MONGREL MASTERS BY - LAWS AND TOURNAMENT RULES

In participating in the Mongrel Masters all members acknowledge acceptance of and are bound by the following By-Laws and Tournament Rules.

1. MEMBERSHIP REGULATIONS

Only four categories of playing membership will exist for the Mongrel Masters:

The number of members of the Masters is limited to sixty (60).

(1)Persons who competed in the inaugural Mongrel Masters in 1990 are eligible for Foundation Membership of the Mongrel Masters.

Life Membership

(1)Persons who have competed in ten  Mongrel Masters are eligible for Life Membership of the Mongrel Masters. In order for this to be bestowed upon any member a unanimous decision must be obtained by the Executive Director.

The following persons are eligible for full membership of the Mongrel Masters:

(1) Winners of the Mongrel Masters titles along with the winners of the Order of Merit, for ten Calendar years after the season in which the player’s win takes place.

(2) The leading 20 full members from the final Mongrel Masters Order of Merit table of the previous year.

(3) Any Temporary member whose official money earnings surpassed or were equal to those of the 20th placed full member on the final Order of Merit Table of the previous year.

(4) The top 20 players from the Mongrel Masters Career Money List as at the end of the previous season.

(5) Players from the previous season who have been unable to fulfill the obligations of membership due to serious illness or extenuating personal circumstances at the absolute discretion of the Masters Executive Director.

Temporary Membership Persons other than Full members of the Masters who participate in the Mongrel Masters will hold Temporary membership for the duration of the event. Temporary Members will be entitled to take full membership the following season should their official money earnings surpass those of the 20th ranked full member on the final Order of Merit.

Annual Membership fee The Annual Full Membership Fee for players who are full members of Mongrel Masters will be determined by The Mongrel Masters Executive Director each year.

25% of all Annual Membership fees will be donated to a charity nominated by The Mongrel Masters Executive Director.

The maximum starting field size for the Mongrel Masters shall be 20 players.

The categories of persons listed below shall be able to enter the Mongrel Masters.

(1)Foundation Members

(2Life Members

(3) Winners of the Mongrel Masters titles along with the winners of the Order of Merit.

(4) The top 20 Full members from the previous years Order of Merit Table.

(5) Any Temporary member whose official money earnings surpassed or were equal to those of the 20th placed Full member on the previous years Order of Merit Table and who has since taken up his Full membership entitlement.

(6) The top 20 from the Mongrel Masters Career Money List at the end of the previous season.

(7) Sponsor invitees. Any sponsor invitee who is not a full member of the Mongrel Masters will be required to take temporary membership Mongrel Masters for the period of the tournament.

(8) Players who finish in positions 21-60 on the Mongrel Masters Career Money List at the end of the previous season will be eligible to fill the exempt position left available by any top 20 player who fails to enter the Mongrel Masters. Once a total of 20 exempt players is reached, the remaining players will be required to prequalify.

3. ORDER OF MERIT: In each season a system based on Mongrel Dollars, or part thereof, won by a player in the Mongrel Masters will be recorded. The leading 20 money winners will be considered exempt from pre-qualifying in the following season’s Mongrel Masters.

N.B. The official Order of Merit season for the ensuing year will be from 1st January to 31st December

4. TOURNAMENT ENTRY REGULATIONS:

Entries may be posted to the Executive Director, Mongrel Masters,9 Tyagarah Place , Cromer, N.S.W. 2099.

Entries must be made in the proper form and close at 5.00 pm 21 days before the commencement of the event at the Mongrel Masters Head Office on the closing date.

Entries received in the Mongrel Masters Office postmarked two (2) days before the closing date will be accepted. The onus is on the player to ensure his entry has been received by the Mongrel Masters by the closing date.

Entries from Sponsor Invitees will be accepted until 12 noon seven (7) days prior to the date of the event.

Should entries not reach the required field size number after having added the number of nominated Sponsor Invitees, consideration will be given to the acceptance of late entries in the order mail is opened until the final figure is obtained. The next six late entries will be allocated as alternates using the same procedure of priority.

A commitment by a Mongrel to enter the Mongrel Masters is also a commitment to be bound by the conditions governing the tournament.

Entries will not be accepted over the telephone except in exceptional circumstances.

