The financial decisions of PDGMGC are guided by an annual budget, and the Club complies with the Association’s financial reporting requirements. These functions are supervised by the Treasurer as indicated in the Club By-Laws. The budget year runs from May 1 to April 30. By March 1 of each year the Treasurer consults with the President, Membership, and Tournament Chair(s) to develop a budget for the following year and presents such proposal to the Board no later than March 15. The Board reviews, amends if necessary, and approves the proposal no later than April 15.

The Treasurer submits a monthly financial summary to the Association and also oversees an outside audit of the PDGMGC books each May. When complete he submits the results with a letter of explanation to the Association to ensure compliance with current audit requirements.

All requests for expense reimbursement are accompanied by a signed Check Request form and receipts. All cash transactions require a Receipts and Deposit form signed by provider and receiver.

Adopted February 4, 2020

The PDGMGC is often requested to contribute cash or other items to various causes and events. Because we cannot contribute to all who ask, rather than appear as insensitive at least, or downright mean at most, the Club has established a policy to respond.

It shall be the policy of the Board to recognize categories of donation requesters, both from outside and from within the PDGCC community, and to budget accordingly. The recognized requesters shall include, but not be limited to, the annual PDG Charity Tournament, and the annual Employee Appreciation Day. All requests for donations will be brought before the Board for consideration.

Adopted March 4, 2014

Each May, in conjunction with the final tournament, the Club will make a donation to the PDG Flag Fund to honor the memory of members who have passed away during the previous season. The Board shall determine the amount of each annual donation. For 2014, the amount approved was $150.00.

Adopted May 6, 2014

The Club Bylaws require nominations for elected offices to be completed at the February membership meeting. Once a slate of candidates is determined, the President must call for a majority vote for uncontested positions and a vote by ballot for contested positions. The Bylaws do not specify a method for conducting these votes, but rather refer it to current policy.

Starting in election year 2022, any vote needed is to be conducted electronically through the Club’s membership email system and voting program, which incorporates the Bylaws’ required “identical unnumbered ballots.” The Election Committee consists of the Webmaster, Publicity Chair, and Membership Chair, since these three directors are familiar with the active membership roster and the Club mass email system.

If one or more of these directors is a candidate for office and thus ineligible for the Committee, the President appoints suitable replacements. The Election Committee is responsible for scheduling, publicizing, tabulating, and reporting election results, consistent with the requirements of the Bylaws.

The Bylaws reference for this policy statement is the 2020 Revision, Article V, Section 4.

Adopted February 1, 2022. Replaces former policy on elections dated April 1, 2014

The PDG MGC subscribes wholeheartedly to the principle that “ players are expected to play…by acting with integrity…showing consideration…taking good care of the course.” (Rule 1.2a The Rules of Golf, 2019)

Excessive profanity, club throwing, or other uncivil or offensive behavior has no place on the golf course, runs contrary to the spirit of the game, detracts from the enjoyment, and may be penalized under the same Rule. It shall be the policy of the Club to treat such incidents seriously, and the Board may take appropriate disciplinary action, especially if the breaches of etiquette are repeated.

Adopted Feb.4, 2014

Updated Rule reference Feb. 2, 2019

1. Men’s Golf Club members have priority for Sweeps tee times in both AM and PM Shotguns.
2. Non-members who wish to play, but not in the Sweeps, should check in with the Pro Shop for hole assignment, if available.
3. Players may submit ballots for tee times from
   Wednesday through Sunday 12 noon.
4. A random drawing will determine starting holes for up to 144 players in each Sweeps event, with any excess placed on standby. Starting holes are posted by Monday PM. Players selected who cannot play, AS A COURTESY TO OTHERS, please call to cancel ASAP at (760) 341-5877.

ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

Current entry fee (since April 2014) is $5.00. Of this amount,
during the regular season $4.00 is designated for payouts, and $1.00 is held by the Club’s general fund for member expenses such as the Welcome Back event. From May 1 to Opening Day, the full $5.00 is used for payouts.

Adopted March 4, 2014

Revised and Approved Jan. 3, 2017; Feb. 7, 2017; Nov. 6, 2018; Jan. 8, 2019; Nov. 5, 2019, Mar. 2, 2021

Introduction

The purpose of this Code is to assist members and guests of the Palm Desert Greens Men’s Golf Club (PDGMGC) to understand the standards of behavior expected of all. The Code sets out a disciplinary process and outlines to all members, guests and the PDG community how to make a complaint and how the process works.

The Code

All members of PDGMGC are expected to practice the basic values of sportsmanship, integrity, courtesy and respect toward fellow members, guests, staff, and the PDG community. PDGMGC honors these values and considers any behavior that violates them to be unacceptable. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

1. Bad temper, club throwing, foul or abusive language
2. Failure to adhere to the rules and etiquette of the game of golf
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary gamesmanship
4. Physical violence or threatening behavior
5. Damage to the golf course or facilities
6. Disregard, especially after a reminder, of PDG Regulations concerning dress, power carts, and the use and care of the golf course

Anyone engaging in these or any other detrimental behavior is in breach of the Code and should be reported to the Club Professional or to the PDGMGC President. It is in everyone’s best interest that such behavior is reported, and all members have that duty. Guests and other residents of PDG are encouraged to do so as well.

