1. League Name
The League shall be known as "Reading & District Inter- Club League" (RDICL)

2. Objectives of the RDICL the "League"
The primary aim of fostering greater incentive and keener competition between Golf Clubs in the area by creating a inter club league for their best players to compete all playing off level handicaps. A Scratch Team.

3. The RDICL
The RDICL is formed by the member clubs and operated by its nominated committee as a Golf interclub league.

4. Organisation of the League
A committee shall be elected to operate the league consisting of a President, Secretary and Treasurer and up to four elected representatives from the league clubs. The representative shall be current Team Captains or any other person nominated by the respective club in the absence of the Captain.

5. Election of Officers
(i)The President, Secretary and Treasurer nominated positions shall be elected at the AGM and normally serve a three year term but can be re-elected to serve for further term. The President and committee will put forward nominations for the post of President, Secretary and Treasurer for ratification at the AGM. The President and Secretary would normally be an experienced past team Captain or player and who has a good understanding of the league. A committee member may hold two nominated positions but not three.
(ii)The three elected committee representatives to serve for one year but can be re-elected each year.
(iii)Nominations for the elected representatives shall be balloted by the team Captains or Club representative at the AGM in the event that more applications than vacancies are received.
(iv)Nominations are to be forwarded to the Secretary with name of no later than 3 days prior to the AGM
(v)In the event of a tie the President has the casting vote.

6. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
AGM will be held each year normally in November at an appropriate venue. Notice will be forwarded to every paid up club of the League at least 14 days beforehand. The President shall be chairman and in his absence a nominated committee member will act as Chairman for the AGM or EGM. In the event of any ballot or vote being tied, the President or chairman shall have the casting vote.
Two representatives of each club may attend and if a decision is needed on any matter then each team shall have one vote. Rules of the league can be changed by the Committee or at the AGM or EGM by simple majority, in the event of a tie the President or chairman of the meeting has the casting vote.

7. Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
An "EGM" can be called anytime by either a majority of the Committee, or by a minimum of 30% of the total paid up clubs. Written notice must be given to every paid up club of the League of the intention to hold an EGM at least 21 days prior to the proposed date by those calling the meeting. The venue of the meeting must be within 10 miles of "Reading, Berkshire". An "EGM" has the same standing as an "AGM".

8. Annual Dinner
Each year there will be an annual dinner and the years winning division 1 club shall be given the opportunity of arranging the dinner at their own club premises unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Numbers to attend to be governed by available facilities and additional to Team Captains, Club Secretaries and team members, other guests shall be invited where possible in accordance with established custom. The Trophies and team & individual prizes will be presented at the Annual Dinner.

9. Other Events
Other golf events may be arranged, such as a League summer meeting or League Matchplay Knock out to foster additional interest for team players.

10. League Funds
The league funds will be deposited in the RDICL bank account. All outgoings and expenses should be sanctioned by the Committee. The Treasurer, Secretary and or the president may disburse funds on the Leagues behalf prior to sanction, if they consider it urgently necessary. Signatories for the bank account will be the Treasurer or the Secretary or the President.

11. The Treasurer
The Treasurer will keep up to date accounts throughout the year in order to assist the Committees financial planning. Prior to an AGM, the Treasurer will also publish and distribute to the clubs detailed annual accounts showing all income and expenditure throughout the year and be able to offer comment and answer to any questions raised by member clubs concerning the financial affairs of the League.

12. Co-opted Organisers
The Committee may nominate Organisers as necessary to organise League matters outside the committee. They will be invited to attend committee meetings at appropriate times by the committee on a nonvoting basis.

13. Committee Meetings
A Committee meeting will be held generally four times a year to discuss the Leagues business and the next year's league fixtures and formats. The President (in his absence the Secretary) will act as chairman for committee meetings In the event of any ballot or vote being tied, the President or chairman shall have the casting vote. A quorum for voting purposes is no less than 3 committee members in attendance.

