Problems with new De Vere points scheme membership

[steverichy]

I have an issue with Herons Reach regarding eligibility to play golf in their competitions, it does state on your website:


"The De Vere Club membership is a flexible way of undertaking your golf and
leisure activities that can be used for the golf fanatic as well as the entire
family at any of De Vere’s world class golf resorts. It is a points base scheme
that enables all of our members to hold the more traditional elements of a golf
membership such as hold a handicap and play in club competitions but with the
added flexibility of a modern membership scheme."

and this is taken from the FAQ's on De Vere membership page:

Can I play in club competitions?
As a De Vere club member you are able to play in any club events
at your home club. Your home club is where you originally purchase
your points.

Do I receive any other benefits?
You will receive full member benefits, to find out more call your home club.

I was a platinum member until April 2011 and then I decided to join a golf club nearer home and that was to be my home club, I didn't want to sever my ties completely with Herons Reach as I had entered some open matchplay tournaments with Ian Bullock from Herons Reach and that was our home club. I looked into the recently launched points scheme and it seemed like the perfect answer! I could use my points to play in club competitions at Herons Reach and I definitely wanted to play in the Club Championship.

Now I was aware that to play in board competitions a player had to have an active handicap, achieved by playing in three qualifying competitions which I had already done at Herons Reach, I had also competed in numerous club competitions at Knott End Golf Club.

It came as a total surprise that Herons Reach had decided to try and exclude players from the Club Championship on the basis that they are classed as an away player, it does not mention any of this on the website or in any promotional literature and as a fully paid up member of Herons Reach I was not getting "Full Member Benefits" nor was I "able to play in any club events at your home club. Your home club is where you originally purchase your points".

I feel that the actions of the people making up these rules are incorrect, not acting in the spirit of golf, certainly not in keeping with how you market membership of The De Vere Golf Club and possibly illegal, any comments would be welcome>

 

[ADB]

Welcome to the forum, I think we are not the intended recipients to your post though...

 

[DCB]

Does the attached club have a Constitution ? It should detail all eligiblity criteria for playing in their competitions.

Which club is your Home club from a handicap point of view ?

 

[steverichy]

I'm not sure if they have a Constitution, should they have one? Also the decision to exclude away players was taken at an informal meeting, I have requested the minutes of that meeting plus a copy of the Constitution.
My home club is Knott End Golf Club.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum.

As a "local" I know quite a few people who play at Herons Reach and there are certainly a lot of noises being made about DVC members. To me, if you are a member (and that's the deal here) then there's no way you should be excluded from any club activity as per the De Vere blurb. The fact that your handicap is at Knott End and you are an AWAY player should be irrelevant. I'd have a serious word with the committee and if need be with De Vere management.

Wonder if there are any other members of De Vere courses on here who may have an opinion as the DVC scheme is operational at all of the venues.

 

[jasondransfieldgolf]

I am attached at De Vere Wychwood Park and know for fact that this year's Captain is doing all he can to get DVC members to play in the competitions and be part of the club so there is no divide between those people that became members before the DVC scheme came into force and the DVC members.

What I will add is that you have to pay a CONGU levy of £15 to be able to play in competitions, I believe this levy is normally within a years membership, but the De Vere membership is slightly different.

I am sure a word with the general manager of Herons Reach, put your views across should really cause some positive action to be taken.

 

[Doh]

It sound to me that the Membership which forms the "Club" has made a decision that go's against the De Vere policy, So it might not be De Vere's fault as such.