Code of Conduct

Brisbane District Golf Association Inc By-laws

The Management Committee of Brisbane District Golf Association Inc. (in these By-Laws called ‘the Association’), in pursuance of the powers conferred by Rule 24 of the Association’s Rules, makes the following By-Laws:

1 CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. This code of conduct applies to all players, caddies and officials participating in golf events under the control and regulation of the Association.
  2. All persons covered by this code of conduct must adhere to standards of golfing etiquette and sportsmanship specified in the Rules of Golf or commonly accepted by the Member Clubs.
  3. Breaches of this code of conduct may result in disciplinary proceedings being brought under this code.
  4. Persons to whom this code applies must:
    1. strive to maintain the good name and reputation of their golf clubs and other bodies administering golf;
    2. comply with the Rules of Golf including golf etiquette;
    3. wear the team uniform if required;
    4. if required, provide a medical certificate as to their physical or mental fitness to participate in a golf event;
    5. comply with the requirements of the Doping Policy of Australian Golf Union Inc.;
    6. abstain from consuming alcoholic liquor during a stipulated round of golf;
    7. comply with the Rules and By-Laws of the host club and of the Association;
    8. refrain from using threatening, abusive, profane, or insulting language or gestures to another person during a golf event;
    9. refrain from committing golf equipment abuse.

2 BREACHES OF THIS CODE OF CONDUCT – HOW DEALT WITH

  1. Alleged breaches of this Code of Conduct are to be reported to and investigated by the Match Committee of the golf event.
  2. The Match Committee may, after investigating a complaint, call upon the alleged offender to show cause why the alleged offender should not be dealt with under the provisions of this code of conduct, or refer the alleged complaint to the BDGA Management Committee for subsequent action.
  3. A report received at a date following the completion of an event is to be dealt with by the BDGA Management Committee.
  4. When an alleged breach is to be dealt with by the Management Committee of the BDGA, a Conduct Committee of three (3) persons shall be appointed by the Management Committee to hear the alleged complaint.
  5. The alleged offender:
    1. Is to be given adequate notice of the date, time and place of any hearing, including any adjourned hearing.
    2. is entitled to appear in person or be represented by a solicitor or agent.
    3. Is to be given full particulars of the alleged breach including the date, time and place of the alleged breach(s).
  6. The Conduct Committee shall hear the complainant and testimony of the alleged offender and that of witnesses in support of the complainant and that of any witnesses that the alleged offender wishes to call.
  7. The conduct committee must consider all the evidence adduced and determine the matter. A finding that a person has breached this code of conduct or otherwise is to be made by at least a majority of the committee.
  8. All hearings are to be conducted by way of an open hearing.

3 PENALTIES

  1. Where a person admits to a breach of this code of conduct or is found to have breached this code of conduct the Match Committee of the event may make any one of the following orders:
    1. a reprimand and/or impose penalties as stated in the rules of golf.
    2. refer the matter to the Management Committee of the BDGA.
  2. The Conduct Committee may impose any one or more of the following penalties;
    1. recommend to the person’s home club that his membership be suspended for a period.
    2. suspend the person from all BDGA competitions for a period of time.
    3. recommend that the person’s handicap be suspended for a period of time.
    4. a reprimand and/or impose penalties as stated in the rules of golf.
  3. The Association must notify details of the breach, the findings and any penalty imposed to the Manager of the person’s home club and to Queensland Golf Union Inc.

4 APPEALS

  1. A party to proceedings who is aggrieved by the decision of any of the appointed committees may lodge notice of appeal against the decision with the Management Committee of the Association. Such notice shall be in writing and lodged with the Secretary of the Association within 7 days after the date on which the party is notified of the decision appealed against.
  2. The hearing of an appeal shall be by way of a rehearing on the evidence presented to the Conduct Committee and on any other relevant evidence presented at the appeal. Where the finding against the aggrieved party was made by a Conduct Committee appointed by the Management Committee of the BDGA to hear the alleged complaint, none of the persons appointed to that committee shall hear the appeal.
  3. The appellant
    1. Is to be given adequate notice of the date, time and place of the hearing,
    2. is entitled to appear in person or be represented by a solicitor or agent.
  4. The Appeals Committee may rescind, affirm or vary a decision as it considers fit, and the Appeals Committee’s decision is final.