14. League Members \Clubs
(i)All member clubs, as a condition of membership of the League shall agree and comply with the constitution, rules and traditions of the league insofar as they do not infringe on their own club rules.
(ii)Pay annual membership fees by the date set by the committee but in any event no later than 14 days prior to the first meeting of the year. The Committee shall set the fee at the AGM each year.
(iii)Late fees; any fees not paid in accordance with (ii) above the club maybe suspended or removed from the current year's competition until fees are paid at the committees discretion.
(iv)Provide the name and full contact details and any update of the club members' official contact to the league Secretary i.e. Club Manager or Secretary and Team Captain.
(v)Team Captains are representatives of a club therefore ensure they are informed of your expectations and the league rules.
(vi)When and if applicable keep the League website updated with fixture results and contact details.
(vii)Match dates; provide and cooperate on a timely basis the dates for fixtures, these are normally required in December for following year. Clubs to submit a minimum of 5 Saturday dates between April and end of June and 5 Saturday dates from mid August to 2nd weekend in October to assist in the league scheduling 5 home dates for the year. Dates to avoid see (ix) & (xii) below and check and notify of any important dates to avoid for away matches that cat1 players would normally play i.e. club championship.
(viii)The league Secretary shall notify each team /club of the match dates and the team / club shall notify the Secretary of agreement of fixtures and of any change request at the soonest, but in any event by 31st January - then fixtures will stand for first half of the season. A club or team may make one change to the 2nd half of the season fixtures (August to October) provided that it's for a justifiable reason and that the Secretary on or prior to 1st July receives such a request.
(ix)Dates to be avoided (if possible) are a minimum of 2 weeks outside planned material course greens maintenance work, Easter and Bank holiday weekends.
(x)Fixtures of host club dates, once agreed as prescribed in (vii) cannot be cancelled with less than 4 weeks' notice is given to the Secretary other than for reasons listed under rule 24 Postponement of a fixture.
(xi)For match dates at host venues ensure the visiting teams are greeted by a formal starter which is normally the host club team captain and this should include monitoring league players' speed of play.
(xii)The tee reservation should include a courtesy of 10 minutes prior to commencement of play. Start Tee time preferred is 1pm but can be set between 11.00 am and 2.00pm.
(xiii)Team Shirts are encouraged to be worn by players at all matches.

15. Club Exit of the league
(i)In the event a club no longer wishes to continue membership of the League the club must give formal notice in writing to the league Secretary outlining reasons for exit. Exit can only be allowed by giving formal notice in writing by a club at the end of a season after the last game has been played or no later than 14 days after the AGM.
(ii)Clubs that membership has ceased if they wish to rejoin shall to go through the Application procedure as outline in clause 16 below.

16. Membership Application
(i)Clubs wishing to join the league should apply to the league Secretary in writing stating their reasons for joining and subject to availability they will be asked to complete an application form. The application form shall refer to the Leagues enclosed "Constitution and Rules" the current fees and be signed by an official of the club, Secretary, Captain or Director agreeing to comply and meet the leagues membership criteria.
(ii)Any club applying to join to be discussed at a Committee meeting and too be accepted will require a 75% majority vote.
(iii)Criteria of accepting a new club member to the league; a) the format can accommodate another club or have a vacancy expected within a year. b) The club is situated within the area and not more than a travelling distance of 45 minutes of any other member club. c) The course is of good standard and has no less than full 18 separate holes. d) The club has a minimum of 10 members playing off handicaps of 5 or less.
(iv)All new clubs joining will be at commencement from the next season and they will be allocated to the lowest division.
(v)The Committees decision is final.

