Effective 01/01/22 | Amended 08/24/2021
Violations of these R&R and Policies should be reported in writing to the Bylaws/Rules Committee or a member of the Board of Directors via the Pines’ Business Office. The Bylaws/Rules Committee will investigate violations and make recommendations to the Board. The Board will take appropriate action. Such actions may consist of a letter of warning, suspension, expulsion, or other actions so designated within the Bylaws.
The Pines will not abide any behavior, verbal or nonverbal, by any individual (Pines’ members, family members, guests, or public patrons of the lessee) on the premises of the Pines that is considered inappropriate, abusive, verbally and/or physically threatening towards another person, their property, or property of the Pines. Such behavior will be considered a violation of these R&R, Policies and/or the Bylaws of the Pines. Appropriate action, as defined within the Bylaws, Article III, section 10, Member Violations will be followed. Assaults toward and/or upon another person or any property will result in immediate suspension and/or expulsion by the Board. Legal authorities will be contacted for removal from the Pines’ premises, if warranted.
It is The Pines’ policy that all Pines’ members, their families, guests, and employees have the right to participate and work in an environment at the Pines that is free from harassment and discrimination, which encompasses freedom from sexual harassment. The Pines strongly condemns sexual harassment in any form by all members, their family members, guests, and employees. Prohibited sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to the following: unwelcome sexual advances; unwelcome touching; requests for sexual favors; verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that may be threatening, intimidating, hostile, offensive or insinuate influence over one’s being, position, or ability to do one’s job; commentary about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words to describe an individual, offensive comments, off color language or jokes, innuendoes, or the display of sexually suggestive objects, books, magazines, photos, cartoons, or pictures. Such behaviors, harassment, will be considered in violation of these R&R, Policies and/or Bylaws of the Pines.
The Pines provides its members and guests with an environment that is conducive to the enjoyment of recreational and social gatherings. The Pines is committed to act responsibly in the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The Pines and/or its food service lessee, therefore, reserve the right to refuse the service of alcoholic beverages to anyone who, in the best judgment of the wait staff, may jeopardize his/her safety or the safety of others. Alcoholic beverages will not be served to anyone less than twenty-one (21) years of age. Valid identification is required. Because the Pines or its lessee maintains an ABCC license, all alcoholic beverages consumed on club property must be purchased from the Pines or its lessee.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is expected to be done in moderation so as to not impair judgment or behavior. Should behavior by anyone (Pines’ members, their family or guests, or public patrons of the lessee) violate any Pines’ Bylaws and/or R&R, appropriate action, as defined within Article III, section 10, Member Violations will be followed.
For the safety and well-being of all, The Pines’ staff or its lessee employees are prohibited from transporting any individual who has been consuming alcoholic beverages. If an impaired individual requests transportation, the Pines will do its best to arrange such transportation at the expense of the individual.
All of the Pines’ property, including the golf practice areas, is a smoke-free environment and free of all other substances (i.e. vaping and tobacco products, etc.), except for the golf course and the uncovered deck. Consumers of all such products and their resulting wastes (i.e., spittle, cigarette and cigar butts, chew and snuff products, etc.), are totally responsible for providing their own disposal containers and for the removal of all such products from the Pines property. No illegal substances are allowed on the Pines’ premises at any time. Non-compliance of this policy will be a violation of the Pines’ Bylaws, Policies and R&R.
The use or sale of any illegal drug or substance at the Pines is forbidden. The sale of any prescription drug at the Pines is also forbidden. Any member, guest, or employee who violates this policy will be reported to the authorities. Members violating the policy will be immediately suspended by the Board pending adjudication of the offense. Guests in violation of this policy will not be permitted to return to the Pines. Employees in violation of this policy will be terminated.
In order to respect the Pines CC and its members, proper attire befitting a private country club is to be worn by all individuals (members, guests, public patrons of a lessee, management, wait staff serving the membership and public) while on the premises of the Pines.
The Golf Course – As a member of the West Virginia Golf Association (WVGA), The Pines will maintain the WVGA requirements for golf course attire for every golfer: soft spikes or spikeless shoes are required; all clothing is to be neat, clean and in good condition; all men’s shirts must have collars or a mock turtleneck; appropriate golf attire for men and women is required. Denim wear, cargo pants, jogging attire, tank tops, T-shirts and halter-tops are not permitted. Baseball style golf hats must be worn with the bill forward. Members are requested to inform their guests of this policy, which will be strictly enforced.