Hours of Registration: The hours of registration at the venue course will be 30 minutes immediately prior to the tournament All players are required to complete Registration, in person. When Registration is completed, the draw will then be made.

Failure to register as set out above, incurs the following penalties—

UNDER SUBSCRIBED TOURNAMENTS —A player arriving after Registration is completed will be placed in the Draw at a time convenient to the Executive Director, preferably at the end of the field.

OVERSUBSCRIBED TOURNAMENTS —A player failing to register in this case will forfeit his place in the field.

FAILURE TO COMPETE AFTER REGISTERING—A player failing to compete after registering will be liable to suspension.

The above conditions apply except as otherwise advised or in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Mongrel Masters Executive Director.

6. (a) Failure to compete after nominating—Any member who has nominated for the Mongrel Masters must complete the round.

Should he find himself unable to compete for any reason he must give notice of his inability to play by 4 pm on the Friday preceding the tournament to the Mongrel Masters Office or by handing written notification to the Mongrel Masters Executive Director or his appointee within one hour of the commencement of play of the scheduled round of the tournament. Exception to this rule may be made only in the case of sickness or other special circumstances subject to the discretion of the Mongrel Masters.

NOTE: Telephone notification of withdrawal made to any person or Club other than Mongrel Masters as above, must be confirmed in writing to Mongrel Masters Office within 14 days.

A player will be liable to suspension if withdrawal is not made in the approved manner.

(b) Withdrawal during a Tournament—During a round a player may withdraw because of illness or other physical disability which requires medical attention, or serious personal emergency. The player shall immediately notify the Mongrel Masters Executive Director of his reason for withdrawal and within fourteen (14) days submit written evidence to the Mongrel Masters. Failure to respond or submit satisfactory and acceptable evidence shall render the player liable to suspension and/or a fine.

(c) Best Efforts—In entering the Mongrel Masters a player thereby obligates himself to exercise his maximum golf skill and to play in a mongrel manner.

(d) Failure to Complete a Round—Any player deliberately disqualifying himself or picking up his ball without playing out the hole shall be deemed not have exercised his maximum golf skill nor to have played in a mongrel manner. Failure to complete a round shall render the player liable to suspension and/or a fine.

7.SLEDGING: All forms of sledging, by-play, or acts which will hinder the performance of a fellow competitor during a tournament is encouraged. Players who in the opinion of the Executive Director are not playing within the spirit of the Mongrel Masters and participating in such acts are liable to suspension and expulsion at the discretion of the Executive Director.

8. The first three prizewinners in the Mongrel Masters must attend the prize-giving unless an adequate reason for non-attendance is given in writing to the official in charge of the tournament or competition prior to the prize-giving. Failure to comply with this regulation will be regarded by the Mongrel Masters as a most serious breach of Mongrel Masters regulations.

9. STATISTICS: Mongrel Masters Statistics are to be compiled by each player upon request for the Mongrel Masters. Players are reminded that it is in their own interest as members of the Mongrel Masters to complete the Statistics Sheet during or at the conclusion of the round. Any player who fails to co-operate on a regular basis will not be eligible to benefit from the annual awards.

10. (a) UNDUE DELAY: Undue delay caused by a player seeking a decision on the rules during play when Rule 3-3 could have been applied, shall render the player Iiable to a penalty by the Executive Director under Rule of Golf 6-7.

(b) SLOW PLAY: If a group is observed to be out of position, ie, it has lost substantially more than its starting interval or in the case of the first groups has taken, in the opinion of the Rules Committee an unacceptable amount of time to play any part of the course, the following action will be taken.

1. The group will be officially warned they are out of position and that the timings of individual players will be taken thereafter.

2. If any player who exceeds 50 seconds on a "first to play shot" or 40 seconds on a second or third to play shot after the group has been officially warned, he will have breached Mongrel Masters Regulations,

Penalty:

1st Breach -1 stroke penalty

2nd Breach -2 stroke penalty

Repeated Offences - Disqualification

Timing will commence when clearly the players turn is Unobstructed.

11. Any complaint concerning matters pertaining to the play or other players, must be lodged, in writing, immediately on completion of that round. Notice of such intention to lodge a complaint must be given to the Executive Director immediately on leaving the final Green.