17. Team Captains Responsibilities
(i)It is the Team Captains responsibility to ensure a team is available to attend every match with a full complement of players and ready to play at appointed club and time. Refer to rules clause 22 for late on the tee and no shows
(ii)Captains or starter to exchange completed team sheet in order of play 10 minutes before tee time.
(iii)The winning Captain is responsible for entering the match results on the league website no later than 9pm the next day. Failure to enter scores on more than one occasion and or incomplete information may result in points being deducted at the discretion of the committee.
(iv)To ensure all players are aware of the rules of the league and expected conduct, dress code and no mobile phones
(v)To update the website with changes of contact information mobile number and email address and notify the Secretary in order changes can be circulated.
(vi)To notify host club immediately if any player is going to be late or less than the prescribed number of players.
(vii)To ensure that players conduct is in the spirit of league and to encourage his team players to have a drink after play, this is considered common etiquette to club and opposition.

18. Team Captain Hosting Fixture
(i)Visiting team captains to hand in completed team sheet in order of play, 10 minutes prior to their allocated tee time.
(ii)Ensure teams are started in the correct order of play and on time.
(iii)To advise all players of local rules on the day
(iv)To be available during duration of play to ensure speed of play and make any necessary rulings or disputes that are not resolved between team captains. Any dispute should be dealt with in conjunction with the league rules or rules of golf as laid down by the R & A.
(v)After play has commenced it is the host captains' decision if play should be suspended or abandoned owing to adverse weather conditions, see rule 23.

19. Players
(i)To participate in League matches a player must be an amateur male playing member or employee of the club. A player may not represent more than one Club during any League season. (exceptions under rule 19.(ii) & (iii))
(ii)In the event of one club having more than one team in the League; Once a player has played 2 league games for the 1st division in one season , they no longer eligible for the 2nd division team in the league or KO for the remainder of the season. For Knockout Matchplay any player representing either team in the KO for their club, are ineligible to play for the other KO team in the same season.
(iii)When a player fully resigns his membership and joins another league club he may play for the new club in the same season.
(iv)Conduct of players: must conduct themselves at league matches in a manner not likely to bring the good name of the league into disrepute. Bad and loud language, unsuitable dress, inconsiderate parking, non-compliance of the rules of the golf club, use of mobile phones etc. The Committee are empowered to expel or temporarily suspend any player from future games.

20. League format and rules of play
(i)The League will consist of two or more divisions each ideally each containing six clubs. The exact format will be decided each year by the committee depending upon participating teams.
(ii)Clubs will play each other twice in a season, once during April - June, and once during the period August to early October, but subject to format agreed in (i) above.
(iii)Matches will be on Saturdays, Home and Away, on dates and times agreed with the Host Club normally between 11am & 2pm, who will ensure that the tee is reserved for a suitable period prior to the start of play.
(iv)The teams will play at the Host Club as stated in the match programme: a) The starting time of the first match, b) and thereafter matches will continue at 8 minute intervals, c) the team order of play.
(v)Each match will be between 2 teams comprising 3 pairs playing scratch four ball better ball, the result being determined by holes up or down in each match over 18 holes.
(vi)League matches are to be played from back medal tees subject to being made available by host club
(vii)Matches to start from first tee unless instructed otherwise by host club.

21. Scoring & Winners
(i)Points for each team shall be awarded as follows: a) Two points for each winning pair, b) One point for any halved individual match, c) One point for the team with the highest aggregate of holes up taking all three individual matches into account, d) If the aggregate total is tied each team will be awarded a half-point.
(ii)The winners of the League Trophy shall be the team with the highest number of points over the whole series.
(iii)In the event of a tie for first place, in any division, a play-off will take place on neutral ground by 31st October.
(iv)The format for a play-off will be 3 Scratch Fourball Matches with all matches played to a finish i.e. no halved matches, a winner of each match must be decided.
(v)In the event of a tie for second or a lower place, then any prize will go to the team with the highest number of 'net holes up' over the whole series. If the 'net holes up' measure fails to determine the winner then the games between the teams which are still equal shall be taken to ascertain the winner of second or lower place using firstly the points gained by each team and then, if still equal, the 'net holes up'.
(vi)Teams that fail to send a representative to the annual dinner to collect prize monies will forfeit their right to receive the prize and the monies, will be returned to the leagues fund.
(vii)

