Revised and Adopted at the Annual Meeting on June
19, 2007
Foreword
Membership in the Madison Country Club is a
privilege not to be taken lightly. Those
who preceded us invested money, time and perspiration in getting us started and
leading us to this place in our history.
Esther Horne said it well during our Founder’s Day open house:
“We sat on the ground on the
land that we’d bought, our dreams were quite sound and our fears were as
naught. For we envisioned a golf course
right here in our town, we lacked dollar resource but that wouldn’t get us
down. Some brave souls among us let us
borrow their money, and the bee that stung us was full of sweet honey! For we laid out tractors and men, and it
didn’t take much to excite us again. So
the course took on shape and a hundred members signed up, doubters came out to
gape but they stayed to line up! The
swimming pool turned out to be Frank Harrison’s baby, he meant to keep the
germs out and he didn’t mean maybe!
Cliff put down the water along with Joe McCain; they did what they
oughta tho at times it was a pain. The
clubhouse just growed like topsy as they say, when something was owed somebody
would pay. Pot Williams went out with
hamburger one nite and what came about but our Thursday nite bite. At last we hit big time with tournaments and
dances, who knows where we’ll climb, let’s just take our chances.”
The current membership must have the same commitment
as those before us if we are to leave a legacy to our children in the years to
come. This is a charge to you to give
active support to our club through your ideas and participation…
The
Beginning of Madison Country Club
In 1952, the idea of a Country Club for
The Present site was purchased at a cost of $
10,850.00, which was financed by some persons who advanced the money and took a
mortgage as security. These generous
persons were: Cliff Ayer, James Hardee, F.E. Naughton, James Sale, T.L.
Fraleigh, Woodrow Gibson, Van H. Priest, C.P, Kelley, and Mrs. J.E. Hardee, who
loaned the club $ 1,000.00 and Julian Durant, A.F. Harrison and Hyem Kramer who
loaned $ 500.00 Each.
After the purchase of the land the services of Hans
Schmeisser of the Sunset Club in
In September of 1954, the first game of golf was
played on
the course, with construction still underway on some of the greens. The completion of the golf course then
brought up the question of a clubhouse.
The same procedure was followed on the construction of the clubhouse as
was used on the golf course. Through the
combined efforts of members and non-members the clubhouse was started in
October of 1954. Lumber, materials,
labor and finances were donated with 100% participation in the effort of the
clubhouse and furnishings.
In March of 1955 the family night suppers were
inaugurated, and proceeds were used to purchase the furnishings of the clubhouse.
On April 1, 1955 the services of A. B. Grimes,
Pro-Greens keeper were secured.
On April 11, 1955, the board of directors authorized
the President, Mr. James Hardee, to order equipment for the construction of a
swimming pool. Work was completed
through the “Sweat and Tears” of the Club and the Pool was opened June of 1955.
Of the persons who loaned the money for the land,
eight of them have executed their option of securing a life membership in
exchange for their loan, and the club is now functioning with a very small
obligation on a very big project.
Truly the Madison Country Club was accomplished by
the combined efforts of many people, and is now filling a long felt need in the
social and recreational life of
-Reprinted
from August, 1986 Handbook-
Introduction
From a cornfield to one of the finest golf courses
in this section from a tumbledown shanty to a clubhouse second to none-yes,
truly from nothing to swimming pools and playgrounds - all this had been built
on faith and prayer and vision and the good will donations of many, many
people, donations of material and labor and money. When we were children, we
used to read the stories of Horatio Alger and yet, it seems that Horatio Alger
in his most fantastic moment never conceived or wrote any success story that
compares with that of the Madison Country Club.
Our members, unheralded and unsung, have unselfishly
contributed of their means and substances in order to make a reality of a great
and inspiring idea and to fulfill a dire social and recreational of need in our
fair city. When one considers that in
the short space of two years, we have literally expended some sixty odd
thousand dollars in providing much needed facilities on our property, then and
then only, we realize that a miracle has been performed.
With the one idea of helping all of our members to a
full enjoyment of our club, this booklet has been prepared. Careful consideration of its contents will
immeasurably help each member to understand the problems inherent in a large club
such as ours to the end that you may enjoy our club to the fullest and yet not
encroach on the rights and privileges of other members.
