By-Laws and Rules
As Amended October 2021
Article I – Name
Section 1. This Association shall be known as IDAHO COUPLES GOLF ASSOCIATION.
Section 1 (a). The word ‘Couples” in this organization refers to a man and a woman.
Article II – Purpose
Section 1. To utilize tournament scores as basis for couples’ handicap; use of net scores only in determining flight winners; to keep each flight as numerically low as possible to project more diversification of winners.
Section 2. To join together for fun, relaxation, and the enjoyment of playing tournament golf; to encourage fraternizing both socially and on the golf course among those who join the Association; and to keep uppermost in mind the fellowship and pleasant times possible through the Association. Although the ideals are high and lofty, the desire is to achieve “Utopia” whereby all can play without rancor or discord.
Section 2 (a). All complaints in writing directed to the management of a course where an ICGA tournament has been played will be first directed to the officers of the Association for their comments. Failure to follow this rule will result in the couple being expelled from the ICGA. The couple may, after one year, apply to the current Board of Directors for reinstatement consideration.
Article III – Membership, Dues and Fees
Section 1. The members of the Association shall be couples who have a desire to play under ICGA Rules and Regulations.
Section 2. Annual dues shall be $30 per couple, effective January 1, 2022. Annual dues are intended to cover mailing and incidental expenses, annual state tournament expenses, Hole-in-one insurance, and the secretary fee of $1 per couple playing in each tournament. Members will receive $100 for a Hole-in-One made during a sponsored ICGA tournament.
Section 3. Annual dues paid by new members in the month of September, shall be effective for the remainder of the year and the year following membership. This incentive only applies to new members of the ICGA.
Section 4. Fees for tournament play shall be established by the President in negotiation with the Pro or Manager at specific golf courses to be played.
Section 5. Lap money will be paid for second day’s play. The team in each flight that did not place in the tournament payoff and had the lowest second day net score will be awarded the lap money. Payoff for lap money in the event of a tie for last pay-off position will be as follows: last position and lap money combined and paid 40% to each of the tied teams and 20% for lap. In the event of a three-way tie for last position, 30% to each of the tied teams and 10% for lap.
Section 6. The ICGA will furnish a sleeve of balls for the closest to the pin contests if the golf pro does not.
Article IV – Meetings
Section 1. An annual meeting shall be held in the fall of each year after the last tournament; time and place shall be determined by the President. All members shall be notified in advance.
Article V – Elective Officers, Terms and Duties
Section 1. The elective officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President and five couples to be known as Directors. EXCEPTION: The retiring President and Secretary-Treasurer and their spouses shall automatically fill two positions for a period of one year. There shall be at least one couple from each of the three districts elected as Directors: Treasure Valley, Magic Valley and Eastern Idaho.
Section 2. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President and Spouse, Vice-President and Spouse, Secretary-Treasurer and Spouse and five couples known as Directors.
Section 4. Term of office for President, President Elect, all Board of Di- rectors, henceforth, will be elected for a two (2) year term, beginning
immediately following the Annual Meeting. Amended October 1993: Directors shall be elected on alternate years in order to maintain directors with at least one year of experience.
Section 5. The President shall be the executive officer of the Association and of the Board of Directors. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Board meetings; call special meetings when necessary; appoint all committees as directed by the by-laws or by vote of the Association; have general supervision of all matters pertaining to the Association; arrange schedule of tournament play and negotiate fees; perform
such other duties as may be requested by the Association; and prepare newsletters to members on an as-needed basis. The Tournament Schedule newsletter shall be mailed using first class postage so that it will be forwarded to addresses recorded in the Post Office. All other newsletters should be sent out third class (bulk rate) but may be sent first class at the discretion of the President.
Section 6. The Vice-President shall work in close harmony with the President; shall keep fully informed of the business of the Association; and shall officiate and fulfill the duties of the President in his absence.
Section 7. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep correct minutes of all meetings of the Association; keep correct account between Association and members; keep a correct mailing list of all members; verify that the handicaps are correct by updating the computer program after each tournament and comparing the two lists; be responsible for posting name, handicap and score at tournament site; and select number of players to be paid in each flight and amount of payment. The Secretary- Treasurer shall receive the moneys due the Association; pay out moneys owed by the Association and keep appropriate records; shall attend to all correspondence, subject to
Article VI – Nomination, Election and installation of Officers
Section 1. The President shall appoint a nominating committee at least thirty days prior to the annual election. The committee shall recommend candidates to fill each elective office. Further nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the annual election.
Section 2: The election shall be held at the Annual Fall Meeting of the Association.
