Platinum Clubs® of America has been the pinnacle of recognition in the Private Club industry since its establishment in 1997.
Presented by Club Leaders Forum, the designation is firmly acknowledged as the most revered standard of achievement for Private Clubs across the United States, honoring the top 1% of Clubs that demonstrate Excellence across operations, Member experience, and leadership.
The success of Platinum Clubs® of America laid the foundation for the program's global expansion. As new Clubs emerged in markets around the world, the Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board approved the introduction of Platinum Clubs® of the World in 2011, followed by Platinum Clubs® of Asia-Pacific in 2019 and the incorporation of the Middle East into Platinum Clubs® of Europe in 2023.
Club Leaders Forum is honored to present the 2027–2028 Platinum Clubs® of America Election.
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Key Dates - 2027-2028 Election
JULY 13, 2026
Preliminary Ballot Releases & Club Presentation Submission Opens
AUGUST 10, 2026
Club Presentation Submission Closes
AUGUST 31, 2026
Voting Begins
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
Voting Concludes
OCTOBER 14, 2026
Results Announced
Election Categories
The 2027–2028 Platinum Clubs® of America Election recognizes Excellence across six categories. In total, 320 Clubs will earn the honor of Platinum designation in the upcoming election.
Country Clubs are typically defined as full-service Clubs with "Country Club" in the official name, offering a wide variety of social, lifestyle, racquet, wellness, and recreational facilities and amenities in addition to Golf.
Golf Clubs are typically defined as facilities with "Golf Club" in the official name. They are golf-centric, offering only a golf course or courses and practice facilities with Clubhouse amenities. In addition, some Clubs offer fitness and wellness facilities.
City Clubs are typically defined as Clubs with "City Club" in their official name and are located in urban areas. City Clubs offer business meeting and banquet/function rooms, Member dining, athletic, wellness and fitness facilities. In addition, some City Clubs provide hotel rooms.
Yacht Clubs typically contain the word "Yacht" in their name and offer a marina, slips, and boating amenities, with Clubhouse facilities offering dining and recreational amenities.
Athletic Clubs are typically defined as Clubs with "Athletic Club" in their official name. Most Athletic Clubs have limited dining, meeting, and other recreational facilities. Some Clubs founded as Athletic Clubs, which have evolved over time, have requested to be included in the Athletic Clubs category. Other Clubs, including Racquet Clubs, are also included in the Athletic Club category.
Beach Clubs are typically defined as facilities with "Beach" in the official name, centered around a beachfront or coastal lifestyle experience. They emphasize beach access, waterfront amenities, dining, social engagement, and recreational programming. Some Beach Clubs may offer additional amenities including fitness, wellness, racquet sports, boating, or aquatic activities.
Clubs may only be recognized in one category. The Club's official name is the primary consideration for the appropriate category designation unless requested by the Club and approved by the Advisory Board.
The Ballot
A Preliminary Ballot will be distributed to Private Club Managers across the country. Managers have the opportunity to nominate additional Clubs for the Final Ballot.
Nominated Clubs approved by the Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board are included on the Final Ballot, which is distributed by a third-party election manager.
The Union League of Philadelphia
A Platinum Club® of America and the World
The Vote
The vote is conducted electronically and confidentially through a third-party election manager.
Two Ballots are distributed to over 4,100 Private Clubs across the United States: one for the General Manager, COO, or CEO, and one for the Club Chairman, President, Commodore, or Owner. Voters are asked to select and rank Clubs over a 4-week voting period.
The total number of points received by each Club is divided by the number of voters to determine the average score. Minimum vote thresholds apply by category.
Seven Selection Criteria
Platinum Club® status holds significant importance, delivering pride to the Clubs, Members, and Staff.
Each Club acknowledged as a Platinum Club demonstrates Excellence, Best Practices, and reverence for the Seven Selection Criteria. Additionally, identifying these Platinum Clubs serves as a guiding light for aspiring Clubs, providing them with exemplary models to benchmark for their own growth and development.
1
Universal Recognition
2
Excellence in Operations, Amenities, and Facilities
3
Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels
4
Engagement and Commitment of Membership
5
Governance and Prudent Fiscal Management
6
Adapting to Changing Times
7
Overall Experience
Club Presentation Submission
Clubs on the Ballot are encouraged to submit a Club Presentation to showcase how their Club meets or exceeds the Seven Selection Criteria. During the voting process, a link to each Club's Presentation Submission will appear on the Official Election Ballot for voters to review.
