Platinum Clubs® of the World, Asia-Pacific, and Europe & Middle East
Frequently Asked Questions
Q
When were the Platinum Club programs first introduced into the Private Club Industry?
A
Platinum Clubs of America was established in 1997 by John Sibbald and Associates, who owned Club Leaders Forum Inc. a Private Club consulting company. The vision for Platinum Clubs of America was to provide a platform for General Managers, COOs, CEOs, Club Presidents and Owners to vote every two years for the finest Private Clubs in the United States. The Clubs elected by this group were awarded Platinum status. In 2010, Sibbald and Associates sold the company that owned the trademark rights to Platinum Clubs and several other designations, to the current ownership. Club Leaders Forum was capitalized and developed the programs that support Clubs, their Members, their Leadership and their Staff today.
Q
A
What are Platinum Clubs®?
Platinum Clubs are the finest Private Clubs that demonstrate Excellence in every aspect. There are other recognition and awards in the industry, most of which rank golf courses. Platinum Club status is awarded when every aspect of the Club is evaluated by utilizing the Seven Selection Criteria. The Criteria has been developed for Clubs as guidelines that represent Excellence and Best Practices in the Private Club Industry.
Q
A
Who manages the Platinum Club Programs?
Club Leaders Forum, Inc. manages the Platinum Club programs, which include Platinum Clubs of America, Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East. The Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board is very active and provides insight and guidance in the development of the strategic initiatives and goals of the company.
Q
A
Who serves on the Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board?
The Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board is composed of 16 of the most respected Club General Managers, COOs and CEOs from some of the world’s most elite and prestigious Clubs. There is representation on the Board from every category of Clubs recognized with Platinum status in the United States and around the world.
Q
A
When was Platinum Clubs® of the World established?
Platinum Clubs of the World was established in 2010. The vision of the Advisory Board was to develop a prestigious recognition program honoring the top 1% of Private Clubs globally. Platinum Clubs of the World sets the standards for Excellence in Private Club operations and encompasses three categories: Golf & Country Clubs, City Clubs, and Yacht Clubs. Unlike Platinum Clubs of America, which focuses on Clubs in the United States, Platinum Clubs of the World recognizes exceptional Clubs worldwide, including Asia-Pacific and Europe & Middle East. Achieving Platinum status is a remarkable accomplishment and is reserved for Clubs that consistently demonstrate unparalleled levels of service, extraordinary facilities, and an overall Member experience that exceeds expectations. Click here ror more information on the Seven Selection Criteria.
Q
A
Why is Platinum recognition important to a Club, its Leadership, Members and Staff?
Being elected a Platinum Club holds significant importance to a Club due to its prestigious recognition and the standard of Excellence it represents. Achieving Platinum status signifies that a Platinum Club is in the top 1% globally, highlighting its facilities and amenities, exceptional quality, service, and Member experience. Platinum recognition enhances a Club's reputation, earns industry respect, and attracts prospective Members seeking an elite Club experience. Platinum status also perpetuates a great source of pride and motivation for existing Members and Staff. Importantly, the Platinum designation supports the recruitment and retention of Staff, who are compelled to enhance their careers through employment and are proud to work at a Platinum Club. Ultimately, Platinum Clubs provide a benchmark for success and serve as a symbol of Excellence.
Q
A
What is the criteria for being elected a Platinum Club of the World, Platinum Club of Asia-Pacific or Platinum Club of Europe & Middle East?
The Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board, reviews and approves the Seven Selection Criteria, which are utilized by the Members of the Voting Panel when casting their confidential votes in the election. These criteria, embraced by the world's finest Clubs, serve as the foundational principles and guiding philosophy of their operations. They embody the essence of Best Practices, ensuring that only the most exceptional establishments are recognized for their unwavering commitment to Excellence.
THE SEVEN SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Universal Recognition
2. A Respected Membership
3. Excellence in Amenities & Facilities
4. Exceptional Service Standards
5. Adapting to Changing Times
6. Management and Operations
7. The Overall Experience
Q
How are Clubs selected to be included on the Platinum Clubs of the World Election Ballot?
A
The Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board thoroughly examines and reviews nominated Clubs, to be included on the Election Ballot according to the Seven Selection Criteria. Only Clubs that meet or exceed the highest standards are selected for inclusion on the Election Ballot ensuring an objective and credible selection of exceptional Clubs. The Election Ballot consists of approximately 1,500 Golf and Country Clubs, 800 City Clubs and 300 Yacht Clubs around the world who are considered worthy of consideration for Platinum status by the Advisory Board.
Q
A
How can a Club petition to be included on the 2024-2025 Election Ballot?
Clubs may petition to be included on the 2024-2025 Platinum Clubs of the World Election Ballot. Clubs are considered by the Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board based on the standards of Excellence in accordance with the Seven Selection Criteria.
Q
A
Who votes for the Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East?
The International Voting Panel is comprised of 120 esteemed Private Club industry experts, historians, world travelers, and connoisseurs, who recognize Excellence in Private Clubs. The Panel Members are invited to cast their votes confidentially for each Club listed on the Final Election Ballot, taking into careful consideration the Platinum Clubs of the World Seven Selection Criteria. The Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East, are elected through this voting process.
Q
Q
A
How are the votes tabulated to elect the Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East?
The Platinum Clubs of the World election is conducted electronically and held with the utmost confidentiality through the facilitation of a trusted third-party election official. Panelists are instructed to award points based on how each Club meets or exceeds the Seven Selection Criteria. To determine the final points score, the total number of points awarded to a Club is calculated and divided by the total number of Panelists who voted for that Club.
Q
A
How often are the elections for Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East?
The election takes place every two years (2023, 2025, 2027). The next election will take place in September 2023 to elect the Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East for 2024-2025.
Q
A
When are the results announced for the Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East 2024-2025?
The votes will be tabulated with results announced on October 18, 2023 confirming Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East 2024-2025. The Clubs that are recognized with an Honorable Mention will also be announced at this time.
Q
A
What are the benefits of being awarded Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East 2024-2025 status?
Being awarded as a Platinum Clubs of the World, Platinum Clubs of Asia-Pacific, or Platinum Clubs of Europe & Middle East 2024-2025 is the pinnacle of recognition in the Private Club industry and is respected by Club Leaders, Members and Staff globally. Platinum status bestows international prestige on a Club signifying exceptional quality, extraordinary service, and outstanding facilities and amenities, while demonstrating best practices and Excellence throughout. This recognition enhances Member satisfaction, and supports Member retention. Platinum Clubs also attract the highest caliber of candidates to be considered for admission.
The election to the family of Platinum Clubs provides unrivaled networking opportunities for Managers and their Executive Team. Acknowledgement as a Platinum Club provides the Club with unparalleled access to data from Platinum Programs, Surveys and Mastermind Events. Platinum Status fuels Employee pride driving a further dedication to serving the Club and its Members. Some of the most respected Private Clubs in the world, proudly display their Platinum plaque signifying Platinum recognition in the most prominent location in their Clubhouse.
Following the 2024-2025 Election, a Member of the Club Leaders Forum team will contact each Platinum Club of the World, Platinum Club of Asia-Pacific and Platinum Club of Europe & Middle East to discuss the benefits and opportunities of Platinum status.