Disciplinary Committee

A Disciplinary Committee will oversee a complaints procedure, conduct inquiries, hold hearings, and impose penalties as necessary. The Committee will be made up of the PDGMGC President, Vice President, Rules Chairman, and PDG Club Professional, and will be responsible for implementing this procedure in a fair and impartial manner. The President will convene all parties and, while retaining general responsibility for the procedures of this Code, may designate a representative to perform any of his duties specified in it.

Complaints Procedure

A complaint may be made by any member, guest, staff, or member of the PDG community, directly to the Club Professional or to the President. Complaints should be made as soon as possible, but no later than two (2) days after the incident. Verbal complaints must be followed up in writing without delay, and forms to do so (Appendix 4) are available in the Golf Information Room. Once a complaint notice has been received, the Club Professional and the President will consider the offense and grade it according to Appendix 1. Extremely serious offenses may be referred directly to the Disciplinary Committee without a grade. The grades range from I (least serious) to III (most serious), and determine the action to be taken and potential penalty. Thus, consistency across offenses is essential, as is documentation to support the process. The President will ensure that records of all offenses are maintained and filed with the PDGMGC Secretary.

After a grade has been determined, the President, with reference to Appendix 2, will take the following actions:

A. For Grade I, of a minor nature, the President will discuss the matter with the subject and either dismiss the complaint or follow Step 1 (verbal warning) and the matter will be closed. For a second Grade I offense, the President will again discuss the matter with the subject and follow Step 2 (written warning.)

B. For Grade II or III, the President will carry out a preliminary inquiry and gather all the facts of the complaint reasonably available within seven (7) days from receipt of the complaint notice. The President will keep all parties informed about the process, which may include a discussion with and written report from the subject.

Disciplinary Committee Functions

The Committee will meet as required to perform the following:

1. Review complaint notices regarding Grade I offenses and ensure consistent application;
2. Consider all Grade II and III complaints;
3. Where necessary, conduct inquiries or hold a hearing on a complaint. Written notice of any hearing will be given to the subject of a complaint and to those bringing it. The notice of hearing will specify time and place, the person(s) filing the complaint, and will be accompanied by all relevant material. Hearings will be private and in person, with only the subject of a complaint and the Committee present. The Committee may receive legal advice it deems necessary. Any participant in a hearing will disclose any potential conflict of interest.

Decisions and Penalties

Whether a complaint is upheld or dismissed, the Committee will give its decision in writing, within in five (5) days, with reasons for the decision and any penalty imposed. The subject of a complaint may appeal a penalty of expulsion under the terms of the PDGMGC ByLaws detailed in Appendix 3. The Committee will deal severely with proven cases of serious misconduct. If the conduct is an infraction against the Palm Desert Greens Country Club Rules and Regulations, the matter should be referred to the Board of Directors of the Association. If it constitutes a criminal offense, the matter should be referred to law enforcement.

Appendix 1: Examples of conduct likely to be penalized

Grade I Offenses:

Profanity
Abuse of equipment, including club throwing
Minor damage to golf course or amenities; e.g. trees, greens, sand boxes
Ill-mannered behavior
Failure to complete a round in competition, except for illness or emergency
PDG dress code, power cart, or golf course use violations

Grade II Offenses:

Behavior damaging to the reputation of PDGMGC
Theft of minor items; e.g. practice balls, snacks
Excessive or offensive profanity
Verbal abuse, threatening, or menacing
Breaking clubs intentionally
Major damage to golf course or amenities
Repeated dress code, power cart, or golf course use violations

Grade III Offenses:

Serious misuse of alcohol or drugs on golf course or club premises
Theft of valuable items; e.g. golf clubs, cash
Assault or bodily harm
Sexual or verbal harassment
Willful disregard of directions from PDG staff regarding safety issues

Appendix 2: Actions of the Disciplinary Committee

Grade I Offense – one of the following steps will be taken:

1. Verbal warning with complaint notice on file
2. Written warning

Grade II and Grade III Offenses – one of the following steps will be taken:

No previous offense/ less serious current offense

1. Written warning
2. Suspension
3. Expulsion

For an offense considered more serious, or if there is recent previous history, an offense otherwise considered Grade II may be treated as Grade III. Step 1 will be taken only if the offense is less serious; otherwise a penalty of suspension is likely to be imposed.

Additional considerations for the actions of the Committee:

1. For all suspensions, the Committee will determine the period case by case.
2. Previous offenses will not be considered after a twelve (12) month period from the date of the last penalty.
3. Expulsion generally will be considered permanent, but an expelled member may apply for reinstatement after twelve (12) months. Said member would be expected to offer evidence of good faith and a valid reason to be considered for reinstatement. The Committee will determine the merits of any such application and their decision will be final.

