River Ridge Men's Golf Association (MGA)

For all River Ridge members

We are the MGA

Introduction: The MGA is a non-profit association formed in 1998 to provide all River Ridge male golf members aged 16 years and older with the opportunity to participate in golfing events at the River Ridge Golf Club. Our primary objective is to provide a means for members with golfing interests to meet other RR members, participate in organized events, enjoy the challenge of competition, and improve our golfing ability. The MGA operates its events with an annual budget collected in the form of annual dues from all MGA members. This forms the expenditure pool for participation in such events as the Carolinas Interclub, MGA tournaments, MGA post-tournament gatherings, and the Season Long Competition payout. In past years, the MGA averaged 45-50 paid members and a budget of $2500.00

How to become an MGA member: All River Ridge Golf club members are invited to become members of the MGA with the payment of the annual dues. For 2007, the annual dues are $50.00. A check is preferred and payable to the River Ridge MGA. Personal details including name, address, phone number, and especially e-mail address can be left in the pro shop. Tim Cockrell and his team will ensure that new members get introduced to an MGA director. A prospective MGA member (annual dues not paid) may participate in 2 events to familiarize himself with the MGA and the MGA members. In very rare circumstances, the MGA directors may decline a River Ridge member’s membership payment if the prospective MGA member ‘s behavior would be viewed as detrimental to the MGA.

MGA Directors: MGA directors are elected by the membership at the first meeting of the season (usually in March of each year). All MGA members are encouraged to play a role in the direction of the MGA. Directors are as follows for the 2007 season:
President- Ed Thomas
Secretary and Statistician- Frank Bayno
Treasurer- Mike Bernhardt
Tournament Director- Hugh Bannard
Saturday events- Hugh Bannard and Tom Mariner

Meetings: Meetings take place on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the River Ridge Clubhouse and then as scheduled during the season. Exceptions are posted and e-mailed to all MGA members. The 2007 opening meeting was held on Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 PM. All River Ridge members and non-members were invited to attend. The first meeting of each year is the most important, as any changes to our bylaws for the upcoming season are adopted during this meeting. A quorum of 8 MGA members is required for major changes in our bylaws. The agenda is prepared and posted at least 2 weeks before this annual meeting.

MGA Events: The vast majority of events (held on Saturdays) that are sponsored and run by the MGA are “net score” competitions based on each member’s USGA handicap within the handicap system in the River Ridge pro shop. Official USGA handicaps are updated at the beginning of each month. Instant or trending handicaps are not used.

In general, two separate and distinct competitions are contested at every even; all event monies are returned to the winners as determined by the format that day. Singles, twosome, threesome, and foursome matches are held depending on turnout and variety. Additionally, a separate and distinct season long competition (see below) awards points based on individual net score performance at each event.

The following guidelines apply for all events: the signup deadline is 5:00 PM on each Wednesday preceding every Saturday match. Members are expected to telephone or signup in person at with the pro shop computer. Cancellations are expected no later than 5:00 PM on Friday. In case of emergency, MGA members must call the pro shop to cancel at least 45 minutes prior to start of play. Golfers are expected to be onsite at least 30 minutes before start of play. Failure to notify or show up may lead to suspension of playing privileges in the MGA. For MGA tournaments, longer signup lead-times and payment deadlines are made known with enough notice, usually two weeks before the Saturday of the event.

Slow Play: The MGA does not condone slow play and expects MGA members to set the example for the rest of the members and guests at the River Ridge Golf Club. During MGA events, any group that plays their round in more than 4 hours and 30 minutes, or is more than 15 minutes behind the preceding MGA group, is assessed a two-stroke penalty for the season long competition points calculations and in the event’s payout /placement calculations.

Event Details:
1- Saturday Morning Scramble: With an entry fee of $10.00 per person, this is held every Saturday at 8:00 AM during the summer season (which commences in March and completes in November of each year). Different net score formats are chosen to match the number of players and to provide an assortment of single and team competitions. All money is returned to the winners each Saturday. Single season long competition (see below) points are awarded each week based on lowest net scores. An optional $10 weekly skins competition has proved popular with the members.

2- MGA Tournaments: The MGA hosts a number of tournaments each season, commencing with our winter season close/new summer season opening tournament and culminating in a season final tournament in November to officially close off the season. As we had no volunteers to run the 2006/2007 winter season, this was cancelled. There are 4 formal Saturday tournaments in the summer season. Each tournament has an entry fee of normally $20, and all money is returned to the winners. There are MGA-sponsored closest-to-the-pin on all par-three holes and a straightest drive competition. $25 gift certificates are awarded. In the past, all tournaments have been followed by lunch and refreshments paid by the MGA. Payouts and celebrations take place at the luncheon. Double season long competition (see below) points are awarded based on individual lowest net scores. The four tournament dates for 2007 are (1) Saturday, March 24; (2) Saturday, May 19; (3) Saturday, August 11; (4) Saturday, November 17- 2007 season close.

3- River Ridge Golf Club Tournaments and Events: MGA members are encouraged to participate in all River Ridge tournaments, championships, and other club-hosted events. During these tournaments, no other MGA events are scheduled or conducted. Season long competition points (see below) are awarded when any River Ridge tournament or event format is open to all MGA members and when a net score can be computed. Double points may be awarded for 2-day River Ridge golf events to encourage MGA members to participate.

4- Carolinas Interclub: The MGA supports and encourages participation in the Carolinas Interclub competitions each season. The interclub is based on the best of the last 12 months handicap and is limited to USGA handicaps of 18 and less. Home and home competitions between River Ridge and 3 other local golf clubs are scheduled by the club professionals, and two individual matches and a two-man team match are contested. To date, the interclub matches have been scheduled on weekends during the summer. No season long points are awarded, as the interclub events are not open to all MGA members.

5- The Season Long Competition: Open to all paid-up MGA members and accruing from the date of MGA annual dues payment, this tournament was introduced in the spring of 2001 and has evolved based on experience and MGA member approval. New season changes are discussed and ratified at the season opening meeting. In November 2003, a mini winter season long competition was introduced. The purpose of the season long competition is to foster a larger turnout at all MGA events, provide a season-long spirit of competition and to attract new MGA members by awarding points at every qualifying event. It is based on each net score after the USGA monthly handicap is applied. Individual net scores earn single or double points in tournaments and other special events in the following order: 15 points for best net score, then 12, 9 , 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 points. The top eleven net scores earn a share of the 72 points at stake each week. MGA members may play from any of the men’s three sets of tees after applying the course handicap and the USGA course rating for mixed tee competitions.

Net scores are calculated every week during the season, and a monthly standing (at minimum) is published at the end of each month. After the season-ending tournament, the final standings are calculated and an MGA Champion’s trophy is awarded to the MGA member with the highest number of points. In addition, cash awards of $200 (Champion), $150, $100, and $50 are distributed to the top four golfers that season.

In 2007, the official season start date is Saturday, March 10 and ends on Saturday, November 17. The mini winter season may commence (depending on volunteers to run the season) shortly after the regular season close and ends with the first combined season close/new season opener held on opening day in the following March.

Feedback, suggestions, and comments are welcome. All MGA members are invited to attend regularly scheduled meetings as posted. Since a quorum of 8 members is needed to change or adopt a new bylaw, the MGA secretary will endeavor to ensure that enough members are present to approve the change. If any MGA member wishes to introduce a change or new bylaw, he should communicate the proposal to the secretary, who will in turn ensure that an e-mail notification is issued to all MGA members for which an e-mail address is on file.

Please direct enquiries to Secretary Frank Bayno at 919-773-0167 (home) or by e-mail at Fbayno@nc.rr.com.