2026 NIST GA Bylaws

2026 NIST Golf Association By-Laws

Revised: March 25, 2026 (see changes)

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Golf Association (GA).

ARTICLE II. Purpose

The objectives of the NIST GA are to provide for competition amongst NIST employees in a friendly spirit, exercise and relaxation, and to promote an interest in golf.

ARTICLE III. Membership

A member of the NIST GA shall meet the following:

An active or retired NIST employee, a past employee of NIST, or an immediate family member (16 years old) of a current GA member, and

A Member or Friend of SEBA, and

Has paid the annual GA dues.

A member is a senior member if that member is 60 years of age prior to the planned first day of play.

ARTICLE IV. Officers

President - The President shall preside over all meetings of the GA, the Outing and Awards Committee (OAC), and the Rules Committee and make appointments to Committees as necessary with representation from each division. The President, or his designate, shall decide if scheduled play is to be canceled because of inclement weather, at least one hour before scheduled tee time, or at the golf course, if necessary.

Vice President - The V/P shall assume the duties of the President in his absence and serve on the Outing and Awards Committee.

Secretary/Treasurer - The S/T shall keep the records and proceedings of the meetings, collect and disburse all funds, submit an annual report to the Auditing Committee, and serve on the Outing and Awards Committee.

Scorekeeper - The S/K shall assign teams to divisions, schedule match play, and compile and publish handicaps, statistics, and standings on a weekly basis throughout the season, and serve on the Outing and Awards Committee.

ARTICLE V. Meetings

The annual meeting shall be held during the month of February or March on a date specified by the President. Special meetings may be called by the President throughout the year. The President shall notify all members of any meeting at least two weeks in advance.

ARTICLE VI. Committees

List of Committees

Rules Committees (8)
Outing and Awards Committee (4)

All committees shall be appointed by the President prior to League play.

Duties of Committees

Rules Committee - the Rules Committee shall consist of eight members, the four Officers and a representative from each division. The Rules Committee shall meet at the request of the President and rule on all disputes and protests. Members involved in a dispute shall not serve on the Rules Committee.
Outing and Awards Committee - The Outing and Awards Committee, comprised of the four Officers and at least 2 regular members, shall be responsible for the conduct and operations of all field day events, including but not limited to scheduling, banquet, trophies, and prizes.

ARTICLE VII. Finances

The annual membership fee dues shall be determined at the annual meeting and shall be paid prior to the beginning of league play. Individuals will pay greens fee prior to their rounds each week. The Officers shall not pay annual membership dues and the S/K shall not pay match play green fees.

ARTICLE VIII. Terms of Office

The Officers shall serve for approximately one year, commencing at the close of business at the annual meeting. The Officers may be reelected.

ARTICLE IX. Election of Officers

The nomination and election of Officers shall be as follows:

Nominations of candidates for each office may be made from the floor at the annual meeting, provided that each nomination from the floor is seconded by at least two members.

No candidate may be nominated without his or her consent, nor can any person may be nominated for more than one office.

Election of Officers, to be held at the annual meeting, shall be by a show of hands and a plurality of the members present and voting shall be necessary to elect the officers.

ARTICLE X. Quorum

Twenty-five (25) percent of the membership shall be required at any annual or special meeting of the general GA membership. Business shall be conducted by a majority of those members present and voting.

Four members of the Rules Committee shall constitute a quorum. A majority of the members present and voting shall be necessary to rule on all disputes and protests and approve all rules of play.

ARTICLE XI. Parliamentary Procedure

Issues on parliamentary procedure are resolved according to Robert's Rules of Order.

ARTICLE XII.Changes to the By-Laws

Changes to the By-Laws shall be made at the annual meeting. A two-thirds majority of the members present and voting shall be necessary for adoption. In the event of an emergency ruling or change required, the Officers and/or Rules Committee may communicate this change via email distribution to the membership.

ARTICLE XIII. Formation of Leagues and Divisions

The GA shall consist of one league divided into two divisions as follows

The league will be comprised of Divisions A and B. (or adapted as needed,2019 - 2 divisions, A and B)

The S/K, before the start of each season, shall rank all of the team handicaps and divide the total ranks into the separate divisions, A and B. Team rankings will be determined based on a weighted average (number of rounds played in the previous year) of each member of the team.

A team shall consist of at least two (2) and no more than four (4) members.

