General Statement

These rules and regulations apply to all members, their families, guests, and greens fee players.

Club members are asked to afford all golfers courtesy, consideration, and assistance. Anyone failing to follow these rules and regulations is subject to action deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, including, but not limited to, verbal and written warnings, suspension of playing/cart privileges, and/or revocation of membership. Decisions or actions leading to disciplinary action of a members or guest of Newport Country Club rest solely with the Board of Directors. These decisions may be appealed in person to the Board.

1. Membership Guidelines
2. House Rules
3. Playing Rules
4. Cart Rules
5. Course Ranger and/or Starter
6. Restrictions on Course Use

A. General Criteria

All persons joining Newport Country Club shall be deemed by the Membership Committee as individuals who:

• will obey all Club rules;
• will support the Club's programs and activities;
• display a knowledge of golf and willingness to learn proper golf etiquette
  and behavior;
• will meet other appropriate criteria set by the Board of Directors and/or
  Membership Committee.

B. Membership Guidelines

1. Types of Membership

1. Adult - Individuals over 18 years of age who are not full-time high school or College students.
2. Husband/Wife - Married couples have a special discounted rate.
3. College Student - Individuals attending college as registered full-time under-graduate students who have not reached their 23rd birthday by April 1st of the golfing season. Yearly application required.
4. Junior - Young adults up to high school.
5. High School Student - Student 19 or younger enrolled in high school on 
   April 1st of that golfing season.

All college/junior/high school students must provide their dates of birth when they buy a membership.

2. Membership Limits

1. The number of adult members is limited by the Board of Directors. Adult members are those described in sections a and b above.
2. When the adult membership level has been reached, a waiting list will be established for those individuals interested in becoming members.
3. All members must meet a yearly deadline for full payment of membership
   in order to ensure continued membership. That date has been established by the Board as April 1st of each golf season.

3. Waiting List

A waiting list, when applicable, will be maintained and administered by the
Membership Committee.

The waiting list process will be administered without regard to race, gender, religion, country of natural origin, sexual orientation, or political persuasion.

4. Waiting List Categories

Category I - Present member's family including spouse, minor children who have been junior or college members prior to full-time membership application.
Category II - All other applicants according to postmark date of completed application.

Persons in all categories will meet the general criteria.

5. General Criteria for Filling All Vacancies

Anyone filling a vacancy must be accepted by the Membership Committee as an individual who:

• will support the Club in its programs and activities;
• displays a knowledge of, or willingness to learn, proper golf etiquette and behavior;
• will meet other criteria deemed appropriate by the Membership Committee.

6. Membership Information

1. A mailing to all members will be done in January with all dues and fees (carts, lockers) to be paid by April 1st of each season. This allows sufficient time to fill pending vacancies.
2. All membership applications will be dated as to postmark and forwarded to the Membership Committee.
3. Decisions of the Membership Committee are by majority vote and will be
   considered final, subject to review by the Board of Directors.

Initiation Fee - All new Adult Members shall pay an initiation fee as determined by the Board, which shall include a share of Newport Country Club stock. Persons already owning stock may deduct $25.00 from the initiation fee.
Exception - Persons who did not renew their memberships for the previous two seasons, or less, may rejoin for a $25.00 initiation fee.

Leaves of Absence - Written requests for Leaves of Absence must be received prior to the golfing season and will be granted on an individual basis.

Refunds - Valid requests, in writing, for a refund of dues will be honored as follows:

• Prior to the start of the season, full refund less $25.00 processing fee;
• Prior to June 15, one-half of the yearly membership, less the handicap fee;
• Prior to July 1, one-third of the year membership, less the handicap fee.

There will be no refunds or credits issued after July 1st as it becomes too late to backfill membership slots.

1. Unless otherwise posted, the clubhouse and locker rooms will be open between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
2. Members are responsible for their children at all times and shall not expect the golf professional or clubhouse staff to act as "baby sitters."
3. Proper golfing attire, preferably a collared shirt, slacks or shorts of proper 
   length, and suitable golf footwear with proper soles must be worn at all times. No tank tops, clothing with offensive or lewd messages, cut-off jeans, jogging shorts, or bathing suits are to be worn in the clubhouse or on the course.
4. All persons will refrain at all times from loud outbursts, profanity, and vulgar or abusive language in the clubhouse or on the course.
5. The responsibility for controlling excessive drinking lies with each and every individual, as well as the clubhouse staff. Abusive conduct or misuse of the course or clubhouse facilities and services WILL NOT be tolerated, and will result in appropriate action by the Board of Directors as outlined in the General Statement.
6. All laws and regulations of the Vermont Department of Liquor Control pertaining to the display, sale, serving, and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be STRICTLY FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES.
7. All requests for use of the clubhouse will be directed to the Chair of the Clubhouse Committee who shall process such requests.

It is the responsibility of all players to observe the etiquette of golf at all times. Replace your divots, repair your ball marks, and rake your footprints from sand traps. Take care not to spike the greens, observe all cart signs and maintain proper distances from the greens and tees. Because we value the condition of our course, ALL PLAYERS are encouraged to repair ball marks, spike marks, replace divots or rake traps neglected by less considerate players.

