Forbes: The Top 25 Most Exclusive Golf And Country Clubs In The World
“Walking along Magnolia Lane headed to the stunning clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club, I was surrounded by perfectly groomed greens, massive magnolia trees and abundant yellow pansies creating the shape of the Founders Circle. The breathtaking beauty of the club is what contributes to its legendary position as one of the very best private golf clubs in the world. Members are properly dressed, and a few of them wear the coveted Green jackets indicating their prestige and rank. However, you will likely never get the chance to play at Augusta or any of the top private clubs in the world. You will also never be invited to join as a member or certainly afford the extravagant initiation fees.
Forget the fact that women are still not allowed in many clubs around the world and have finally been permitted to join as members when former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and IBM CEO Darla Moore became among the first females to join Augusta in 2012. Among the 300 members at Augusta National, only 1 percent are women. And you will also find it hard to spot any African-American players in many of the most elite clubs around the world, throughout history they were only used as caddies for the white men playing in tournaments. But times are changing at many of the top clubs and the new guard is enforcing a more open-minded attitude towards new diverse members, although a 10-year waiting list for new memberships at many clubs will undoubtedly slow things down dramatically.
The 2018-2019 Platinum Clubs® of the World winners represent the standard of Excellence for the finest Private Golf & Country Clubs around the globe and were voted by 700 Golf & Country Clubs. (Country Clubs are defined as offering a wide variety of amenities in addition to Golf and includes Residential Communities.) To receive Platinum status, which is the ultimate achievement in the private club industry, the organization receives input from the Club Leaders Forum Advisory Board and is awarded in five categories: Country Clubs, Golf, City, Athletic and Yacht Clubs.
The requirements are strict and include; Universal Recognition, Excellence in Amenities and Facilities, Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels, Quality of Membership, Governance & Prudent Fiscal Management, Adapting to Changing Times and Overall Experience.
This year the Top 100 International Golf & Country Clubs represent 30 countries, 14 clubs garnered Platinum status from Asia; 10 clubs are located in Great Britain and Ireland, and 11 Clubs are from Continental Europe with the addition of 13 new Golf & Country Clubs added to the Top 100.
For the first time, Augusta National has been voted the #1 Platinum Club of the World, Golf & Country Clubs. The host of the 2018 U.S. Open, Shinnecock Hills, moved from 7th to 3rd place. Past U.S. Open site, Merion Golf Club, moved up from 9th to 5th. And entering the top 10 for the first time is Baltusrol.
International clubs in the top 20 include: The R&A (Scotland), Royal Melbourne (Australia), Muirfield (Scotland), Morfontaine (France), Sunningdale (England) and Shanqin Bay (China), which is the first club to make the top 20 from the continent of Asia in the history of Platinum Clubs of the World.
In order to become a part of the most elite private golf and country clubs in the world, most clubs require members to follow very strict rules. Walking is mandatory, uniformed caddies are $120 per bag plus tip, there is a strict dress code, no shorts, backward hats and absolutely no hats inside the club, no cell phone use, drinking on the course is a tradition and of course jacket and tie for dinners.
Here are the top 25 winning worldwide clubs for 2018-2019 Platinum Club of the World Status…
Les Bordes
This 1,400-acre estate is nestled in the Loire valley south of Paris and is one of the most exclusive and difficult golf courses anywhere in the world. Built by the multi-millionaire owner of the Bic pen and razor company along with a Japanese friend, Les Bordes is located in a stunning setting within the countryside. Future plans are to build a hotel, lodges and a second course. One of the highlights is the beautiful clubhouse with old, oak beams and a rustic vibe along with enormous fireplaces and deep leather chairs. Initiation fees are unknown.”
Full article here.