22. Team, players late or fail to show
(i)It is the responsibility of Captains of competing teams to ensure their readiness to start play at the appropriate time. Refer to Team Captains responsibilities clause 17.
(ii)The match dates shall be adhered to - as shall the team pairings and order of play of individual matches once details are exchanged between Captains and or handed to the starter.
(iii)Any team pair which is incomplete, (one player can play on own or other player join the match during the round) or any pair unable to comply with the order of play shall forfeit their match, the margin being one hole up or such number of holes as is sufficient to enable the opposing team to win the aggregate point by the margin of one hole.
(iv)If a team as a whole is not ready to play at the agreed time, the opposing team shall be awarded the relevant winning points deemed to have won each individual match by one hole.
(v)An unjustified no show or match forfeiture will result in automatic forfeit of eligibility to receive a prize and shall receive a penalty deduction of 10 points.
(vi)An unjustified no show or match forfeiture can result in the offending team being removed from the league.

23. Abandonment of match or individual matches for weather or illness etc
(i)Adverse weather the course becomes unfit to play, the play shall be temporarily suspended, but if it is clear that the course will not become playable while waiting on the course, then the match shall be abandoned with a) or b) to apply to determine result; a). If after play has started but the last match has not completed 12 holes then the match shall be rearranged at a later date and League Secretary informed within 24 hours, b). After the completion of 12 holes by all matches the result shall be decided by reference to the position of each individual match after the finish of its last completed hole.
(ii)Play shall not be suspended unless absolutely necessary and the decision to abandon the match shall be taken by the Host Team Captain, when it is clear there is no realistic chance of the course becoming fit to play in the immediate future.
(iii)If a player is taken ill or meets with an accident after a match has started, the remaining player should continue otherwise the opposing pair shall be deemed to win each of the remaining holes to determine the result of the individual match, provided that the holes awarded after a play has ceased to play shall be no more than are sufficient to win both the individual match and the aggregate point by a margin of one hole.

24. Fixture date changes, starting times and or Postponement
(i)In the event of the postponement of a fixture by a host club, because of course closure or its unfit to play due to adverse weather, the fixture shall be rearranged as soon as possible with the Host Club.
(ii)Match dates once agreed by both Hosting and visiting clubs cannot be changed unless for exceptional circumstances - Any request must be submitted in writing to the League Secretary giving full details at the earliest opportunity but not less than 7 days before the match date. Date changes cannot be made directly between teams /clubs.
(iii)Match tee times maybe changed by hosting clubs by giving not less than 5 days advance notice to visiting club within the tee time range of 11am -2pm.

25. Promotion & Relegation
(i)It is intended that the winning team and runner-up of division 2 shall be promoted each season and the bottom two clubs of division 1 shall be relegated each season.
(ii)Promotion and Relegation shall be decided by the committee at the end of a playing season taking into account any changes of teams during the season or teams available for the following season.
(iii)In the event that any club has more than one team in the League no team can be promoted into division 1 in which a team from that club already exists. The next qualifying team in the lower division shall not be promoted instead.
(iv)Teams from the same club can play in division 2 or lower, but not in division 1.

26. Rules of Golf
All Players must adhere strictly to the Rules of Golf laid down by "The R & A" subject to; any local club rules that are permanent or temporarily made as stated by the host club.

27. Disputes
Any dispute as to local rules will be settled by the Host Club Team Captain or Secretary or other authorised nominee of the Host Club, whose decision shall be final. In the event a decision is not made then full facts to be convey to the President in writing outlining the situation by both team captains.

28. Prizes
(i)The League Trophies will be awarded at the Annual Dinner to the winners of each Division with other team and individual prizes and the amounts being awarded to as set by the committee at the Annual General Meeting.
(ii)Any prizes will be awarded in accordance with placement in each division regardless of promotion.
Teams that fail to send a representative to the annual dinner to collect prize monies will forfeit their right to receive the prize and the monies, will be returned to the leagues fund.