12. No entrant in the Masters shall enter into an arrangement with another player to share any prize.

13. Any player failing to hand in his card at the completion of a round in accordance with the Rules of Golf will be liable to a heavy suspension for each offence.

14. The winner of the Tournament shall be determined in accordance with medal play rules as approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the local rules of the Palm Beach Golf Club and the tournament rules of the Mongrel Masters. Should there be a tie for first place, the winner of the Tournament will be determined by a sudden death play-off over as many additional holes as may be necessary to determine the final winner; provided that in the event that it is rendered impossible to have a sudden death play-off, the winner will be determined by a sudden death putt-off over as many holes on the practice putting green as may be necessary to determine a final winner. In other cases where there are ties, the money will be shared equally.

15. Any player throwing or breaking clubs, damaging the course in any way, criticising the course, the competition, the sponsors or other officials connected with the competition or behaving in such a manner on the course or within the precincts of the Clubhouse which, in the opinion of the Mongrel Masters Executive Director, will bring discredit to the Mongrel Masters or be offensive, in any way, will render himself liable to suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the Executive Director.

16. No player or his caddy is permitted to use a motorised golf cart during the play of a tournament unless exceptional circumstances exist and approval has been given by the Mongrel Masters Executive Director.

17. No player or his caddy shall pace or measure the course, walk on greens once the tournament has commenced.

18. The use of a transistor radio or recorder during the course of play by a competitor or his caddy is not permitted.

19. No competitor during the playing of a tournament will, himself, or his caddy, be permitted to wear or display any advertising matter which, in the opinion of the Mongrel Masters may embarrass a Sponsor, or place in jeopardy the conduct of a tournament. In all cases, approval to wear advertising matter must be obtained from the Masters prior to the commencement of the tournament.

20. A competitor may employ the services of a caddy but must receive the prior permission of the Mongrel Masters Executive Director or his duly appointed nominee.

21. SUSPENSION OR CESSATION OF PLAY: The following procedure shall be adopted in the event of play being suspended or cancelled for any reason.

(a) SUSPENDED: If, through weather or for other reasons, play is suspended or abandoned by order of the Executive Director, warning will be given to players in the following manner:

Discontinuance of play—3 blasts of siren

Resumption of play— 1 long blast of siren

(b) CESSATION:

In the event of the tournament being cancelled and a decision not be possible, the Mongrel Masters will be postponed or suspended for that year as may be determined.

22. TELEVISION RIGHTS: No member or temporary member of the Mongrel Masters shall ask for or receive remuneration for television rights in relation to golf tournaments, exhibitions, or such other golfing activities scheduled "approved" or "co-sponsored" by Mongrel Masters. Such rights and remuneration to remain the property of the Mongrel Masters.

23. LOST BALL: In the event of a lost ball, it is the marker’s responsibility to check the time of search from its beginning until the ball is found, or the 5 minutes limit has expired. The time of commencement and cessation of search must be announced by the player or his marker.

24. PLAYER IDENTIFICATION: Players are required to ensure that caddies properly wear Mongrel Masters approved uniform and display player identification provided for a tournament for the full duration of the round.

25. BALL SIZE: The Executive Director has ruled that the 1.68 size of Golf Ball will be compulsory for all Mongrel Masters.

26.PLAYING TOO SERIOUSLY: A player who by his dress, actions or demeanor during the Mongrel Masters, in the opinion of the Executive Director, is playing too seriously and not within the philosophy of the Mongrel Masters will render himself liable to disqualification and suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the Mongrel Masters Executive Director.

27.DRESS: All Mongrel Masters members are required to wear bright, colourful and distasteful clothing when competing in the Mongrel Masters. All shirts must have collars and long socks are to be worn with walk shorts. Football jumpers and shorts are unacceptable attire.

28. DRINKING: Failure to consume the required number of beers on or before the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th holes for the Masters event is a serious breach of the Mongrel Masters By-Laws.

PENALTY —(A) First Offence —Stroke Play—5 stroke penalty

                —(B) Second Offence —Disqualification

29.Not withstanding anything covered by these rules, regulations or procedures, the Mongrel Masters Executive Director reserves the right and discretionary powers to alter or vary any such conditions or rules covered herein, if in his opinion, justifiable grounds or extreme circumstances exist, to make such changes as they may consider necessary in the best interest of the Mongrel Masters.

