointed members, which includes one representative each from the Vets and Ladies Committees.

  1. CODE OF CONDUCT

To ensure high standards of behaviour within the RGC premises and during competition and social golf on the course, any person who is found to have breached the Code of Conduct will face disciplinary proceedings by the GMC and may be asked to appear before the Richmond Club Limited, Board of Directors.

Member and guest behaviour is always subject to the Liquor Licensing Act 1992.  Penalties imposed under this act are not subject to disciplinary procedure or appeal procedure but governed by state law.

 Members are responsible for the behaviour of their guests.

Each player must adhere to commonly accepted standards of golfing etiquette and sportsmanship.

  1. Fill in divots and repair pitch marks
  2. Avoid engaging in slow play
  3. Adhere to local rules of the day, including directions for use of carts
  4. Wear appropriate golf attire, per the local dress code.
  5. Respect the rights of other golfers and golf course staff. Golf course staff have right of way when actively engaged in work on the course-patrons are requested to not play their ball if there is any risk to staff or equipment.
  6. Mobile phones to be placed on silent whilst playing golf (except in emergencies).

Members and Guests are expected, under this Code of Conduct to:

  1. Respect RGC staff and each other
  2. Recognise and respect a culturally diverse community and at no time is a person to be abused physically or verbally based on their race and or ethnicity.
  3. Members or guests must refrain from using audible obscenities on the course, in the clubhouse or anywhere else across the site
  4. Respect RGC property and facilities
  5. Comply with official policies, directions or instructions by management and employees of RGC
  6. Abide by the NEW Rules of Golf, RGC local rules and all other conditions of play
  1. REPORTING A BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

A complaint about the conduct of a member or guest may be made in the first instance, within 3 days of the offence, to the Club Captain, OR, a member of the GMC or Pro Shop Staff, who will in turn advise the Club Captain.

The complainant must forward the complaint, including the names of any witnesses, in writing, to the Club Captain within an acceptable time frame.

Once the complaint is received, the Club Captain will determine the grade of the offence, in accordance with Grading of Conduct Guidelines.

All complaints about a breach of the Code of Conduct are to be graded 1 to 3 with 1 being the less serious and 3 being the most serious. The Club Captain is required to grade the offence which will then determine the consequences which may lead to disciplinary proceedings. On rare occasions, the Club Captain may not recommend a grading because of the seriousness of the incident and may refer the breach directly to the Board (with appropriate documentation) for determination and disciplinary action.

Grading of Conduct

The list of offences that are relevant under this Code are graded as follows:

Grade 1

  • Behaves in a manner detrimental to the good name and reputation of RGC
  • Obscene language
  • Inappropriate expressions of anger and abusive language
  • Improper treatment of golf equipment, including throwing, breaking of clubs and damage to the course
  • Deliberately throwing bottles, cans, bottle tops and other rubbish on the golf course
  • Failure to complete a round when representing the club (except in emergencies)
  • Inappropriate use of mobile phones (except in emergencies).
  • Any other offence not specifically defined in this Grade of Conduct which the GMC deems to be an offence of similar gravity

Grade 2:

  • Deliberately breaking a Rule (as defined in the Rules of Golf)
  • Deliberately returning a false score card
  • Failing or refusing to co-operate with, or obstructing, any investigation by the GMC
  • Failing or refusing to co-operate with, or obstructing, a hearing by the GMC
  • Urinating in public
  • Removing or damaging property belonging to another member or guest
  • Damaging any part of RGC golf equipment, including the course signs, markers and club house furnishings or fittings.
  • Excessive and offensive obscene language
  • Verbal abuse and or threatening behaviour to others
  • Having over consumed alcohol and been refused service as per the Liquor Act
  • Any other offence not specifically defined in this Grade of Conduct which the GMC deems to be of similar gravity

Grade 3:

  • Physically or verbally attacking or abusing, in any way, a member, staff member or guest
  • Use of illicit drugs on the course or club premises
  • Theft
  • Sexual harassment of any kind, including any action, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation
  • Racially vilifies any member or guest
  • Any other offence not specifically defined in this Grade of Conduct which the GMC deems to be of similar gravity
  1. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
  1. The Club Captain is notified in writing by the complainant, about whom the complaint is made, the nature of the complaint and any witnesses.
  2. The Club Captain, in consultation with the Board, will notify (in writing) the person about whom the complaint has been made, that a complaint has been lodged and when and if appropriate, they’ll be given a copy of the complaint.
  3. The Club Captain is authorised by the Board to investigate the complaint. One member of the GMC is appointed as Convenor (in most cases the Club Captain).
  4. The Board will be advised as to the category of conduct under which the complaint will be investigated.
  5. The Convenor will organise interviews with all parties and witnesses as appropriate.
  6. The GMC will determine the grading of the conduct and make a recommendation to the Board as to the type of disciplinary action, if any, that should be taken. Consideration is to be given to any disciplinary action taken by the GMC and Board in the case of any previous infringement.
  7. The Board, when required, will decide on the type of consequence and disciplinary action.
  8. The Convenor, on behalf of the GMC and Board will notify the member in writing of the decision of the Board of Directors. The right of appeal and the procedure for appeal must be included.
  1. RIGHT OF APPEAL PROCEDURE
  1. The accused member must notify the Convenor of their intention to appeal a decision in writing and the Convenor shall inform the Board of the appeal.  
  2. The written appeal request must be received by the Convenor no later than 14 days after the date of the letter notifying the member of the Boards decision about the appeal.
  3. The Convenor will organise interviews with all parties and witnesses, if required.
  4. The Convenor will investigate (on behalf of the Board) and review all the evidence considered during the initial investigation, as well as any new evidence.
  5. The Convenor will then determine the validity of the appeal and make a recommendation to the Board.
  6. The Board will then consider the recommendation submitted by the Convenor and either ratify the original decision or implement an alternative action. This alternative action is at the sole discretion of the Board.
  7. The Convenor and the Board will resolve the appeal no late than 28 days after receiving the request to appeal by issuing a letter informing the member of their appeal outcome. This letter must state that there is no further right of appeal once the original appeal has been heard and resolved.

 

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