The top-rated player in my club back when I was in my teens was rated a 2100. He was admittedly a bit rusty, though. The BEST player in the club was rated about an 1800 but actually beat a world-renowned GM in a 50-game simultaneous match.
When I was a teenager I did some chess tournaments. My rating sucked because I was a risky and undisciplined player, but I collected a whole bunch of wins against rated-and-qualified masters in the process.
Turns out that a lot of chess “masters” aren’t really masters, but rather just very well-versed in standard, orthodox play.
My son was rated in the 1800’s when he was in college. What impressed me the most is that he would go to tournaments and bring home a chunk of change!