Club Presentation Submission Opens: July 13, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 10, 2026
Congressional Country Club - Bethesda, MD
A Platinum Club® of America and the World
The Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board
Guiding Club Leaders Forum is an international Advisory Board composed of accomplished and respected General Managers, COOs, and CEOs.
These individuals have excelled throughout their careers at some of the world's most prestigious Platinum Clubs. Club Leaders Forum and the Advisory Board oversee Platinum Clubs® of America, the World, Asia-Pacific, and Europe & Middle East programs.
MICHAEL McCARTHY
Addison Reserve Country Club
Delray Beach, FL, USA
MATTHEW ALLNATT
Jonathan Club
Los Angeles, CA, USA
AMBER READ
Piedmont Driving Club
Atlanta, GA, USA
TRISTAN HALL
Sunningdale Golf Club
Ascot, United Kingdom
KEVIN BOZADA
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, GA, USA
ATILLA KARDAS
Jupiter Hills Club
Tequesta, FL, USA
JAVIER REVIRIEGO
Real Club Valderrama
Sotogrande, Cádiz, Spain
PETER JACKMAN
Terminal City Club
Vancouver, BC, Canada
ALBERT COSTANTINI
Canoe Brook Country Club
Summit, NJ, USA
JOSEPH "JJ" WAGNER
The Minneapolis Club
Minneapolis, MN, USA
VANESSA CLIFFORD
Royal Thames Yacht Club
London, United Kingdom
JEFF McFADDEN
The Union League of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, USA
MITCHELL PLATT
Cosmos Club
Washington, D.C., USA
TIM MUESSLE
The Olympic Club
San Francisco, CA, USA
JOHN MEAGHER
St. Francis Yacht Club
San Francisco, CA, USA
STEVE CENICOLA
The Vintage Club
Indian Wells, CA, USA
Legacy Members
The Club Leaders Forum Legacy Members Program is designed to recognize and retain the experience, wisdom, and leadership of respected individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the advancement of Private Clubs, hospitality leadership, and the global Club Leaders Forum community.
Legacy Members represent a select group of former executives, Club leaders, industry innovators, and advisors whose careers have shaped the standards of Excellence within the Private Club industry. While many Legacy Members have transitioned from active executive roles, their knowledge and insight remain invaluable to the next generation of Club leadership.
KEVIN VITALE
Baltusrol Golf Club
Springfield, NJ, USA
JOHN DORMAN
The University Club - New York
New York, NY, USA
CHUCK NELSON
Washington Athletic Club
Seattle, WA, USA
DWIGHT JENSON
Yacht Club of Stone Harbor
Stone Harbor, NJ, USA
Platinum Status
Recognition as a Platinum Club® of America is the most meaningful distinction a Private Club can hold. The designation signals to Members, prospective Members, management professionals, and industry peers that a Club represents the highest standard of Excellence in the United States.
Platinum License Benefits Include:
For Your Club
Handcrafted Tapestry Plaque, Recognition Pins, Announcement Booklets
Industry Insights
The FORUM Publication, Quarterly Surveys
Invitation
Professional Development Events and Networking Opportunities
Member Benefits
Request Worldwide Club Access
"Being recognized as a Platinum Club has always been a priority for St. Francis Yacht Club — not only because it elevates our brand and our reputation, which it certainly does, but because it drives real impact. What people may not realize is how an accolade like this helps a Club attract both outstanding Members and top management talent. Excellent people are drawn to Excellence, and whether it’s future members or staff, they see the Platinum Club seal as a mark of Excellence."
JOHN MEAGHER, GENERAL MANAGER / COO
ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
"To be consistently recognized as a Platinum Club of America is a tremendous accomplishment and means so much to our Club. Platinum Club status validates our Board’s vision to be a global leader defining reimagined Country Club living. Our Board, Membership, and Staff have always valued Platinum Club status as a significant benchmark in the Private Club industry.”
MATTHEW LINDERMAN, PRESIDENT / GENERAL MANAGER / COO
BOCA WEST COUNTRY CLUB - BOCA RATON, FL
