ARTICLE I – Name, Form of Organization, and Purpose:

1.1 Name. The name of the organization is the Triple Cities Golf Association, Inc. (“TCGA”).

1.2 Non-profit and tax-exempt status. The Corporation is organized as a non-profit corporation under New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and is not tax exempt. 

1.3 Territory. The TCGA Territory (“Territory”) includes the New York State counties of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, and Tioga and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania counties of Susquehanna and Bradford.

1.4 Membership. Any member in good standing of an organized golf club within the Territory shall be eligible for membership provided the following:

1. The club is a permanent club composed of individual dues paying members and/or daily fee paying players that participate in organized golf activities, or any eClub organized and certified by the NYSGA to operate in the TCGA Territory, and
2. The club provides the USGA Handicap Index® (GHIN) service.
3. To compete in TCGA competitions, an entrant must be a TCGA member with an active GHIN Handicap from a club within the TCGA Territory, or reside in the TCGA Territory and have an active NYSGA/TCGA GC membership. The entrant must pay the designated entry fee and comply with all rules established for the competition. 

1.5 Purpose.

1. To encourage and promote golfing activities of people in the Southern Tier of New York and surrounding communities.
2. To participate in the formulation of rules and conduct governing “competitions” among the members and to cooperate with the New York State Golf Association and the United States Golf Association. 
3. To cooperate with other organizations in the establishment of rules and conduct of golf competitions.
4. To exercise jurisdiction over activities carried on by the members and to enforce the by-laws and rules of the TCGA upon members who are subject to its jurisdiction.
5. To promote the best interests, the competitions, and good fellowship of golf throughout the Southern Tier and surrounding communities.

ARTICLE II – Officers:

2.1 Officers. There shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a General Counsel.

2.2 Election. The members shall elect the officers. 

2.3 Terms. The officers shall serve a term of at least two years, or until they succeed themselves, or until their successors are elected.

2.4 Succession. The Board shall present a qualified list of candidates for election as the Officers at the appropriate annual meeting. It shall take a quorum vote of the members to have a candidate elected. In the event of a tie, the majority vote of the Board of Directors shall decide. In the event of no quorum present at the annual meeting, the previously elected officers shall continue to serve in their respective position.

2.5 Removal. It shall take a vote of 75% of the members at the annual meeting to impeach and remove an elected officer.

2.6 Inability to Serve. If an elected officer is unable to complete the two-year term the Board of Directors will appoint a person to act in that capacity until the next annual meeting. At the next annual meeting a candidate shall be elected as stipulated in Section 2.4, but whose term will only run for the duration of the unexpired term.

ARTICLE III – Directors:

3.1 Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of seven persons. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be members of the Board. The three other Directors shall be elected by the voting members and shall serve two-year terms.

ARTICLE IV – Executive Committee:

4.1 Executive Committee. The TCGA Executive Committee (“Executive Committee”) shall consist of the Officers and ad-hoc committee chairs appointed by a majority vote of the Officers. The President shall be chairman of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall direct the affairs of the TCGA between annual meetings.

4.2 Executive Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet at the request of the President and two members shall constitute a quorum.

4.3 Duties.

1. President. The President shall chair all meetings or appoint a delegate, who shall be the Vice-President unless the Vice-President is unable to attend. The President shall also be at least an ex-officio member of all committees.
2. Vice-President. In absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President. They shall also keep full records of the golf competitions.
3. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the TCGA and the Board of Directors. They shall also keep a Membership Roll and assist the Vice-President in keeping full records of the golf competitions.
4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect all revenues and make all disbursements for the TCGA. They shall submit a written report of all receipts and expenditures during the year at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE V – Annual Meeting:

5.1 Annual Meeting. The TCGA Annual Meeting will be held each year on or before November fifteen. At least ten days’ written or electronic notice shall be given to members.

5.2 Other Meetings. Other meetings held by the TCGA shall be held at such a time as designated by the President. At least two days’ written or electronic notice shall be given to the members.

5.3 Voting. Each member is entitled to one vote on any matter that comes to the floor, but may authorize any number of delegates to attend annual or other meetings. Representation of three members shall constitute a quorum at the TCGA Annual Meeting and other meetings.

5.4 Proxies. Proxies shall not be recognized, however real-time electronic communication may be utilized to vote on motions brought forth during meetings.

ARTICLE VI – Association Affairs:

6.1 The control and management of the TCGA, its affairs, and its competitions shall be entrusted to the Executive Committee.

6.2 The Executive Committee shall be empowered to discuss and act upon all matters on behalf of the TCGA during the periods between the TCGA Annual Meetings.

6.3 The Executive Committee shall meet at the request of the President and two members will constitute a quorum.

6.4 The Executive Committee may act without a meeting provided the resolution or matter to be acted on is provided electronically to all members of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII – Dues and Other Income:

7.1 Dues. The Executive Committee shall determine the annual dues of members and the entry fees for all competitions. As of 2025, dues are based on the NYSGA/TCGA Collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”). The MOU shall continue in perpetuity until an updated agreement is signed by representatives of both parties, or until the agreement is terminated by one or both of the parties.

7.2 Income. Income and receipts from dues, competition entries, and other sources of income shall be used for prizes, awards, scholarships, administration, and other expenses as authorized by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII – Committees:

8.1 Committees. The President shall appoint Committee Chairperson(s) as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the TCGA. The following are permanent committees: Junior Golf; Senior Golf; Women’s Golf, and Scholarship.

8.2 Junior Golf. The Junior Golf Committee shall be responsible to schedule and conduct all official TCGA Junior competitions and events.

8.3 Senior Golf. The Senior Golf Committee shall be responsible to schedule and conduct all official TCGA Senior competitions and events.

8.4 Women’s Golf. The Women’s Golf Committee shall be responsible to schedule and conduct all official TCGA “Women’s” competitions and events.

8.5 Scholarship. The Scholarship Committee shall solicit applications for scholarships, review academic records, interview prospective recipients, and present their recommendations to the Executive Committee for approval.

8.6 Ad Hoc. The President may appoint ad hoc committees that are temporary and are assigned for a specific purpose.

ARTICLE IX – Competition Rules:

9.1 All competitions shall be conducted in accordance with TCGA Policies, the USGA Rules of Golf, and with any approved local rules.

ARTICLE X – Amendments:

10.1 Amendments to the By-Laws and Constitution may be made at the TCGA Annual Meeting by a majority vote of the members present, provided ten days’ written notice has been given, stating the proposed revision or amendment.