A digital seal of heritage. Issued only to golf clubs with documented proof of 100 or more years of history — verified by The Centenary.
Request the badgeLive example — a verified club badge
The Centenary Verified Badge is a digital seal, unique to each club, that independently confirms its historical status. It is not self-awarded — every badge is issued only after our team has reviewed documented founding records.
The badge is cryptographically protected using a unique token tied to your club. It cannot be copied, faked, or transferred. Each badge links back to The Centenary, reinforcing trust for anyone who sees it.
Clubs can embed the badge anywhere — homepage, members' area, newsletters — using a simple iframe code we provide. It updates automatically; you never need to maintain it.
Each badge is tied to a cryptographic token generated only by The Centenary. It cannot be replicated.
Your club's founding date is displayed as a verified, fact-checked figure — not a claim.
Copy and paste a single iframe into any website, CMS, or newsletter template. No developer required.
The badge is served from our platform. Any updates are automatic — you never need to touch it again.
Over centuries, many golf clubs around the world have claimed to be the oldest in their region, country, or continent. These claims are often part of proud local tradition — but they are sometimes disputed, and it creates genuine confusion for members, visitors, and the broader golf community.
The Centenary reviews documented founding records and verifies dates against trusted historical sources. Our badge is a neutral, fact-checked recognition — not self-reported.
Displaying the badge tells everyone — existing members, prospective members, and visiting golfers — that your club's heritage has been independently confirmed.
Verified clubs are listed in The Centenary's database of over 1,890 historic clubs worldwide. Your club becomes discoverable to golfers and clubs across the globe.
For international partners, sponsors, and events, the badge is a shorthand signal of pedigree. It connects your club to a prestigious network with visible credibility.
Fill in the contact form below with your club's name, founding year, and a brief description of the documentation you can provide.
Our team reviews the documentation against trusted historical sources. We'll come back to you if we need anything additional. Most verifications are completed within two weeks.
Once approved, your club profile is updated and the badge is automatically issued. We'll send you the embed code — one copy-paste and you're done.
Yes. The Centenary Verified Badge does not have a commercial fee, but we do need to ask a small administration fee. Verification is part of what we do, so there is no commcercial charge to apply or to display the badge.
Typically a combination of: official club records, historical minutes, contemporary news coverage, or entries in national golf federation archives. The stronger and more varied the evidence, the smoother the process. We're happy to discuss what you have before you apply.
Many old clubs have gaps in their historical records — that is entirely normal. We work with what is available and may also conduct our own research. If we cannot verify a specific date with confidence, we will discuss alternatives with you rather than simply rejecting the application.
No. Each badge is tied to a unique cryptographic token that is bound to your club. It is technically impossible to use another club's badge or to display a badge without being verified. Any badge that doesn't resolve to a valid token is visibly invalid.
No. Verification and the badge are available to any qualifying club regardless of whether they join the reciprocal play network. They are separate things, though verified clubs are automatically listed in our database.
Most verifications are completed within two weeks of receiving documentation. Exceptional cases with complex or disputed records may take longer, and we'll keep you informed throughout.
Yes. Alongside the iframe for digital use, verified clubs can request a high-resolution version of their badge for print, clubhouse displays, stationery, and event materials.
We take disputed claims seriously and handle them carefully. Our verification is based solely on documented evidence — we do not take sides in historical debates. If documentation supports your founding year, the badge reflects that. We're transparent about our process and happy to discuss methodology.
Get in touch and we'll walk you through what's needed. The process is straightforward and the badge lasts forever.
Start your application