The Hallmark Of
Excellence
We Verify Member Experience and We are the only merit-based
designation program for the private club industry.
Proud Partners With
2024
Distinguished Experience
Award Recipients
Featured Country Club
Boca West Country Club
Discover the unparalleled luxury and vibrant community life at Boca West Country Club, the nation’s #1 private residential country club. Nestled in Boca Raton, Florida, this award-winning club offers a rich tapestry of world-class amenities, including championship golf, tennis, spa services, and dining experiences, all designed to foster unforgettable moments and connections among members.
Distinguished Clubs Events
Distinguished Ideas
Summit 2026
Time and again, our Distinguished Ideas Summit has proven to be the single most important, can’t miss event of the year, and if your club has earned Distinguished Club status, you’re invited!!! General Managers from the best, most influential clubs gather to network and hear presentations given by fellow GM’s on how they improved Member Experience at their clubs. This peer-provided education easily pays for the entire award program in and of itself, and the mind-blowing events provided by our host clubs are beyond the words to describe them!
Member
Experience
Re:Defined
Country Clubs
City & Athletic Clubs
Golf Clubs
Residential Clubs
Yacht, Beach & Lake Clubs
Distinguished Club Philosophy
How Our Club Visits Have Evolved
Distinguished Clubs has optimized their club onsite visits and surveys by conducting over 500 in-person onsite survey visits, which has allowed them to gather extensive feedback directly from club management and leadership staff. This merit-based award program focuses on recognizing private clubs for the outstanding delivery of exceptional Member Experience, underlining their commitment to quality and service excellence.
Featured Country Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Experience the epitome of prestige and exclusivity at Augusta National Golf Club, renowned as one of the most esteemed private golf clubs worldwide. Situated in Augusta, Georgia, this iconic institution embodies a legacy of excellence in golfing tradition and unparalleled camaraderie. Indulge in a distinguished array of amenities, from immaculate fairways to impeccable dining, alongside a vibrant community of fellow enthusiasts. Discover a sanctuary where timeless elegance meets the pursuit of sporting excellence, creating cherished memories and lasting bonds among members.
Distinguished Clubs Innovation
Medinah Country Club
Medinah Country Club, one of the most prestigious and exclusive clubs in the world, has been bringing people together for 100 years. Since 1924, Medinah has built a legacy of tradition and excellence, hosting major tournaments and celebrating a passion for golf like no other. With its timeless traditions, world-class facilities, and a vibrant community of members and families, Medinah is more than a club—it’s a place where unforgettable memories are made and cherished across generations.
Distinguished Clubs Impressions
Read Our Testimonials
Take a look at some of our testimonials from General Managers and Executive Staff involved in the Distinguished Clubs program.
“What I enjoy most about being part of the Distinguished Club of America is not only the pride that comes from going through the evaluation process and earning such a coveted award, but also the pride my team feels every day when they come to work knowing the effort they put in truly matters. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that sense of accomplishment shared across our entire team. We also see the impact in the interest we receive from prospective members—many choose to join because they understand they’re becoming part of a first-class club in every way.”
Cary Massey, General Manager, Isleworth Country Club
Distinguished Club with Elite Status
“We are honored to earn the designation of Distinguished Club with Iconic Status, as it reflects the unwavering commitment of our staff, the dedication of our leadership, and the vibrant community of members who make Medinah Country Club . This honor celebrates our legacy of excellence and innovation while reinforcing our mission to provide a world-class golf experience and the highest quality, family-oriented amenities to our members and honored guests. It’s a testament to the pride we all share in belonging to a truly iconic institution.”