It is the fond hope of your board of directors that
this handbook will serve as one more instrument to hold your hopes and
enthusiasms for our club in the rightful place in your heart and that by virtue
of your membership, you will find you life changed for the better.
-Reprinted
from August, 1986 Handbook-
Rules
for use of M.C.C. Facilities and Grounds
The following rules are intended to ensure the proper
use of our facilities and grounds by members, their families and eligible
guests. They are provided for your
information and guidance and we trust they will be useful as you utilize the
club to the greatest extent possible.
Club:
1. Members may use the clubhouse
for entertaining other members at any time by making proper reservations with
the house chairperson or club manager.
2. Members using the clubhouse
shall arrange for proper cleaning of house and premises before and after using.
3. Any member has the right to
take non-members on a tour of the premises for the sole purpose for showing the
non-member our property.
4. Members may entertain out of
county guests at any time and in any way permitted for entertaining regular
members.
5. The clubhouse may not be rented
to a non-member unless they are guests of a member. Members may rent the clubhouse for private
purposes for a fee of $250.00 a day.
This includes use of the dining room, kitchen and adjoining bathrooms.
Rental of the lounge area is $100.00 per day.
6. Except of board approved
functions, the hours of operation of the clubhouse shall be from 8:00 a.m. to
12:00 midnight on weekdays and Sunday, and 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on
Saturdays. It shall be the responsibility
of the individual members to see that the house is properly locked and vacated
at the closing hour.
7. Soft spiked golf shoes are the only approved spiked
shoe allowed. No metal spiked shoes will
be allowed
8. Beverages of any kind are
strictly prohibited from being brought on the club grounds while the pro-shop
is open or during social functions.
9. Members may bring in-county
non-member babysitters for the sole purpose of watching the member’s
children. The member shall be
responsible for the babysitter at all times and should verse the sitter on the
rules of the club prior to entering the premises.
Golf Course:
1. No more than six (6) players
per group. Groups of three to four (3-4)
golfers are recommended during weekend play.
2. Out of county guests may
play the course upon payment of proper green fees.
3. Slow players should allow
faster playing members to play through.
4. Pull carts shall not be
allowed on greens for pulled through sand traps. When play involves any sand trap, proper
raking of the sand trap is mandatory.
Golf carts should not be driven nearer than 25 feet of any green. A driver’s license required when club golf
cart is rented.
5. Automobile traffic on the
course is restricted to M.C.C. service vehicles only.
6. Appropriate golf clothing
and gold/tennis shoes shall be worn while playing.
7. The club is closed on
Mondays with exception of the lounge area, which is open after 5 p.m. When playing after the Pro-Shop is closed,
all payment of fees is on the honor system.
Registration is accomplished by depositing a dated and signed score card
in the box provided by the main entrance to the Pro-Shop.
8. Practicing on the golf
course is prohibited. A practice range
is provided west of hole #5 and a practice putting green is located behind the
club house. “Cross Country Golf” is
prohibited during normal playing hours.
9. The facilities and grounds
may be closed as needed without prior notice.
10. No private carts are to be
brought to M.C.C. A rider’s fee is
enforced.
11. No two single golfers
playing together shall rent separate club owned golf carts. These players must ride together. No more than two adult riders shall occupy
any cart. An adult in a club cart shall
accompany children under age 12.
Swimming Pool:
1. Members may use pool at no
cost.
2. Members may entertain
in-county non-member children in the pool paying $5.00 per person not to exceed
5 guests. Members must accompany these
guests at all times. No exclusive use of
the pool will be granted.
3. Non-swimming children shall
be accompanied at all times by an adult.
4. Persons using the pool shall
not track in or carry sand into the pool.
5. Persons wearing bathing
suits shall not enter the main dining room.
6. Persons wearing bathing
suits may enter the Pro-Shop and restrooms.
7. No night use of the pool
will be permitted except under supervision of adult members.
8. Persons shall not use glass
containers in the vicinity of the pool, and they shall be responsible for
removing any refuse they create.
9. Members may entertain
non-resident non-members at any time and in any way permitted for entertaining
regular members.
Guests:
You may invite guests under the following
circumstances:
1. You must accompany them.
2. You must consider them
potential members of the club and propose sponsorship to the membership
committee. (Information concerning
membership and fees should be obtained from the membership committee).
3.