1. At the start of the golf season, the golf course shall be open for play by 7 a.m. and will close to play at sunset or 9 p.m., whichever comes first.  Members may reserve a tee time ten days in advance.  Non-members may reserve a tee time seven days in advance.
2. Each player must have his/her own clubs.
3. Only threesomes and foursomes will be allowed off the first tee between 7 a.m. and noon on weekends and holidays. Groups of fewer players may be permitted off the first tee with prior approval and at the discretion of the golf professional, person designated by him/her, or the starter or course ranger. These individuals shall have the authority to join single players and twosomes on the first tee. EXCEPTION: Club matches may be played in twosomes with prior approval of the golf professional.
4. Slow players shall let faster golfers play though. If any group fails to keep pace for more than two consecutive holes, it must allow the following group to play through. Players may be asked by the ranger to speed up play. Beginners and slower players are discouraged from using the course on weekends and holidays between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Fridays from noon on. A single player has no standing and should give way to a match of any kind.
5. Players searching for a lost ball should signal the group behind them to play through as soon as it is apparent that the ball will not be easily found. In all instances, FIVE MINUTES IS THE MAXIMUM TIME allowed to look for a lost ball. Players are encouraged to hit a provisional ball if the first ball is thought to be lost.
6. Cutting in is prohibited, especially on the tenth tee. Please refer to the sign on that tee. Any players stopping in the clubhouse for refreshments must occupy the tenth tee before the trailing or next group arrives, or they will lose their position and may not continue play without the permission of the golf professional or starter.

1. All members, guests, and greens fee players shall respect and follow all rules relating to cart paths, cart usage, and cart restrictions. All cart signs, ropes, and markings must be strictly obeyed. These rules shall also include verbal instructions regarding restrictions given to a member or guest by the golf professional, starter, or ranger, or golf course superintendent who shall have the final say.
2. Individuals who are under 15 years of age may not drive any golf cart -- private or rentals -- on the club property.
3. Only two players and two sets of golf clubs are permitted per motorized rental golf cart, unless prior permission granted by the golf professional.
4. Owners of private motorized carts may not allow their carts to be used by 
   anyone other than IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS.  There shall never be more than two persons registered as the owners of either a private or lease rental cart.
5. Persons operating a motorized cart do so at their own risk. Drivers (members, guests, or greens fee players) will be held responsible for any and all damages and/or injuries caused by such carts, including damages to the Club's rental carts. Reimbursement shall be required for damages the Club may sustain by misuse of any motorized cart. Members will NOT LEAVE THEIR KEYS in their carts. Reckless use of a motorized cart will result in action deemed appropriate by the Board.
6. Private motorized cart owners should be able to provide proof of insurance for their carts if requested or required. The Club bears no responsibility for your cart.
7. Members owning motorized carts may not store their carts on club property 
   without a valid cart storage sticker. Members who purchase a rental space and fail to occupy that space by July 1st, will lose that space. Members may NOT RENT, LOAN OUT, OR SELL cart spaces.
8. Owners of private motorized carts may retain the same reserved space each season by notifying the Club in writing of their intention to do so, and by paying for their cart storage in advance of the season as noted in the annual membership letter.
9. The sale of a member's motorized cart to another member DOES NOT CONVEY cart storage or use privileges to the new owner.
10. No more than one motorized cart will be allowed for two persons playing 
    together, and no more than two motorized carts will be allowed for four persons playing together.
11. Members and/or guests who have a disability preventing them from walking 
    comfortably may obtain a handicap pennant from the pro shop. Players displaying such pennants are permitted to park as close as 25' from the green, but NO CLOSER. Carts must always be parked in the rough on the sides or at the back of the green, NEVER on the front approach of the green. On par 3's, handicapped players may use the 90 degree rule but MUST NOT drive directly down the fairway to the ball. The use of handicap pennants is a privilege based on the honor system and it is expected that all will treat it as such. When the need for such pennant no longer exists, players are expected to stop displaying it and resume abiding by the regular course rules for carts.

1. The course ranger and/or starter has full authority to enforce all rules of the Club as they apply to play, including:
   • the makeup of each group;
   • the speed of play;
   • the conduct of play; and
   • the care of the golf course.
2. The ranger may in the exercise of his duties:
   • instruct players to pick up the pace of play;
   • instruct groups to step aside for faster groups;
   • advise players on the care of the course;
   • report infractions directly to the golf professional or Board of Directors, and
   • remove a player from the course for foul or abusive treatment or language, and/or abuse of the course.
3. The Board of Directors will take disciplinary action against any member or guest failing to obey the course ranger, the starter, or the golf professional, or who abuses such personnel.

The golf professional may waive any of the restrictions below during periods of light play.

1. Green fees may be restricted during periods of heavy play.
2. The course is closed to greens fee players and non-league members for night leagues: Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (18 holes), and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (9 holes).
3. Junior members playing alone or with fellow junior members shall not play 
   before 2 p.m. on weekends and holidays, nor between noon and 6 p.m. on 
   Fridays. However, any junior member thirteen or older who has successfully
   completed the Club's junior lesson program, or who can clearly demonstrate an ability to play golf and follow its rules, may be invited to play with an adult member at any time, with PRIOR PERMISSION of the golf professional. The adult member will be responsible for the conduct of the junior member during such rounds. 
4. AT NO TIME shall a member or greens fee player allow a non-golfer to 
   accompany a group WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION of the golf professional.
5. Infants, toddlers, and young children are NOT allowed on the golf course at 
   any time. EXCEPTION: Junior members or youngsters involved with the Club's junior golf program and high school or junior high school players granted temporary playing privileges by the Board are allowed on the course.

Note: Where applicable, the term golf professional shall also refer to any person so designated by him/her.

THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NEWPORT COUNTRY CLUB. THEY REMAIN IN FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL AMENDED BY SAID BOARD.

The NCC rules and regulations have been created for the benefit of our members and guests. The Board of Directors welcomes constructive suggestions to alter, change, add, eliminate or exempt our members from the current rules. Any changes or exemptions shall be at the discretion of the Board, keeping the interests of all members in mind.