EPPA CONSTITUTION

1. The organisation shall be known as The European Pitch and Putt Association or in abbreviated form, EPPA.  EPPA is a non-profit making association established to promote the game of Pitch and Putt throughout the continent of Europe. 

B. OBJECTIVES

1. To organise and regulate international competition between member countries.

2. To assist the exchange of information between member countries.

3. To promote a policy of Fair Play, Protection of Children and a Drugs' free environment in pitch and putt.

4. To promote a non sexist and non racial environment in Pitch and Putt  

5. To promote close cooperative relations with national and international golf federations, while maintaining Pitch and Putt's separate and independent identity.

C. MEMBERSHIP

1. The founding members of EPPA are:

- Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland (PPUI).

- British Pitch and Putt Association (BPPA).

- Associacio Catalana de Pitch and Putt (ACPP).

- Association Francaise des Golfs "Pitch and Putt" (AFGPP).

- Nederlandse Pitch and Putt Bond (NPPB).

- Federazione Italiana Pitch and Putt (FIP&P).

2. Membership shall be open to any other organisation or body of pitch and putt in Europe, subject to the approval of the existing members, on completion of the requisite application form and payment of the appropriate fees.

3. Applications for membership from an organisation or body located in a country already in membership of EPPA shall only be accepted with the consent of the existing member of EPPA in that country or on the production of documentary evidence from the appropriate Government or Governing Body for the sport of pitch and putt in that country.

4. Membership fee of EPPA is (to be decided at September 2000 meeting) subject to review at the first EPPA Council meeting each year 

5. An Organisation, which does not as yet have any recognised Pitch and Putt courses, may apply for associate membership of EPPA. Such associate membership will be granted subject to the approval of the existing members. Such associate members shall entitled to send two observers to each EPPA meeting but shall have no voting rights. When such organisation has a minimum of one recognised Pitch and Putt course, it may apply for full membership in the terms of C. 2.

D.  HOME ASSOCIATION

1. The Constitution of EPPA hereby recognises the right of each member to legislate for the game in its own territory in accordance with its own Constitution and stated aims.  

Rule D. 1. may only be changed with the unanimous approval of all members.

E.  COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL AND BOARD

1. The Council is the supreme governing body of EPPA and shall consist of two delegates nominated by each member.

2. They shall elect from within that Council five Executive Officers/Board Members - a President, a Vice President and three Board Members who will carry on the business of EPPA between Council meetings.

3. On election the President will assume an independent role and will not be entitled to an ordinary vote.

4. The home association of the President shall nominate another delegate to replace him/her as a delegate to the Council.

5. The term of office for the Executive Officers/Board Members shall be two years.

6. Board Members shall be eligible for re-election but the President may serve for a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms.

7. Election of Executive Officers shall take place at the first EPPA Council Meeting every second year commencing in 2000.  The nominees must be adults and in full possession of their civil rights.  

8. There will be a Permanent Secretariat located, for the time being, in Dublin , with a Secretary General in charge.

9. The Secretary General will report to the Board and will deal with day to day matters executing the decisions of either the Council or the Board.

F.  VOTING

1. Each member shall be entitled to one vote at each Council meeting of EPPA subject to there being at least one delegate or officer representing that member present at the meeting.

2. In the event of equality of votes the President or member presiding shall have a casting vote.

3. In the event of equality of votes at Board level the President or member presiding shall have a casting vote.

G.  MEETINGS

1. At least one Council meeting of EPPA shall take place each year.  Such meeting to be held before the 31st March. The business of the meeting shall be to receive the accounts and to set membership subscriptions, the election of Executive Officers (every second year) and any other business of which notice has been given to members at least fourteen days before the meeting 

2. The quorum shall be fixed at 50%+1 members (associations) to include at least two of the Executive Officers/Board Members.

3. Arrangements for each meeting shall be agreed at the previous meeting.

4. The elected Executive Officers/Board Members will meet as necessary. 

5. A Special Council Meeting can be called by a request by two-thirds of the members to the Secretary General in writing stating the nature of the business to be discussed or by a two-thirds majority at an ordinary Council meeting of EPPA.

6. The Special Council Meeting shall be held within thirty days of the request to the Secretary General being received or of the resolution being passed at a meeting of EPPA.

7. No business shall be discussed at the Special Council Meeting except as specified in the motion.

H.  COMPROMISE RULES

For the purpose of staging international events either organised by E.P.P.A. or between members, the following compromise rules have been agreed as a basis to establish E.P.P.A.

1. Distances  ( a )         Length of hole : Maximum of 90 metres.
                    ( b )         Length of 18 hole course: Maximum of 1,200 metres.

2. Maximum of three clubs (one of which must be a putter) permitted for use.

3. Tees . Not obligatory - except in Ireland .

4. Eligibility.  No P.G.A. golfers permitted to play. A period of five years residence required to play for a country other than that of birth.  

Note:   Rules 1 - 4 inclusive may only be changed with the unanimous agreement of all members.

I.   EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

1. To be staged by EPPA every two years commencing in 2001.

2. The venue to be decided at the first Council meeting of EPPA in the year preceding the championships.

3. Any internal costs incurred in the selection of a venue to be met by the host association who may recoup this domestically through their clubs or other sources. Each association shall be responsible for their own expenses incurred in travelling to the host country to select a venue for the championship.

4. The closing date for receipt of entries shall be 30th September in the year preceding the championship.

5. Entry Fee is 400 Euros with 300 Euros to be refunded on participation in the championship.  

6. The format of the championship to be decided at a Council meeting of EPPA subsequent to the closing date.

7. Each association shall be responsible for their own expenses incurred in travelling to the host country of the championship.  The host association shall be responsible for accommodation and meals of all competitors during the championship.

8. The Council of EPPA reserves the right to make the required arrangements including the format, rules of play, and times of play as deemed necessary for the conduct of the championship. either individual or team which it rightfully decides to stage.

J. OTHER EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

1.      The Council of EPPA reserves the right to make the required arrangements including the format, rules of play, and times of play as deemed necessary for the conduct of any other championship either individual or team, junior or ladies,  which it rightfully decides to stage.

K. DRUGS TESTING  

1.      Competitors travelling to another member country should make themselves fully conversant with any drug testing procedure, which may operate in that country.  

L. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION  

1.      Motions for amendments to this Constitution will be accepted only for the first Council Meeting to be held in 2002, and every second year thereafter except as otherwise provided for in this Constitution  

2.      A two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the appropriate Council meeting or Special Council meeting shall be required to amend this Constitution as permitted.