ARTICLE XIV. Handicaps

New players should play 18 holes to determine their division and handicaps, if not already established. A new player with a USGA handicap may use 90% of one-half of that as an initial handicap, slope corrected. The calculation is: (Handicap Index) x (SLP/113) * (0.9) = Initial GA Handicap. Where SLP equals the current local slope (ex. 121).

Players with established handicaps from the last season will begin a new season with the last season's final handicap. Senior members with a previous GA handicap based on white tee play and electing to play the senior tees shall have their prior white tee handicap lowered by 1 stroke. White Tee - Men (under 60), Gold/Orange Tee - Senior, Green Tee - Women, Super Senior (75+)

Handicaps shall be calculated in accordance with the following schedule:

Number of Rounds

Calculation

1

80%

2

85% of average score

3

90% of average of 2 best scores

4-6

95% of average of 3 best scores

7-8

95% of average of 4 best scores

9+

95% of average of 4 best of last 8

For handicap purposes, the maximum score for any hole shall not exceed the values in the following table:

Handicap
Maximum score on any hole

0-9

2 more than par

10-18

3 more than par

19+

4 more than par

Note: The official scorecard turned in after a match, must reflect the raw and handicapped scores.

No player shall give more than 2 strokes per hole. (this applies to both medal and stroke play)

Substitutes without established handicaps shall be handicapped on the basis of their first match and the results of the first match determined accordingly. In such a case, the actual scorecard is to be turned in to the S/K.

All handicaps shall be calculated on the basis of medal play. All handicaps are calculated based on the rating for the tee played.

Any team or substitute league member playing as a substitute in a match shall have their score applied to their handicap calculation (Article XVIII, item 2f).

Handicaps to be used for each round of the playoffs are calculated based on 95% of the average of the best Y match scores for the entire regular season, including playoff scores, where Y=INT(#matches/2). If less than 8 matches were played, then the calculation shall follow Article XIV, Item 3.

Play in NISTGA outings shall be included in the handicap computation for league play. The final score for each nine, adjusted for excess strokes on each hole, shall have 50% of the course rating subtracted, shall be multiplied by the ratio of the course rating to the Crossvines rating, rounded to the nearest integer, and then posted to the NISTGA scoring database.

ARTICLE XV. Substitutes

Any person that is a NIST golf league member, an active, retired, or past employee of NIST, and is a member of SEBA may play as a substitute except as limited by Parts 2 and 3 of this article.

A team may be represented by two substitutes for any match except when a team is playing in the division and championship play-offs. In play-offs, the team shall be represented by at least one regular team member and a substitute that has played in at least four previous league matches in that season or a regular league member whose team is not involved in the playoffs.

In non-playoff matches, a regular team member may play as a substitute for another team, as long as that team is not playing against the member's team. In playoffs, substitution is governed by Article XV, item 2.

ARTICLE XVI. Scoring/Play

Golfers shall play head-to-head matches with golfers on the opposing teams. Highest handicap player plays highest handicap and the lowest handicap player plays the lowest handicap (regardless of the tee played). If handicaps are the same, the pairing shall be determined by random selection. Substitutes without handicaps shall play in the position of the team member they are substituting for.

Senior members who chose to play from the senior tees must make that selection at the time of team signup and must play those tees for the entire year.

Scoring for nine-hole matches shall be as follows:

One point for each hole won in individual match play (1/2 point each in case of a tie).
Three points for low net score in individual stroke play (1-1/2 points each in case of a tie).
Three points for low team net score (1-1/2 points each team in case of a tie). Note: On this basis the teams will be competing for a total of 27 points, unless a penalty or forfeit is involved, in which Article XVIII shall apply.

All matches shall be played on the league designated course on the same day. When any match cannot be completed because of inclement weather, the following applies:

When fewer than five holes are completed by any team, the matches for the entire league shall be replayed (nine holes).
When five or more holes are completed, the match is complete and the USGA handicapping rules apply, i.e., each players score for the unplayed holes shall be on the basis of net par.
The medal (stroke) points shall then be computed in the normal manner,and all remaining match points are halved.
Example: When 5 holes or more are completed by the slowest team, the match is effectively over. The medal (stroke) play points are awarded on the basis of the holes played. The match play points are determined on the basis of the holes played, plus each of the unplayed holes is halved.

