2016-2018 America’s Top Private Clubs of Excellence ELECTED BY CLUB MANAGERS, PRESIDENTS AND OWNERS NATIONWIDE PRESENTED BY Club Leaders Forum in Review SINCE ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY for Club Leaders Forum and the Platinum Club organization in A MESSAGE TO CLUB MANAGERS, BOARDS, OWNERS AND MEMBERS 2012, Management, in conjunction with the Advisory Board, has worked diligently to support Leaders in the CLUB LEADERS FORUM and the esteemed members of the Advisory Board are proud to present Private Club industry. Central to the strategic objectives has been a commitment to preserve the tone and quality only found at the most prestigious Clubs in America and around the World. In keeping with that goal the 2016 - 2018 Platinum Clubs of America. Established in 1997 by the late Mr. John Sibbald, in 2016, the logos and marks have been redesigned and modernized. Platinum Clubs was his vision to elect the finest Private Clubs in the nation that represent Excellence, as selected by General Managers, Presidents and Owners. The FORUM was relaunched in 2015 as an online publication and has received positive reviews. The content is unlike any other found in industry publications. With the mantra to be Creative, Informative and Relevant, The biennial election to identify the top 5% of Private Clubs in the country was conducted by an The FORUM, published each Spring and Fall, has become a must read for Club Leaders. independent third party with the results certified as true and correct. This year, a record 3,128 Club Leaders Forum introduced Platinum Clubs of the World in 2013 and conducted the second election General Managers, Presidents and Owners voted for their peers, which makes Platinum recognition the most respected in 2015. A respected Panel has been assembled that travel the globe and understand Excellence in Clubs. acknowledgment in the industry. These Industry Leaders were directed to vote for Clubs that meet the Seven Platinum Currently, Private Clubs from more than 20 countries proudly display their Platinum Club plaques as Clubs of America Selection Criteria, as approved by the Advisory Board. a mark of recognition and distinction. Thirty-five new Country Clubs were elected Platinum and 21 Clubs joined the list in the other four categories. Many clubs Much has been accomplished in the past four years to enhance the benefits of the Platinum Club License climbed the list, which is a testament to their commitment to Excellence and adherence to the Seven Selection Criteria. Program. Club Leaders Forum conducted the inaugural Excellence in Platinum Clubs LIVE event prior to the 2016 CMAA Conference in San Diego. Attended by more than 100 Platinum Club Managers at the I would like to express special appreciation to the Advisory Board for their input, guidance and oversight. It is my distinct San Diego Yacht Club, the participants were unanimous that this event should not be missed at future pleasure to announce the return of the current Board Members to serve another two-year term and welcome three newly conferences. elected Club Managers to the Board: Matthew Allnatt (Jonathan Club), Michael McCarthy (Addison Reserve Country Club) and Christine Pooler (Merion Golf Club). The Private Club Assessment Program has been warmly received and utilized by Private Clubs across the nation. Conducted over a two-day period, a senior executive from Club Leaders Forum visits the Club and Congratulations to the Country, Golf, City, Yacht and Athletic Clubs elected Platinum Clubs of America 2016 - 2018. employs the Seven Platinum Club Selection Criteria to assess the Club’s operation. The visit culminates in the It is my sincere hope that Platinum Licensees will enjoy the many new program benefits that have been developed for production of an executive summary prepared for the Club’s Board and Management. Clubs, General Managers, their Boards and Members. An Online Discussion Group was launched in 2016 to create connections between Platinum Clubs and their Respectfully yours, Staff. Club Managers and Department Heads may now communicate with each other, pose questions and pro- Dennis W. Burns, Executive Director vide insights on hot topics in the industry. More recently, a feature was introduced whereby the Advisory Board respond to posted topics and questions. One of the most significant initiatives introduced for the 2016-2018 Platinum Clubs of America are the CLUB LEADERS FORUM ADVISORY BOARD benefits available from the membersPLATINUM of the Platinum Circle. CLUBS A full description can be found in the latter pages of this Announcement Booklet. In the future, not only will Clubs benefit from Platinum recognition, but also The CLUB LEADERS FORUM Advisory Board is comprised of General Managers that have achieved Platinum OF AMERICA Boards, Club Members and Senior Staff will enjoy added value. status throughout their careers and manage some of the most prestigious Private Clubs in the nation. The Board 5 STAR PRIVATE CLUB provides experienced guidance and oversight regarding