The Swimming Pool – The pool area requires appropriate bathing attire, no street clothes, denim shorts, or thong bathing suits are permitted. Outside the pool area, a proper cover-up and proper safe footwear is required. Swimwear is not permitted in the club house. Members are requested to inform their guests of this policy, which will be strictly enforced.
The Clubhouse – The Clubhouse (restaurant, banquet halls, lounge, grillroom and deck) requires proper attire befitting a private country club where dining and socialization occurs by ALL patrons (public, guests, and members). Shirts and shoes are always required. Proper attire is expected and defined as being clean, neat and in good condition. Proper golfing attire to dressy casual is permitted and expected. No jogging attire, tank tops, or halter tops are permitted at any time.
Men’s hats, golf hats, caps, and visors may be worn in the grill room downstairs and the deck, but are not allowed upstairs.
When weather, capable of producing lightning, approaches the area, all golfers should use extreme caution. If a lightning storm is imminent, the golf staff will sound a siren. When the siren sounds, all golfers are required to leave the course or seek shelter immediately. Golf carts are not lightning proof. Do not shelter under a tree as they conduct lightning to the ground. Outside activities may resume when authorized by the Pro Shop staff. Golfers, resuming play, are expected to immediately return to the course at their previous location and resume play. Golfers not abiding by this will lose their position on the course. Please also note that lightning is difficult to predict and the lack of a siren warning on any occasion is no assurance of safety against lightning.
The Pines, its Board and employees make every reasonable effort to provide clean, well-maintained and safe environments, facilities, and equipment. All persons on the premises of the Pines (employees, members, guests or visitors), either working, using or visiting (the Clubhouse, the parking lot, the pool facility, all golfing/practice areas, and especially while operating golfing equipment) are to conduct themselves in an alert, cautious, safe and responsible manner at all times. All such persons are also responsible for their own property and their own behavior. Given such, all persons assume the risk of personal injury, including the possibility of death or a permanent condition and/or loss of personal property and are responsible for any resulting damage, injury, or harm which may have been caused by their own actions to another person, their property, or the property of the Pines. These persons release the Pines, its Board and employees, from any and all liability for injury or loss. Egregious acts of behavior and/or neglect rest solely with the violator (members, employees, guests, visitors or the Pines).
Any damages to the Pines, its furnishings, equipment, or supplies caused by a member, their family members, guests, visitors, employees or the public will be held financially responsible for the monetary damages. The member’s charge account will be billed accordingly. Damages by the public will be assessed and properly billed.
To ensure that the quality and integrity of the Pines is maintained, all members are required to promptly pay their dues and fees as defined within the Pines Bylaws and in accordance with their signed Pines Annual Contract/Billing Agreement (PAC/BA).
All members will have an established monthly charge account with an account number. All monthly charges (dues, fees, golf cart fees, pro shop expenditures, etc.), may be charged to said account. Monthly statements of charges are mailed each month and are due upon receipt or by the last day of each month following the charges, the billing due date.
All members whose accounts are past due will be denied use any of the Pines’ facilities and charging privileges until such time as all accounts are brought current.
Respect for other golfers
Enjoyment of the game depends on course etiquette, mutual respect, and consideration of other players. Accordingly, players are expected to replace divots, rake traps, repair ball marks, and maintain an appropriate pace of play. Jumping around the course looking for open holes to play is not permitted. Players are also expected to treat other players with courtesy and respect. Players should not engage in threatening or provocative actions toward others. Such behaviors show a lack of decorum and are unbecoming of members of the Pines.
Golf Course Hours
It is mandatory that all golfers register in the Pro Shop before they commence play. Such registration allows the pro shop to know who is on the course in the event of an emergency and to provide the Board of Directors an important metric. No golfers are allowed on the golf course before the official starting time.