For handicapping purposes, it is necessary to complete the score card. The gross scores must be marked on the card for each of the unplayed holes. On any unplayed hole for which a player would receive 1 handicap stroke (based on the actual handicap, not the difference with the opponent), the gross score is 1 over par (net par); 2 handicap strokes, 2 over par; no handicap strokes, par. Only for the purpose of handicap, the round is then totaled.

ARTICLE XVII. Playoffs, Post-season

The team from each division with the most accumulated points for each half shall be a division half winner and enter the playoffs. If the same team wins both halves then the second place team from either half with the most season points shall be the second entrant into the playoffs. In the event of a tie for either half playoff position the tie shall be broken on the basis of most intra-division points accumulated in the half, or, if still tied, most head-to-head points accumulated in the half, or, if still tied, by coin flip.

Two wildcard teams shall be selected for the playoffs. The team from each division that has not already qualified for the playoffs and has the most total season points (both halves) shall be the wildcard selection from that division for the playoffs. In the event of a tie it shall be decided on the basis of most intra-division points accumulated during the season, or, if still tied, most head-to-head points accumulated during the season, or, if still tied, by coin flip.

The playoff schedule shall be as follows:

First week: Division winners shall be seeded based on total season points accumulated, or if tied on total intra-division points accumulated, or if still tied on a coin flip. The top seed in each division shall have a bye for the first week of the playoffs. The first week match will then be between the second division seed and the wildcard team.
Second week: The winner in the first week division match shall play the top seed from that division. This match determines each division champion.
Third week: The two division champions shall play a final match to determine the NIST GA League Champion.

The firm schedule for each playoff round is each Wednesday following the final regular season week, pending the weather call, at our regular tee times and front/back schedule set by Crossvines. All playoff rounds are nine holes. If you cannot make a match be sure to get a substitute. Anyone not involved in playoffs can sub (see Article XV).

A tie at the end of any playoff match shall be settled by the play of another hole (in the normal course rotation) with 3 points in play (one point for each individual match, offset handicap adjusted, and one for net team total), with additional holes played as necessary.

To be eligible for league prizes and trophies, a league member shall have participated in at least 30 % of official league matches.

The Golf Association Match Play Champion shall be determined as follows:

A member of the Association is eligible if that member has completed 7 or more matches during regular league play. Play against a virtual golfer shall count towards the 7 match requirement but not towards the win percentage.
The member with the most wins during the season shall be ranked #1. The top 3 members with the best win percentage ((wins + 0.5 * ties) / total matches played) shall be eligible, and shall be ranked 2 through 4 based on that percentage. Ties shall be broken by the following criteria: i. most rounds played, ii. best win percentage in head-to-head play against the tied member(s), iii. random selection by the scorekeeper.
The elimination match shall consist of two 9 hole, match play rounds, using playoff handicaps. The top and fourth ranked players and the second and third ranked players shall be matched for the 9 hole elimination match. The winner of each elimination match shall then play a 9 hole match for the championship. Ideally, this could be completed in one 18 hole round, where all 4 match play competitors particpate. Ties in any match shall be broken by playing extra holes in the normal rotation.
The Match Play Champion matches shall be played within three weeks of the completion of regular season play. If an eligible player is unavailable during this period the next available eligible player shall be selected. If the match is not completed within the three week requirement the President shall schedule a tee time for the first available eligible members.

In the final week of regular season play, consisting of playoff and fun rounds, the playoff rounds will be scheduled to be the first off so that they can finish under the best light conditions.

ARTICLE XVIII. Postponements, Unopposed Play, Discontinued Play, Partial Play, and Protests

A match shall be considered unopposed when the following criteria are met:

The scheduled tee time has passed or the time the tee first became available in the scheduled start rotation, whichever is later, and
One of the members of the match has hit their second shot.

Example: Your group's scheduled tee time is 4:14. There is a rain delay. Your turn at the tee actually arrives at 4:36. You can then tee off and once any person in the group has hit their second shot the forfeiture is official (provided the match is completed).

Except that a team with both members present may voluntarily postpone their start to the end of the queue and a late player may join the match at the first accessible tee where no player has hit their second shot, in which case the match shall be scored as a partially played match (see 3, below).