1.All rules relating to etiquette as stipulated in the Rules of Golf are suspended for the Mongrel Masters with the exception of the following:

2. Ensure that all pitch marks are repaired before leaving a green.

3. Players must not use their putter head to flip their ball from a putting cup. The ball must be taken out by hand.

4. Players must ensure that bunkers are raked and rake returned to bunker before leaving the area.

31.CODE OF CONDUCT

The Mongrel Masters Code of Conduct shall apply in the Mongrel Masters.

On becoming a member of Mongrel Masters each member voluntarily submits to standards of behaviour and ethical

conduct beyond those of ordinary golfers and the public. The highest degree of mongrelship is expected from every player.

Players are under an obligation to avoid acts that are unmongrelike or detrimental to the game of golf.

Violation of any of the following provisions regarded as unmongrel and prejudicial conduct may render a player subject to a suspension by the Disciplinary Committee from play or both or permanent disbarment from the Mongrel Masters.

1. Any player who shall during any match or within the precincts of the site or clubhouse of the Mongrel Masters, engage in conduct to the prejudice of the integrity of the game of golf, Mongrel Masters or other associated body.

2.Any player who shall at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site or clubhouse.

3. Any player who shall throw or break clubs; damage the course in any way; criticise the course, competition, the sponsors, the Executive Director or other officials connected with the competition or shall behave on the course or within the precincts of the clubhouse such as will bring discredit to Mongrel Masters or the game of golf.

4. Any player who shall fail to report a breach of the Code by another member of the Masters when the breach is known by the member or he should reasonably have realised that a breach may have occurred and to co-operate in any enquiry.

5. Any member guilty of cheating at the rules of golf.

6. Any member who fails to comply with the Rules of Golf as amended by Local Rules in force at the Masters or who fails to comply with any other Rules, By-Laws, directions or instructions as specified by the Mongrel Masters Executive Director.

7. Any member who fails to act in the best interests of Mongrel Masters and the game of golf.

Summary Offences—Mongrel Masters By-Law 32.

(a) The Mongrel Masters Executive Director or such person or persons acting as his nominee shall be authorised to take disciplinary action against a player in relation to all summary offences and shall have power to impose suspensions or expulsion.

(b) The following acts, omissions or breaches of etiquette shall be considered to be "Summary Offences". Any breach of contravention of the same may result in suspension, expulsion.

(I) Etiquette Failure to comply with normally accepted standards of mongrelism and golf etiquette—Mongrel Masters By-Law 28.

(ii) Misbehaviour Misbehaviour of a personal nature which is generally unacceptable by normal mongrel standards—Mongrel Masters By-Law 15.

(iii) Failure to use Best Efforts Failure by a player to exercise his maximum golf skill and to play in a mongrel manner in any Masters tournament or approved event.—Mongrel Masters By-Law 6(c)

(iv) Failure to Compete after Nominating—Mongrel Masters By-Law 6(a).

(v) Failure to Complete a Round—Mongrel Masters By-Law 6(d).

(vi) Failure to sledge— Mongrel Masters By-Law 7

(vii) Failure to Attend Presentation—Mongrel Masters By-Law 8.

(viii) Undue Delay—Mongrel Masters By-Law 10.

(ix) Failure to Complete Score Card—Mongrel Masters By-Law 13.

(x) Course Measuring, etc.—Mongrel Masters By-Law 17.

(xi) Use of Radio(s)—Mongrel Masters By-Law 18.

(xii) Advertising Matter—Mongrel Masters By-Law 19.

(xiii) Player Identification—Mongrel Masters By-Law 24.

(xiii) Playing too seriously—Mongrel Masters By-Law 26.

(xiv) Unacceptable Standard of Dress—as defined under Mongrel Masters By-Law 27

(xv) Failure to consume required beers—Mongrel Masters By-Law 28.

(xvi) Breach of Code of Conduct—Mongrel Masters By-Law 31.

33.RIGHT OF APPEAL—(SUMMARY OFFENCES) Mongrel Masters By-Law 33.