It is essential that the grounds maintenance crews have ample undisturbed time, free from golfers, to maintain the excellent condition of our course. The golf course will open on weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and on weekends and holidays at 7:00 a.m., weather permitting. This applies to everyone, with no exceptions. Early groups playing at a fast pace must be cognizant of the ground maintenance crews and are reminded to not interfere with their ability to do their job. (This may mean waiting for a period of time for work to be completed, or skipping a hole)
The golf course, putting green, and practice range will be closed every Thursday morning until 12:00 noon. This closure will give our maintenance crew important time to work uninterrupted, and will allow the course to rest. This will further improve the excellent condition of our golf course. The head golf professional and assistant professional may use the facilities for teaching during this time.
During the season (March 1st through November 30th), and except for holidays, the Senior Men’s Association has priority on the course on Monday mornings, the Legends Senior Men’s Group on Wednesday and Friday mornings, and the Pines’ Women’s Golf Association has priority on the course on Tuesday mornings. These groups have priority for tee times: Senior Men’s Association at 8:30am, Legends at 9:00am and Women’s at 9:00am. The number of tee times needed will be determined with the Pro Shop, and each group will have a shotgun start backwards, beginning at hole number 1. These days and times will prevail except on holidays or as modified by the Board of Directors. During the off-season (December 1st through February 28th), the golf course hours will vary according to the weather.
If weather conditions do not permit golfers to be playing the course, or impose a hazard to golfers or the course, signs will be posted outside the pro shop and on the First (1st) and Tenth (10th) tees indicating that the golf course is closed.
Members will be issued a permanent bag tag. Tags must be displayed at all times. If your tag is not displayed or if you have not signed in, the Ranger or designee will ask you to leave the course.
Guests are required to register at the pro shop prior to commencing play and will be issued a bag tag for the day. Tags must be displayed at all times. If a tag is not displayed or if a member and/or guest does not sign in, the staff will ask that member and/or guest to leave the course.
The Golf Professional, either personally or through the staff, is responsible for starting all golfers. In the Golf Professional’s absence, that responsibility will rest with the designated person in the pro shop. Normally, all play will begin on the first hole. Starting on the tenth hole requires permission from the pro shop. Golfers given permission to start on the tenth hole must ensure that there is not a group on the ninth hole. Groups are expected to report to the starter at the first tee in a timely manner.
The starter will exercise their best judgment regarding the start of each group. The starter will utilize the tee time sheet, observed condition of play on the course, and the readiness of all groups present in order to exercise his/her best judgment. The starter can be flexible in utilizing the tee time sheet. A group will be considered late when that group is late by more than 5 (five) minutes past their assigned tee time. The starter may move the next group(s) up, provided they are all ready to play. When the late group becomes present, they will be given the next open tee time. The starter has total discretion as to when to start the late group.
Players who are playing 18 holes are expected to continue play after the ninth hole. If players stop for lunch or for an extended period of time for other purposes, they will automatically lose their position on the course. Any player or group who voluntarily leaves the course for any reason (weather delays signaled by the siren are exempted), loses their position on the course. Such a person or group must be restarted by the pro shop that will endeavor to find an open hole on which the player or group may be restarted. If no such hole is available, the group will be restarted on the first hole.
Play is under the supervision of the Golf Professional and the golf staff. Normal play is in a foursome. Single players are allowed, but they have no priority on the course. Fivesomes are not allowed except at the discretion of the Golf Professional or his assistant. Any violation of this rule will result in appropriate sanctions. The pro shop and the starter will endeavor to combine players into foursomes whenever possible..
All junior golfers are to abide by the Pines’ Policies and R&R governing the operation of the golf course at all times. Junior golfers and their use of the golf course are defined as:
Grandchildren (aged 18 and younger) of stockholders in good standing may play for free, provided they play with the member. There is no set limit on how many rounds, but please do not abuse this privilege.
Caution: The Pines Country Club has been struck by lightning numerous times. Reference Lightning Policy with this R&R and Policy document for details.
When weather or an emergency arises and a round of golf is unable to be completed, the practice of the Pines is to provide rain checks for members and refunds for guests for the current calendar year. The Pro Shop maintains an established scale for determining the amount of the rain check/refund:
Reference the Dress Code Policy within this R&R and Policy document.
Golfers are expected to play in a timely manner. It is expected that players will complete nine holes in less than two (2) hours, and eighteen holes in less than (4) four hours, five (5) minutes. No more than three (3) minutes is permitted for searching for a ball. Slow players are expected to permit a trailing group to play through, provided that the next hole is open. Slow play can be a problem, and it is important to remember that it is the pace of play, not the time it takes to travel the course that causes slow play. Be ready to play when it is your turn, and keep up with the group ahead. The golf staff is authorized to require a group which is lagging, to pick up and proceed to the next tee if they have become more than a hole behind the group ahead.
