Membership Terms & Conditions

Introduction

These terms and conditions apply to all playing members of Blyth Golf Club Limited ("the Club"). The Club is a members' club and a Company Limited by Shares.

In addition to the following terms and conditions, members are subject to the matters and procedures set out in Club's Articles of Association. These include how and when to call general meetings, voting rights, the election and powers of the directors as well as disciplinary procedures. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and conditions and the articles of association, then the latter takes precedence.

Members must also abide by Byelaws made under the Articles of Association these shall be binding on all members as applicable unless and until altered or repealed by the Directors. Byelaws cover such matters as how the Club is run, the responsibilities of members regarding dress code etc. These rules are available to view on the Club's website.

Categories of membership

There are two main membership categories; Full Member and Associate Member, each of which contain subscription categories. The Club reserves the right to limit the number of members in each category and in general meeting to introduce or dispense with different categories of membership as and when it deems such change as appropriate.

Full members shall be invited to be a Shareholder of the Club and membership provides access to the course seven days a week, except for those times that are reserved for club competitions, booked society events, booked visitor green fees or when it has been decided by those approved by the Management Committee, to close the course for maintenance or adverse weather conditions.

Associate membership permits access to the course in accordance with the respective subscription category, e.g. 5 day membership, and in line with the aforementioned exceptions that apply to full members.

Other charges

The Club may provide other services for the convenience of members. These include the provision of lockers and the use of trolley storage sheds. Members will need to apply for use of these facilities, as there are a restricted number available.

There will be an annual charge for the use of these facilities, which will normally be billed at the same time as the annual subscription.

Affiliation fees

This is a fee that is payable annually to "Northumberland Golf" and "England Golf"; these affiliation fees will be charged with subscription fees each year. In the event that a member belongs to another golf club as well as Blyth, affiliation fees need only be paid once.

Joining the Club

A person wishing to join the Club should submit a completed application form for membership, countersigned by a proposer and seconder who are both existing playing members of the Club. If an applicant does not know any existing members, the application should be submitted directly to the Club.

Applications for membership will be considered by the Club who will confirm membership arrangements with the applicant and provide details of sums payable to the Club by way of subscription and share purchase. New memberships will normally be confirmed within one week following receipt of completed membership forms and receipt of membership fees.

All categories of membership cover a 12-month period and should a member decide to cease their membership partway through the year, there is no right to any refund and all remaining standing order payments will be payable.

New members

When a new full member joins, they will be notified of the membership subscription due. The membership fee for new members joining more than one month after 1st April will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.

Initial payment comprising joining fee, part payment, first monthly or annual subscription fee (where applicable) will be due and payable on the date the application for membership is approved. Thereafter, subscription fees are payable either annually, or by an agreed number of instalments, allowing the member to spread the cost over the course of a year, using a standing order arrangement.

Membership cards

When a new member joins the Club, they will be issued with a membership card that can be used for purchases of drinks at the bar. Members may place money on their card using cash or credit/debit card at the clubhouse bar. Using money on the card entitles members to drink discounts that are set by the Club and which may vary from time to time at the Club's discretion.

Each individual member is responsible for the safekeeping of their membership card. If it is damaged, lost or stolen then the office should be notified, and a replacement card requested. The Club encourages members to review the transactions on their cards - details of transactions and account balances and can be accessed via the HowDidIDo app and ClubV1 members Hub.

Membership renewal

Membership will continue indefinitely until notice is received in writing prior that a member who wishes to cease his/her membership. This notice is not required if there is a change to an individual's membership category, or the membership is either suspended or terminated.

The annual renewal subscription becomes due in full on 1st April each year. Members will be advised of the amount due for their membership and any other facilities e.g. locker rental, normally at least 45 days before the renewal date.

Where a member fails to notify his/her intention to renew membership by the date on which subscriptions are due, either in full or by instalments, he/she shall cease to be entitled to any privileges of the Club or to play in the Club competitions unless their subscription is paid in part or in full, as applicable, and their club account will be suspended with immediate effect.

Default on membership payment agreement

Where a member defaults on an agreement to pay their membership fee by instalments, he/she will be notified by the Club Office and given 10 working days to resolve the situation. If a member fails to recommence payment of membership fee instalments by the end of the 10-day period, he/she shall cease to be entitled to any privileges of the Club or to play in Club competitions and their club account will be suspended with immediate effect. Once outstanding fees have been met in full, normal access rights will be reinstated.