(a) A member shall have the right to appeal from a decision against the penalty of disciplinary action imposed

pursuant to By-Law 32 to the APPEALS COMMITTEE.

(b) The APPEALS COMMITTEE shall be appointed by the Executive Director from time to time.

(c) Prior to any such appeal being heard, the appellant must:—

(I) Lodge written notice of appeal specifying the grounds of appeal with the Mongrel Masters Executive Director within seven (7) days of the imposition of any such fine, penalty or disciplinary action.

(d) The Appeals Committee shall consider all and any evidence or information put before It.

(e) Pending the determination of any such appeal, the appellant shall not be prevented from participating in the Mongrel Masters.

The Appeals Committee may after hearing all the evidence either give its decision at the conclusion of the hearing or subsequently as it shall deem fit. Any penalty or expulsion may be either remitted, reduced, increased or varied. The final decision shall be conveyed to the Appellant in writing.

34.DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE—Mongrel Masters By-Law 34.

(a) All breaches of Mongrel Masters Tournament Rules, By-Laws or Code of Conduct (ie other than matters classified as Summary Offences) shall be immediately referred to the Disciplinary Committee for action.

(b) The members of such Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Director from time to time.

(c) The Members of the Disciplinary Committee (as shall from time to time be constituted) may also act as members of the Appeals Committee in relation to any Appeal lodged against any penalty, expulsion or suspension imposed pursuant to By-Law 32 (Summary Offences).

35.RIGHT OF APPEAL—("Disciplinary Matters") Mongrel Masters By-Law 35.

(a) A member shall have the right of Appeal from a decision of the Disciplinary Committee to a FINAL APPEALS COMMITTEE.

(b) The Executive Director shall appoint a FINAL APPEALS COMMITTEE from time to time. Such Committee shall consist of not more than three (3) persons (who shall not comprise any of the same persons who sat on the Disciplinary Committee) and shall act in relation to appeals lodged against fine, penalty, suspension or expulsion or disciplinary action imposed by the Disciplinary Committee in relation to Breaches of Mongrel Masters Tournament Rules, By-Laws or Code of Conduct.

(c) Prior to any Appeal being heard, the Appellant must:—

(i) Lodge written notice of Appeal specifying the grounds of appeal with the Secretary of Mongrel Masters within seven (7) days of the imposition of the penalty or suspension.

(d) All appeals shall be heard within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the appropriate notice of Appeal.

(e) A member so appealing shall have the right of appearance in person before the Final Appeals Committee.

36.MONGREL MASTERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS— Mongrel Masters By-Law 36.

(a) The Mongrel Masters shall be run by a Board of Directors consisting of;

(i) 1 x Chairman/Executive Director

(ii) 3 x Foundation Members

(iii) 1 x Appointee of Chairman/Executive Director when deemed appropriate

(b) The Chairman/ Executive Director has absolute power and sole discretion over the rules and conduct of the Mongrel Masters.

(c) With the exception of the Chairman/Executive Director, all Board members have no rights or privileges other than those stipulated in the By Laws and Tournament Rules of the Mongrel Masters.

37.APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF MONGREL MASTERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS— Mongrel Masters By-Law 37.

(a)The Mongrel Masters Board of Directors shall be appointed and removed by Antony Noni Scanlon only. 

(b)There are no elections held for Board positions.

38. CONDUCT OF MONGREL MASTERS BOARD MEETINGS— Mongrel Masters By-Law 38.

(a) Only the Chairman / Executive Director can call a Board Meeting.

(b) In order for a quorum at a Board Meeting all Board members must be physically present.

(c) The Chairman / Executive Director has right of veto over any decision that may be made during a Board Meeting.

39.RIGHTS OF MONGREL MASTERS MEMBERS— Mongrel Masters By-Law 39.

The  four categories of playing membership  for the Mongrel Masters; Foundation membership; Life membership; Full membership; Temporary membership; have no voting rights, other rights or privileges other than those stipulated within the Mongrel Masters By Laws and Tournament Rules.

40.OWNERSHIP OF THE MONGREL MASTERS — Mongrel Masters By-Law 40.

The Mongrel Masters, associated Trade marks, publications and websites are the property of Antony Noni Scanlon .

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