On weekends and other selected days, each group will be timed. Any group taking more than four (4) hours five (5) minutes [4:05] and is not keeping up with the previous group, will be issued a warning letter. Repeated violations of Pace of Play may result in the loss of weekend playing privileges.
Golfers are permitted to play music on the golf course provided it is in agreement within your golfing group and cannot be heard by another group.
Except on holidays, members are permitted to walk and carry their clubs or use push/pull cart at any time Monday through Friday. All golfers are required to use club-owned motorized riding golf carts between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the golf season. Guests are required to pay for a golf cart at all times during the year. Fees for golf cart rentals are available in the pro shop. Only licensed drivers sixteen (16) years of age and older may operate the motorized riding golf carts.
Personal push carts, both manual and battery driven, are not permitted closer than ten (10) yards/ thirty (30) feet from the greens and within two (2) yards/ six (6) feet of the teeing areas. Signage or chalk lines marking limits of cart usage are to be respected. In NO CASE are push carts to be taken across teeing grounds, greens or between greens and greenside bunkers.
Golfers may not put their golf bags on the greens or fringes of the greens.
Members are encouraged to establish a USGA handicap. The Pines uses the USGA “GHIN” system. Members are expected to edit and post all 18-hole scores for rounds played at the Pines, as well as scores from other golf clubs. Official handicaps are required to participate in Pines-sponsored events. If a player does not have an official handicap, that player must play at scratch or such other handicap assigned by the Golf Professional.
To ensure optimal playing conditions, it is absolutely essential that all members and their guests respect the golf course and the grounds maintenance crews.
It is the responsibility of each member and their guest(s) to maintain or improve course conditions during play. Ball marks found on the greens are to be repaired. Divots in the fairway are to be repaired, replaced, or filled with sand mix. Bunkers are to be raked after playing from one, and the rakes are to be left outside the bunkers, preferably to the side or rear of the bunker, not between the bunker and the green.
Under some circumstances, it may be necessary to interrupt play for course maintenance activities. Be mindful of employees’ safety as you play through.
When the range is closed for maintenance, no practicing is permitted until the range is reopened.
Guests are welcome subject to these rules and regulations.
Golf club and cart storage is available for a fee. Storage is under the supervision of the pro shop and fees for this service are established by the Board. Club repair is also handled in the pro shop. The Pines does not assume liability for golf clubs or carts that are stored at the Pines.
Members and/or guests must sign for a golf cart when they register at the pro shop. Persons who sign for the cart will be responsible for any damage that occurs to the cart.
The management of the Pines’ pool is under the jurisdiction of the Pool Committee of the Board of Directors. The pool lifeguards are in charge of the daily operations of the pool. The directives of the lifeguards are to be followed.
All Pines’ Bylaws, Policies and Rules and Regulations apply to all areas of the Pines’ pool operations and surrounding area.
No member or guest may directly reprimand or go against the instructions of the employees of the Pines’ pool. Complaints or concerns are to be addressed, in writing, to the Pool Committee or Board designee via the business office. Disregard of pool directives or health and safety rules will be in violation of these Bylaws, Policies and Rules and Regulations.
Opening and closing for the year:
In general, the pool will be open daily beginning the weekend of Memorial Day and will close at the end of Labor Day. The Board may make changes to these dates. The hours of operation will be set by the Board and may be changed or limited as the season progresses.
Health and Safety Rules:
Pool Guest Privileges:
Members of the Pines and Pool Privilege Members will be permitted to bring four (4) guests to the pool on any given day. A “Guest” (adult or child) is any non-Pines member entering the pool facilities area (whether they swim or not). Reference the Dress Code Policy within this R&R and Policy document.
Grandchildren (aged 18 and younger) of stockholders in good standing may swim for free. All aforementioned standards/rules of the pool must be met. There is a limit of 5 grandchildren per visit.
Members are: 1) to accompany each guest(s), 2) to register each guest at the pool entrance, and 3) to be charged for each guest via the member’s monthly account.