Should outstanding balances owed to the Club not be settled within a 30-day period, he/she will cease to me a member.

Debt outstanding over 30 days may be referred to a debt collection agency, with an administration charge applied to the outstanding balance to cover the debt collection charges.

Request to voluntarily suspend membership

Suspension of membership for extenuating personal circumstances is normally granted for a maximum period of one year, with a further period of suspension granted only in exceptional circumstances.

One-year suspension

A member may make a once only application to suspend their membership for a period of one year without affecting their continuity of membership. The request is approved on condition that a fee equal to 10% of the full annual fee for their membership category and all locker rental fees are paid in full at the time of suspension. This entitles the member to all non-playing membership rights including bar discounts.

The application must be submitted writing to the Club, no later than the day prior to the requested year of suspension. If the member wishes to reinstate his/her membership during the year of the suspension, a fee will be payable, calculated on a pro rata basis for the remainder of the playing year.

Medical suspension

A member may apply to suspend his/her membership on medical grounds for a period of between three months to one year. Such a request should be submitted in writing to the Club and include an indication of the period of suspension required and accompanied by medical evidence from a general practitioner or hospital consultant, confirming that he/she is medically incapable of playing golf for the duration of the suspension period.

A minimum fee equivalent to 10% of the full annual fee for the membership category and all locker rental fees due will be levied at the time of suspension.

Where a member has elected to pay his/her fees by instalments and payments on the effective date of suspension exceed the 10% minimum fee level, their instalments will be suspended until they are medically fit to return. Thereafter, with effect from the notified date of return, the subscription due for the remainder of the membership year will be calculated pro rata, on a basis equivalent to 12 equal monthly instalments. If, prior to start date of the suspension period, a member has paid more than the amount due, the difference will be refunded once the suspension period is complete.

Where a member has paid their annual subscription in in full, a refund equal to the period of suspension will be paid once the suspension period is complete.

Any member wishing to request an extension beyond the normal one year limited, must write to the Club no later than 21 days prior to expiry of the one-year period, setting out clearly the reasons for request, together with any relevant supporting medical evidence.

Termination of membership

A member wishing to cancel their membership must give a minimum of seven days notice to the Club in writing. Should a member decide to stop playing golf during the course of the year, no refund is payable, regardless of whether their subscription was paid as a single annual payment or is being paid by instalments. In either case the member remains liable for payment of their annual subscription in full.

A member shall cease to be a member if any subscription or other sum payable by the member to the Club is not paid on the due date and remains unpaid at the end of the period of (two calendar months) 30-days from the due date. The Directors may re-admit to membership any person who ceases to be a member on this ground on him or her paying such reasonable sum as the Directors may determine.

The Club may expel any member on the ground his/her continued membership is harmful to or likely to become harmful to the interests of the Club. The disciplinary procedure to be followed to ensure fair hearing and outcome are set out in the Articles of Association.

Members' guests

Members wishing to introduce guests must observe the relevant Club Rules, in particular:

• The Club reserves the right to refuse entry to guests, including former Members whose membership has been terminated by the Club;
• Guests must pay the appropriate fee to play golf;
• For the duration of permitted use of the Club, guests must observe these Terms and Conditions, including the "Liability Disclaimer", as though they were members;
• Guests must be accompanied on the course or in the clubhouse by the Member introducing them.

Liability disclaimer

The Club does not accept liability for damage or loss to either your property or to a guest's property that may happen on the premises, which includes the car park, the trolley shed and lockers, as well as on the golf course. The exception being, where a liability arises through the Club's gross negligence or failure to take reasonable care to avoid any such losses being incurred.

The Club does not accept liability for the injury or death of any member, child or guest that may happen on the premises or grounds of the Club other than a liability that arises due to the Club's gross negligence or failure to take reasonable care.

Whilst the Club has insurance to cover personal injury to members and guests whilst on club premises and the course, this does not extend to damage and loss to property or equipment. The Club encourages all members to arrange their own insurance cover.

General

Members are asked to advise the Club immediately of any change to their personal details, including change of name, home address, e-mail address and contact telephone numbers.

Members and guests should comply with any reasonable request from Club Staff to facilitate the smooth operation of the club, its facilities and for the convenience of the membership at large.