In the case of unopposed holes the following applies:

If one player fails to appear for the scheduled match, then he/she is awarded 0 match play points and the overall medal points (3) CANNOT be awarded to the team with the missing player. The opposing players compete for 12 points. The unopposed player plays a virtual golfer with scoring as given in sub-item g. Thus, the team fielding 2 players can win a maximum of 27 points, and the team with one player, a maximum of 12 points. The team fielding two players selects which one plays against the virtual golfer.
If a team fails to appear for a scheduled match, both members of the opposing team shall play the virtual golfer. Overall medal points are based upon play against the virtual team total, i.e., 2 * par + 18 (27 point match)
If only one player is available from each team, they shall play a head-to-head match and the team net score (3 points) shall not be awarded. Thus, a total of 12 points only can be awarded.
If only one player from both teams is available to play, that person plays the virtual golfer. (12 pt match)
If neither team is represented no points are awarded.
Individual scores, when unopposed, are applicable in computing handicaps.
Each unopposed player shall play a virtual golfer. The virtual golfer scores a net bogey for every hole and has the same handicap as the unopposed player. This gives the virtual golfer a medal net score of 45 for the front and 44 for the back nine. Match and medal points are awarded as per ARTICLE XVI, items 2a and 2b. The team score for the team with a missing player is the net score of the player present plus the assigned medal net score of the virtual golfer (45-front 9, 44-back 9).

If a match is incomplete because a player either a) arrives after other participants in his or her match have teed off, or, b) discontinues play for any reason (e.g., personal, injury, illness, failure to stay at the course for 30 minutes following a weather delay), the match would be scored as follows:

The unplayed holes would be scored using the virtual golfer rules, with the total score for the defaulting player being the sum of scores posted by the defaulting player on the contested holes, plus net bogeys (ala virtual golfer) for the unplayed holes. This 'hybrid' total would then be the mark to tie or beat for determining individual match play points and match play winner. Individual match play points (for the holes actually competed) are the only individual points the defaulting player is eligible for; individual medal points can only accrue to the opponent, if the score so dictates. The 3 overall team medal points will be awarded as usual and both teams are eligible, provided that the teammate of the defaulting player has completed the full round. If not, only the opposing team is eligible for these points.
For the defaulting player the outcome of the match play will become part of the match play record, no matter how many holes are played and the match will count in terms of the eligibility for the match play championship. However, the 'hybrid' score will be used in the computation of handicap only if the hybrid score is equal to or lower than the player's current handicapped value.
For the defaulting player's opponent, the match will count in terms of the 9-match eligibility for the match play championship. This player's score will also be counted towards handicap calculation. However, a win or loss will only be part of the match play record if at least 5 opposed holes are played.
For a late arriving player who elects to enter his or her match after opponents have teed off on the first hole (with current 15-min grace period still defining the tee-off time)

the first hole of eligibility for play is as per above
for players teeing off for any hole, there is to be no elective delay for the purpose of waiting for a late arriving player
scoring will be as in a and b above

Protests shall be lodged in writing on the Weekly Score Sheet, or an attachment to same, and submitted at the conclusion of the round in question. The Rules Committee shall rule on the protest within forty-eight (48) hours. The match point totals will be awarded according to the Rules Committee decision and the teams involved in the protest will be notified of the decision prior to the next round.

ARTICLE XIX. Cancellation of Matches

The President shall have responsibility for canceling matches. (See Duties of President)

The NIST GA shall cancel regularly scheduled matches on days that all of NIST is administratively closed before the end of the normal workday. This includes situations in which NIST is administratively closed for the entire day.

Regular season matches cancelled for any reason, shall be rescheduled for the following week and the remaining matches shall be moved back accordingly so that the season will not be shortened.

Notice of cancellation shall be given by the President via the email distribution list (seba-golf@nist.gov) and via NIST phone system. (301-975-2508)

Changes made to this document

July 17, 2018 - updated formation language for league to three divisions (ARTICLE XIII.)

March 12, 2020 - Updated bylaws with changes from 2019 - about divisions, new selection for top 4 match play participants

September 28, 2021 - Updated the schedule for playoffs based on smaller league size and 9 hole restrictions

April 26, 2022 - updated parts of bylaws based on changes for 2022 season.

April 29, 2023 - updated that regular members can sub for any team except the opposition of that member's team.

August 7, 2025, September 20,2025 - formatting updates were made.

March 25, 2026, - Separated rules of play, clarification of language, and formatting updates were made.

Information on this page was updated on: March 28, 2026