Invitations of in county non-members shall not
exceed three times. Your guests must be
introduced as guests to our management. The
only tournament participation should be the Jake Sullivan member/guest
tournament. The Board of Directors reserves the right to modify guest
participation in other club functions and/or tournaments prior to the announced
event.
4. Bonafide house guests whose
residence is out-of-county are exempted from the potential membership
criterion. However, they should be accompanied by you or a telephone
arrangement be made with our management.
5. Non-dependent single members
and honorary members (Members under parent’s membership) may invite dates to
all tournaments or social functions.
The above applies to all facilities, clubhouse
functions, golf, and swimming pool.
Dress Code:
Appropriate attire should be worn at all times at
the club.
Golf Course:
1. Shirts with collars are
required for men or appropriate golf dress attire (example: men’s mock golf
shirts are allowed).
2. No short shorts, tank tops,
or mid-drifts are permitted. (Recommended short length is no more than 3-4
inches above the knee).
3. Shorts must have a hem. (No
“Cut-offs”).
4. Shoes are required. (Golf
shoes with soft spikes are recommended for
the safety of the player).
Swimming Pool:
1. Shoes are required when
leaving the fenced area of the pool for the safety of the swimmer.
2. No swimming suits are
permitted on the golf course or in the interior of the clubhouse, lounge or
dining area.
Dress code enforcement is the responsibility of the
club pro and his staff.
Abuse
of these rules could result in denial of privileges or suspension.
Responsibilities of Club
Committees:
1. House and Pool
a. Approve reservations request
b. Maintain a record of all
coming events and reservations
c. Post on the bulletin board a
notice of all scheduled events and reservations.
d. Advise the board of
Maintenance and equipment needs
e. Arrange for needed
maintenance as directed by the board
f. Arrange for regular cleaning
of the area.
g. Ensure the pool is filled by
the Pot Williams Weekend
h. Ensure that regular chemical
checks of the water are conducted between Pot Williams weekend and Labor Day.
2. Membership
a. Receive applications for
memberships
b. Screen applicants and
recommend action of the board
c. Upon approval, meet the
applicants to orient them to membership services, responsibilities and rules.
3. Golf Courses
a. Provide for Maintenance of
the course and grounds as directed by the boards.
b. Advise the board of the
condition of the course and grounds.
c. Recommend to the board
needed and desired improvements to the course and grounds
d. Direct the preparation of
the course for tournament play
4. Golf Tournament
a. Recommend tournaments to the
board
b. Implement arrangements for
each tournament as approved by the board.
c. Direct each tournament
5. Entertainment
a. Arrange for entertainment
during tournaments at the club.
b. Arrange for socials etc. for
inclusion of non golf playing members of the club.
c. Arrange for caterers if
needed for the Pot Williams Tournament and other functions at the club on an as
needed bases.
d. All expenses for
entertainment must be submitted to the board for approval.
6. Investment
a. Maintain and track the
Madison Country Club investment accounts.
b. Make recommendations to the
Board on investment strategies and changes.
c. Ensure that the investments
are taken care of and earning money for the club.
By
Laws of
ARTICLE
I: NAME
Section 1: The name of the club shall be the
Madison Country Club.
ARTICLE
II: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: The membership of the Madison Country Club
shall consist of active members, and they only shall be the holders of
certificates of membership or interest in the corporation as such, entitled to
hold office there in and to vote at club meetings. Other persons may be permitted to limited
privileges of the club, and shall be known as non-resident, honorary, and
junior members.
SECTION
1.1 Any member who has joined the country club under a ‘discounted golf
membership’ where the initiation fee has been waived shall not be allowed to
serve on the Board of Directors, will not have a vote in club business and will
not be allowed to participate in distribution of asset proceeds in the event of
dissolution as indicated in Section 2 of these by-laws.
SECTION 2: Members holding certificates of membership
shall be known as active members, and such members shall enjoy the rights and
privileges accorded generally to all members of the club with membership, his
heirs or legal representatives, to participate proportionately with all members
holding certificates of the net assets of the club upon its final
dissolution. Such active members shall
be men and women of independent means, who are over twenty-one years of age and
who are residents of Madison County, Florida.