Appendix 3: PDGMGC ByLaws Article 3, Section 3 (Termination)

“The Board of Directors shall have the power to reject an applicant’s request for membership or terminate the membership of a current member on the basis of character or unacceptable conduct. Any applicant or member thus terminated has the right to appeal his termination directly to the members at a membership meeting. After stating the appeal, the person shall leave the meeting and a vote will be taken and the decision of the majority of those present being binding.”

Appendix 4: PDG Men’s Golf CONDUCT REPORT

Use this form to report conduct in violation of the Code posted in Golf Info Room and on website pdgmgc.com. Please identify yourself; reports from anonymous sources cannot be considered. Submit to MGC President or Head Professional. Disciplinary Committee will review and follow procedures outlined in the Code. Thank you!

Adopted Mar. 5, 2019

The PDG Men’s Golf Club rewards a member’s Hole-in-One with either a bag tag or a trophy AND a share of the accumulated Cash Pool, which is funded with $5 from each member’s dues. The payout season runs from opening day in November to the closing date for overseeding in October. If the Handicap Committee determines that pre-overseed course conditions prevent posting scores, the payout season ends on that date. If there are multiple Holes-in-One during the payout season, the pool is split equally.

To be eligible for the awards, the member’s dues must be paid in full. The Hole-in-One must occur during the play of at least 18 holes at PDGCC, and must be witnessed and attested by at least one fellow player, who may be either a PDG resident or a fee-paying guest of the member. The scorecard must be submitted to the Pro Shop staff as soon as possible, with a copy to the Hole-in-One Chairman.

Adopted March 4, 2014

Revised and Approved Feb. 7, 2017, Nov. 30, 2021

The By-Laws of the PDG Men’s Golf Club require and empower two elected Members-at-Large “to serve as the membership representatives convey suggestions and comments to the Board.”(Art.IV, Sec.5,6)*. Thus, any concern, question, or suggestion from a member should be addressed to a Member-at-Large for the Board’s consideration.

It shall be the policy of the PDG MGC to address members’ issues primarily through the good services of the Members-at-Large whenever possible, but any Board Member may present a member issue for Board consideration. In addition, the Board may invite anyone to attend a Board Meeting, to act in an advisory capacity, to present an issue directly, or for any other purpose related to Board business.

Further, any member who wishes to attend a Board Meeting for a specific purpose may do so, provided he gives written notice to the President at least two days in advance. In this regard, email also shall be deemed written notice.

Adopted Feb. 4, 2014
*Language updated to be consistent with 2020 revised ByLaws.
Oct.5, 2021

The PDG MGC By-Laws provide an avenue, through the Members-at-Large, to stage social events, other than those traditionally accompanying tournaments. Events such as “Welcome Back,”, “Farewell”, and “Election” have proved to be of minimal value to the Club overall, given the disproportionate number of attendees compared to the total expense.

Accordingly, it shall be the policy of the Club to consider such events only when presented to the Board with a description of how costs will be shared between the Club and the attendees. Club funds are budgeted annually, and should not be expected for “spur of the moment” events. However, if an event is planned in advance and approved for an upcoming Club budget, it may be recognized as a line item for the planned expense.

Adopted Feb. 4, 2014

The PDG Men’s Golf Club Board makes every effort to spend each member dollar wisely and for the good of the Club as a whole. Proposed expenditures in excess of $500 for any single item will be brought to the membership for approval at the monthly general meetings.

Adopted Feb. 4, 2014

The Club Champion shall be determined by a 54-hole, stroke play tournament, which may provide for multiple flights. Championship Flight may be played at scratch.

The President’s Cup Winner shall be determined by an 18-hole handicap tournament, with multiple flights, at the Tournament Chairman’s discretion. Both gross and net prizes may be awarded.

REFUNDS OF TOURNAMENT FEES

The Tournament Chairman, with Board approval, shall decide whether to return any portion of a member’s entry fee, for emergency cancellation requests.

ALTERNATE TEES

The Tournament Chairman shall have discretion on whether and how to allow tournament players to compete from alternate tee boxes, such as “Course 3” and “Red-Gold Combo.”

FORMER GOLF PROFESSIONALS

Members who previously held positions as golf teachers or who played for prize money will be allowed to play in Club events if they have a current sanctioned handicap index. The Tournament Chairman may create a “Pro Flight” if necessary.

Adopted Feb. 4, 2014

Revised and Approved Jan. 3, 2017; Feb. 7, 2017

ELIGIBILITY: To qualify for the CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP tournament, a member must have participated in prior MGC events in the current season. This requirement is satisfied by either: A. at least five (5) regular Wednesday Sweeps; or B. at least two(2) monthly tournaments preceding the CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP; or C. one (1) monthly tournament and at least three (3) Sweeps. The requirement does not apply to first year members, and exceptions for others may be made for good reason, with the approval of the Board. This policy shall be effective with the 2022-2023 season.

ENTRY FEES: All entry fees will be paid by check only and no later than the tournament deadline as set by the Tournament Committee. Late entries will not be accepted other than to replace last minute cancellations. For the Presidents’ Cup Tournament (PCT), the entry fees for the current and past Presidents will be waived and are to be budgeted and paid as an expense of the PCT itself.

Adopted April 1, 2014 Latest revision Dec. 6, 2022