the Platinum Club elections, License Program and all other Congratulations to the Platinum Clubs elected by their peers this year. The election process begins with a pre- services provided by Club Leaders Forum. liminary ballot and extends over a 90-day period, with final votes cast then tabulated and certified as true and correct by an independent third party. The result of this extended process is the election of the 290 Platinum Clubs of America who can stand proud. UBS OF CL TH MICHAEL McCARTHY KEVIN VITALE JAY DI PIETRO DWIGHT JENSON TIM TIMLIN MATTHEW ALLNATT ATILLA KARDAS CHRISTINE POOLER E M Jupiter Hills Club Merion Golf Club U W Addison Reserve Baltusrol Golf Club Boca West Country Club Chicago Yacht Club Houston Country Club Jonathan Club N O I R T Country Club L A D L P NORM RICH MICHAEL LEEMHUIS TERRY ANGLIN J. J. WAGNER JOHN DORMAN JEFF McFADDEN COLIN BURNS Multnomah Ocean Reef Club San Diego Yacht Club Santa Ana Country Club The University Club The Union League Winged Foot Golf Club Athletic Club (New York) of Philadelphia PLATINUM CLUBS OF AMERICA PLATINUM5 STAR PRIVATE CLUBS CLUB PLATINUMOF AMERICA CLUBS 5 STAROF AMERICAPRIVATE CLUB PLATINUM5 STAR PRIVATE CLUBS CLUB PLATINUMOF AMERICA CLUBS 5 STAROF AMERICAPRIVATE CLUB 5 STAR PRIVATE CLUB Platinum Clubs® of America Selection Criteria Platinum Club Categories THE SEVEN SELECTION CRITERIA were revised in 2014 and approved by the Advisory Board for the 2016 THERE ARE FIVE PLATINUM CLUB OF AMERICA CATEGORIES for election: Country Clubs, Golf Clubs, election. General Managers, Club Presidents and Owners were asked to consider the following seven criteria City Clubs, Athletic Clubs and Yacht Clubs. In 2016, the number of Clubs in each category are: one hundred fifty when making their selections and casting votes on the final ballot. The following Criteria form the benchmark of (150) Country Clubs, fifty (50) Golf Clubs, fifty (50) City Clubs, twenty (20) Yacht Clubs and twenty (20) Athletic Excellence in the Private Club Industry: Clubs. In total, there are 290 Clubs that have earned the honor of being a Platinum Club of America in 2016-2018. Clubs that received a substantial number of votes were acknowledged as Candidates for Platinum status in 2018. UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION 1 Clubs of Excellence are widely known as such by the strata of American society that frequent Private Clubs COUNTRY CLUBS are defined as full service Clubs with “Country Club” in the official name, offering and are well traveled. Whether these Clubs are recognized from their inception or through the accumulated a wide variety of amenities in addition to Golf, and includes Residential Communities. passage of time, their traditional history and ability to attract and retain the finest members sets them apart as GOLF CLUBS are considered facilities with “Golf Club” in the official name, offering only a golf course or domiciles of excellence. courses with a Clubhouse and limited other recreational amenities. EXCELLENCE IN AMENITIES AND FACILITIES CITY CLUBS are Clubs with “City Club” in the official name, offering business meeting and banquet 2 It is the total array of facilities that provides excellence and fulfillment of the members needs in every rooms, member dining, athletic facilities, may provide hotel rooms and are located in city centers. function and activity that makes it great. Remarkable Clubs invest on a regular and planned basis in the mainte- ATHLETIC CLUBS are identified as Clubs with “Athletic Club” in the official name with limited dining and nance, supervision and replacement of the grounds, equipment and furnishings, while building reserves. meeting facilities. Other Clubs including Beach, Hunt and Racquet Clubs are included in this category. CALIBER OF STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE LEVELS YACHT CLUBS are Clubs with “Yacht” in the name and provide members with marina facilities, social 3 Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentleman is a maxim of the finest Clubs. Clubs that provide an amenities and maritime activities. excellent work environment, compensation and benefits, attract outstanding employees in the community. * Clubs may only be recognized in one category. The Club’s official name is the primary consideration for the appropriate category designation, The quality of management is reflected by a staff that is well trained, well-mannered and highly motivated to unless requested by the Club and approved by the Advisory Board. provide its members with an extraordinary experience. QUALITY OF MEMBERSHIP The Vote 4 Great members are the heart and soul of successful Clubs. Members that represent the best qualities are THE VOTE was conducted electronically and confidentially through those that reflect the community values in which they live. They celebrate their heritage and religiously observe a third party, SportsHub Technologies. Two Ballots were provided to over 4,000 Private Clubs across the USA. One Ballot was completed their time-honored traditions.