Active memberships shall be maintained at about 200 unless at least
seven directors vote to change this number and such members only shall be
entitled to hold office in said corporation, to vote at club meeting and/or to
have a voice in the election of officers and/or the management and control of
its properties and activities.
SECTION 3: Non-resident members shall be men and women of
independent means who are of age and reside outside
SECTION 4: Dependent members are unmarried sons and
daughters and grandchildren of active members, and who are between the ages of
seventeen and twenty-one years, or who, if over twenty-one years of
age, are enrolled full-time students at a
recognized institution of learning or members of the armed forces of United
States of America, and who, within the judgment of the Board of Directors, are
not gainfully employed, and such other non-residents of Madison County,
Florida, as the Board of Directors may designate. Those who no longer qualify for the above
will be granted a sixty (60) day grace period to change their status to active
member. The Board reserves the right to
require students over the age of 21 years still living with their parents (who
are active members) to provide documentation indicating their full-time status
at a recognized institution of learning.
Students not meeting the full-time status will be required to apply for
membership in the club regardless of the location of their residence.
SECTION 5: Junior members shall consist of all
immediate members and grandchildren of the families of
active members who are too young to qualify as dependent members under Section
4 of this ARTICLE.
SECTION 6: Dependent members and junior members
shall be entitled enjoy all the rights and privileges accorded active members,
except as herein otherwise provided, and subject to such rules and regulations
as may be adopted by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7: Application for membership shall be passed
upon by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of at least five active
members. Two adverse votes from the Board of Directors shall be necessary to disapprove
an application and exclude an applicant.
ARTICLE
III: CLUB MANAGEMENT
SECTION 1: By a majority vote the active members shall,
in meeting at which a quorum is present, elect seven Directors to three year
overlapping terms. Two directors shall
be elected each year. They shall
constitute the Board of Directors of the club.
Outgoing directors shall be eligible for re-election in one (1) year. Interim Board members serving less that a
full term shall be eligible immediately for re-election.
SECTION 2: By a
majority vote the active members shall, in meetings at which a quorum is
present, from the membership of the Board of Directors elect a PRESIDENT, VICE
PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND TREASURER who shall serve a term of one year until
their successors shall be elected.
SECTION 3: Vacancies in the Board of Directors of
officers shall be filled at a regular meeting of the Board one week before the
meeting, and the member so chosen shall hold until the next annual
election. All vacancies in the chairmen
of committees shall be filled by the PRESIDENT, and all vacancies in committees
shall be filled by the chairman of such committees.
SECTION 4: Four members
shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5: The books
of the club shall be reviewed by a committee with no less two (2) Board members
not associated with bookkeeping of the club, not less than once each year, and
before each annual meeting.
SECTION 6: The
PRESIDENT, on all applications, shall appoint an admission committee of three
from the Board of Directors, who shall carefully examine into all applicants
and report their findings to the Board.
SECTION 7: The Board of Directors shall from time to time
make such regulations, as it may deem necessary for the management of the club,
its property and affairs.
SECTION 8: The Board
of Directors, in meetings called and held in accordance with the provisions of
the BYLAWS of the club, and at which a quorum is present, shall have power by a
two-thirds vote of those present to censure, suspend, or expel any member for
non-payment of any moneys owing to the club, or for conduct in their judgment
prejudicial to the good name and welfare of the club, provided that ten days
notice be given in writing of charges to members against, whom they are made,
specifying the same, and the time and place, when and where the Board of
Directors will meet to consider the same.
SECTION 9: Deliberations of the Board of Directors so far
as they relate to the candidates for membership or members for suspension or
expulsion shall be secret, and their deliberations held in strict confidence
and action shall be reported in the minutes.
ARTICLE
IV: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The President, or in his absence, the
Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings of the club and the Board of
Directors. If both the President and
Vice-President were absent, then those present may choose a presiding
officer. The President shall, with the
advice and consent of the Board of Directors, appoint such standing committees
from the active members of the club, as the Board of Directors may deem
necessary. Chairman of all standing
committees must be from the Board of Directors.
The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall, at least 30 days before
regular meetings of members at which an election will be held, appoint a
nominating committee, the duties of which shall be examine thoroughly the list
of active members and to select there from desirable members who will be willing
to serve as members of the incoming Board of Directors, and the committee shall
present a written report of its actions to the President at or before said
meeting; provided, however, that such nominations shall in no way prevent of
interfere with nominations from the floor during such meeting.