Section 3: At all elections of officers, the President or a past President shall preside. The vote may be by voice, hand or secret ballot. No member who is in arrears of dues shall be entitled vote.
Section 4: Whenever any elective office shall become vacant for any cause, the President shall fill the vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the year with the consent of the Board.
Article VII – Tournament Requirements
Section 1: Except for emergencies a team must cancel one week (seven days) in advance of a scheduled tournament or forfeit their $50 entry fee. A stamped self-addressed envelope shall be sent to the golf pro for return of entry fees if applicable.
Section 2: If a team reserves a place in a tournament without paying the
$50 entry fee and then does not play in the tournament, the team will be billed $50 by the ICGA which will be paid to the ICGA before the team will be allowed to play in any subsequent tournaments.
Article VIII – Committees
Section 1: Special committees may be appointed by the President upon any item deemed necessary by the Association.
Article IX – Rules of Order
Section 1: The Association shall be guided in its deliberation by the Rules of Order as interpreted by the President.
Article X – Amendments
Section 1: All amendments and revisions to the By-Laws shall be pro- posed in writing and printed in the newsletter the month before the fall meeting. The proposed amendments and revisions will be voted on at the meeting. Members unable to attend the meeting can send a proxy with someone attending the meeting. After due consideration or study, as appropriate, a majority vote of members and proxies shall be required for its adoption.
Section 1(a): Any change to an amendment or By-Law made at the annual meeting that has not been printed in the newsletter must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present at the Annual Meeting. Order of Business
- Opening New Business
- Roll call of officers Committee reports
- Reading minutes of last meeting Reading communications
- Treasurer’s report/bills against Assoc Election of Officers
- Old Business
Chapman Rules of Play
As amended October 2015
Section 1. Couple Play: On first shot each player hits own ball; on second shot each player hits partner’s ball; on third shot, the ball having the greatest advantage to the team may be selected. The player who did not hit the ball selected must hit the third shot, continue to alternate hitting until ball is holed.
Section 2: Penalty shots: The basic rule allows each player two consecutive shots. If a penalty situation occurs on the first shot of either partner, the other partner still takes the second shot and the penalty is added after the shot is made.
Section 3: Holes that are Par 3 for both men and ladies shall be played as Pro Chapmans; only one shot by each partner is taken before selecting the ball to be played. Holes that are Par 3 for men and Par 4 for ladies shall be played as Par 4.
Section 4. Missed Ball: If a partner missed the ball or whiffs on the first shot, the other partner can then hit the ball and it would be lying two. The ball may not be touched or picked up, but should be played as it lies.
Section 4(a). If a player hits a wrong ball, that team incurs a two stroke penalty and the correct ball must be played. If the wrong ball is holed out, the situation must be corrected before teeing off on the next tee box, or in the case of the last hole or the round, it must be corrected before leaving the putting green. The team is disqualified if they do not rectify the mistake.
Section 4(b). It is permissible to play golf between first and second day play, on the tournament course, as long as you do not play Chapman for- mat. You may not play the course on the tournament day before starting time.
Section 5. On 9-hole courses, one color tees will be played for the first nine holes and the other color tees for the second nine, unless ruled otherwise by the course pro.
Section 6. Source of Rules: Rules shall be applied in the following order:
- USGA Rules
- ICGA Rules
- Local Golf Course Rules
Article II – Handicap System
Section 1. Couples entering the first tournament shall submit an IGA or equal handicap card. Handicaps will be computed by adding 60% of the low handicap to 30% of the high handicap.
Section 2. After first tournament, handicap from the tournament play score average of 2 days minus course rating x 113 x course slope x .96. Each tournament handicap well be averaged in until five tournament handicaps shall be used.
Section 3. Any couple who has paid the current year’s dues will be eligible for the Snowbird trip.
Section 4. Each year, the President will designate the course for the State Tournament. Members must have played at least three (3) tournaments since the previous year’s ICGA tournament played at that particular course.
Section 5. Handicaps are computed by the following equation: Average score of the two-day play minus average of men’s and women’s course rating times 96%. If one day of the tournament is cancelled, a score for the cancelled day will be calculated using the average of the men and women’s course rating plus the team’s handicap. This score will be averaged with the score for the one day of play to establish a handicap for that tournament.
Section 6. Handicaps will be maintained for two years without receipt of annual dues. However, teams will be dropped from the mailing list after one year if dues are not paid.
Section 7. Distance finding devices are allowed as long as they con- form to USGA Rule. Male Players over 80 years of age, may choose to permanently play the forward tees.
Section 8. In case of a tie for the State Championship at the Annual State Tournament, the teams shall be recognized as “co-champions”.