David P. Schneider, GM/COO, Medinah Country Club
Distinguished Club with Iconic Status
“Terminal City Club in Vancouver Canada is honored and thrilled to achieve the prestigious status of a Distinguished Club with Iconic Status. This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering an exceptional Member Experiences one member at a time. We’re grateful for this accolade, which underscores the dedication of our team and the pride it brings to our members”
Peter Jackman, GM/CEO, Terminal City Club
Distinguished Club with Iconic Status
“Being part of the Distinguished Clubs of the World is a true honor, and I am immensely proud to share this achievement with the dedicated and exceptional management team at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. This recognition validates our collective commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for our members. The standards set by Distinguished Clubs are rigorous, and to have met them, and indeed exceeded them, is a testament to the hard work, passion, and unwavering dedication of every member of our team. We’ve strived to create an environment that embodies excellence in service, facilities, and overall member satisfaction, and this accolade confirms that we’ve succeeded. It’s a privilege to be associated with such a prestigious organization, and I look forward to continuing to uphold the high standards that Distinguished Clubs of the World represents, alongside my incredible team at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.”
Thomas Kassner, General Manager, COO, Key Biscayne Yacht Club
Distinguished Club with Exceptional Status
“Being a DC is good for pride and culture. It also adds value to marketing and real estate campaigns. I think it should mean something to all clubs.”
Matt Linderman, CEO Boca West Country Club
Distinguished Club with Elite Status
“I am honored to share that the Calgary Petroleum Club has earned Elite Status with Distinguished Clubs. This recognition reflects the dedication and teamwork of our exceptional staff, who embrace our core values Excellence, Service, It’s Personal, Respect, and Care daily. This achievement would not be possible without the continued support and pride of our members. Thank you for making the CPC such a special club. We are thrilled to earn this designation.”
Toni-Marie Ion-Brown, CCM, General Manager, Calgary Petroleum Club
Distinguished Club with Elite Status
“The 5 outlined qualities that justify a club’s merit to be recognized as a Distinguished Club are very accurate, and a fair examination of what really matters to the member experience. Each area is representative of attributes that create value, instill pride, and foster support to the direction of the club. We are proud to be a Distinguished Club and will continue to find ways to improve, create value, and provide the service our membership deserves.”
Brian Thomas, USPTA, PTR, CCM, General Manager, Orinda Country Club
Distinguished Club with Elite Status
“The Distinguished Club designation is a source of pride for our membership and staff. Over the years, the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club has been fortunate to receive high ratings and rankings from various media outlets and organizations, but the Distinguished Clubs designation is the most cherished due to the fact that it features a thorough evaluation process that begins with a nomination of your peers followed by an actual onsite inspection of the Club. The Distinguished Clubs Methodology is impressive and encompasses what it means to be a great club. I am not aware of any other rating system that goes to these lengths to ensure quality of the candidates. We will always support Distinguished Clubs and their mission to drive excellence in the Club community.”
Aaron Wagner, General Manager, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
Distinguished Club with Iconic Status
“Being a Distinguished Club means your Club is excellent. Remaining a Distinguished Club year after year means your Club knows how to push the envelope of hospitality and be a leader not a follower. It requires the membership, staff and managers, to remain on the cutting edge of superior hospitality. This structure is what gives integrity to Distinguished Clubs and those that hold this great recognition.”
Chad Schultenover, CCM, CCE,
General Manager/COO, Meridian Hills Country Club
Distinguished Club with Exceptional Status
Stay Up To Date With The Clubs
Three status levels of excellence…
Distinguished Clubs with ELITE status exceed our Distinguished Criteria, as they provide the highest standards of top-tier service, facilities, and amenities, and are one of the most highly regarded private clubs with membership fees/dues set accordingly. These clubs consistently achieve outstanding NPS and MEI metrics.
Will not exceed 1% of clubs globally.
Distinguished Clubs with ICONIC status are 75+ year old clubs with membership by invitation only that have hosted a national or international championship sporting or political event and are widely considered as one of the most prestigious private clubs in the world. These clubs consistently achieve extraordinary NPS and MEI metrics.
Distinguished Club ASSOCIATES
Our Partners
Since we began the Distinguished Clubs designation program, we have conducted over 500 in-person onsite survey visits and,
along the way, have personally interviewed several thousand general managers and leadership staff.