SECITON 2: The
Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings. He shall give five days notice in writing to
each active member of all meetings of the club.
He shall conduct all correspondence and shall report all applications
for membership to the Board of Directors and shall post on the bulletin board
in the clubhouse the names of all candidates for membership, and all duties
imposed upon him by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: The
treasurer shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements, and shall
furnish the Board of Directors with a statement of such upon demand. He shall collect all entrance fees and dues,
and make all payments when authorized by the Board of Directors. He shall notify all members of their
indebtedness to the club and, in case of a members or members becoming liable
to suspension for failure to pay his indebtedness; he shall immediately report
this fact to the Board.
SECTION 4: A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held once each month and such day as they may select. Called meeting may be held at the discretion
of the President, or on written application from five members of the Board of
Directors to the Secretary, whose duty it shall be to call a meeting of the
Board of Directors in such event.
ARTICLE
V: ENTRANCE FEES, DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
SECTION 1: Active
members shall be permitted to enter the Club in either one of the following
ways, to-wit: (1) upon approval of an application for membership by the Board
of Directors, as provided by the BYLAWS of the club, and the purchase of a
certificate of membership for the sum of $500.00. The certificate of membership so issued shall
not be transferable.
SECTION 2: Non-resident
members may become such upon approval of their application for such membership
by the Board of Directors and upon payment of an entrance or initiation fee of
$ 250.00, for which they shall receive a certificate which shall in no event be
assignable or transferable, and which shall not entitle them, their heirs or
legal representatives to participate
proportionately with active members holding
certificates of membership in the distribution of the proceeds of the net
assets of the club upon its final dissolution, or to hold office in said club,
or to vote at final dissolution, or to hold office in said club, or to vote at
any meeting of the active members thereof, but which shall entitle such
non-resident members, so long as his dues are paid and he conducts himself
according to the rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, to use and
enjoy the clubhouse, golf links, and other recreational facilities of the Club,
just as active members do.
SECTION 3: The dues
to be paid by members of the club, and green fees or other charges for use of
the facilities of the club shall be determined and assessed by action of
two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors of the club.
SECTION 4: The name
of any active or non-resident member who shall fail to pay his or her dues or
assessments thirty days after become due shall be posted in the clubhouse and,
if dues and assessments are still unpaid fifteen days after the names are so
suspension and a copy of this SECTION mailed to such member. After any active or non-resident member
becomes indebted to the club in an amount equal to 12 months dues, he or she
shall be subject and liable to expulsion from the club.
SECTION 5: Any member, active or non-resident, making use
of the rights and privileges of the club while under suspension shall be
punished by expulsion.
SECTION 6: Upon the suspension or expulsion of any active
member for nonpayment of dues, or otherwise, the rights and privileges of
honorary and junior members acquired by reason of their relationship to such
active member shall be terminated.
SECTION 7: Any
member, active or non-resident, having been expelled for nonpayment of dues,
may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors after he or she
shall have paid all dues and assessments due at the time of his or her
expulsion, and a reinstatement fee of $150.00.
SECTION 7a: Any member in good standing at his own request
in writing, stating his reason therefore, may be demitted and his dues will
thereupon cease, and may thereafter be reinstated at a fee of $ 100.00;
provided, however, that Board of Directors shall establish such rules and
regulations in reference to demitted members and outstanding debits, including
the right of the Board of Directors to call in said demits upon due notice to
the last known address, and to make any other rule pertaining to said demit as
they may deem necessary or advisable for the best interest of the club.
SECTION 8: Newly elected members shall pay dues within
thirty days after notice of their election, or said election becomes void. Notice of election shall be sent to such
newly elected member by the Secretary immediately following such election.
ARTICLE
VI: CLUB MEETINGS
SECTION 1: The annual
meeting of the Club shall be held during the month of June each year. Notice of annual meetings shall be given in
writing by the Secretary at least ten days before same.
SECTION 2: A special
meeting of the club shall be called by the President when directed by the Board
of Directors, or when he shall be requested to do so in writing by ten active
members of
the club. No
business shall be transacted at a special meeting except that which is
mentioned in the call. Notice of called
meetings of the club shall be mailed to each member five days before such
meeting, the object of which shall be stated in the notice.