Ava Romero
Wentworth Golf Club is a prestigious private golf and country club in Virginia Water, Surrey, England, on the south-western fringes of London. The club was founded in 1922 and is known for its associations with professional golf, hosting several championships and iconic golfers over the years. It offers three world-class 18-hole golf courses, including the famous West Course, designed by Harry Colt and opened in 1926. The club provides modern facilities, a holistic approach to health and wellness, and is surrounded by the exclusive Wentworth Estate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Virginia Water, Surrey, UK |
| Type | Private golf and country club |
| Year founded | 1922 |
| Owner | Beijing-based Reignwood Group |
| Debenture membership fee | £100,000 (originally), estimated at £200,000 now |
| Annual fee | £16,000 |
| Number of courses | 3 |
| Course designers | Harry Colt, John Jacobs |
| Notable tournaments hosted | Ryder Cup (1926, 1953), World Match Play Championship (1964-2007), BMW PGA Championship (1984-present) |
| Other facilities | Tennis and health club with gym, dance studio, health spa, ozone swimming pool, Jacuzzi, crèche, and café |
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What You'll Learn
Wentworth Club's history
Wentworth Club is a privately owned golf club and country club in Virginia Water, Surrey, on the southwestern fringes of London, not far from Windsor Castle. The club was founded in 1922 by George Tarrant, who established the house and grounds as the home of the Wentworth Club.
Wentworth's history as a private residence dates back to 1805 when it was the home of the extended family of the Duke of Wellington. In 1850, the property was purchased by Ramón Cabrera, 1st Count of Morella, and his heirs. After Cabrera's death in 1877, his widow, Catherine Anne Vaughn-Richards, bought the surrounding lands to safeguard the natural features of the estate, forming what is now the heart of the Wentworth Estate.
In 1912, builder W. G. Tarrant began developing the nearby St George's Hill in Weybridge, a residential project centred around a golf course. A decade later, in 1922, Tarrant acquired the development rights for the Wentworth Estate and hired renowned golf architect Harry Colt to design a golf course around the existing Wentworths house. Colt designed the East Course (originally known as the No. 1 Course) and the West Course (originally named the Championship No. 2 Course). The West Course was later modernised and refined by Ernie Els in 2005-2006, who lengthened it by 310 yards and added 30 bunkers.
Over the years, Wentworth Club has become renowned in the world of golf. It hosted the forerunner to the Ryder Cup in 1926 and was the venue for the official Ryder Cup in 1953. It also hosted the World Match Play Championship from 1964 to 2007 and has been the annual venue for the PGA Championship since 1984. The club has witnessed remarkable performances from golfing icons such as Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, and Rory McIlroy.
In terms of ownership, Wentworth Golf Club has changed hands several times. In 1988, Chelsfield, a property investment company, bought the club, and later sold a portion to Japanese investors. In 2004, fashion industry entrepreneur Richard Caring purchased the club, and then sold it in 2014 to Beijing-based Reignwood Investments, making the club more exclusive by reducing membership numbers and increasing fees.
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Wentworth's golf courses
There are several golf courses associated with Wentworth:
Wentworth Club
Wentworth Club is a privately owned golf club and country club in Virginia Water, Surrey, on the southwestern fringes of London. It was founded in 1922 and is best known for its associations with professional golf. The club has three eighteen-hole courses: the famous Harry Colt-designed West Course, the earlier and lesser-played East Course, also designed by Colt, and the recent Edinburgh Course designed by John Jacobs. There is also a nine-hole par-3 executive course. The club is home to the headquarters of the PGA European Tour and hosts the annual Tour's PGA Championship on its West Course. The West Course is also known for being the venue of the 1953 Ryder Cup and the World Match Play Championship from 1964 to 2007.
Wentworth Hills Country Club
Wentworth Hills Country Club is located in Plainville, MA. The club has implemented dynamic pricing for the 2025 golf season, allowing golfers to choose tee times and prices that suit their needs.
Wentworth Golf Academy
The Wentworth Golf Academy opened in Spring 2025 and offers world-class golf instruction and practice facilities. It features cutting-edge swing technology, exceptional training facilities, and a team of highly skilled PGA professionals.
Wentworth is also associated with a tennis and health club, which includes a gymnasium, dance studio, health spa, swimming pool, and cafe.
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Wentworth's location
Wentworth Club is a private golf club and country club located in Virginia Water, Surrey, on the south-western outskirts of London, not far from Windsor Castle. The club was founded in 1922 and is surrounded by the Wentworth Estate, one of the most expensive private estates in the London suburbs. The club is set within a beautiful 700-hectare estate and is known as the home of golfing champions, with many famous championships hosted at the club over the years.
The Wentworth Club is home to three world-class 18-hole golf courses, including the famous West Course, which was designed by Harry Colt and opened in 1926. The West Course is Surrey's most famous golf course and has hosted many prestigious tournaments, including the BMW PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup in 1953. The course was renovated in 2017 and features SubAir technology, which controls moisture levels to ensure optimal playing conditions.
The East Course, also designed by Colt in 1924, is the older but lesser-played of the two original courses. The recent Edinburgh Course was designed by John Jacobs, and the club also offers a nine-hole par-3 executive course.
Wentworth has a rich history, with the 19th-century "Wentworths" house serving as the residence of the brother-in-law of the 1st Duke of Wellington. The house and grounds were later acquired by exiled Spanish Carlist military commander Ramón Cabrera, 1st Count of Morella, and his wife, Catherine Anne Vaughn-Richards, who purchased the surrounding lands to form the heart of the Wentworth Estate.
The Wentworth Club has changed hands several times over the years, with various owners making it more exclusive and reducing the number of members. Despite this, the club remains a prestigious destination for golfers and continues to host world-class tournaments, solidifying its place in the world of golf.
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Wentworth's owners
Wentworth Golf Club, founded in 1922, has had several owners throughout its history. The club was developed by builder W. G. Tarrant, who acquired the development rights for the Wentworth Estate and hired Harry Colt to design a golf course around the "Wentworths" house, a 19th-century residence.
In 1988, Elliott Bernerd's property investment company Chelsfield bought Wentworth Golf Club for £17.7 million (also reported as £20 million). The following year, Bernerd sold 40% of the club to Japanese investors, raising £32 million.
In 2004, Chelsfield sold its remaining 60% share to fashion industry entrepreneur Richard Caring, who purchased the club for £130 million. A decade later, in 2014, Caring sold the club for £135 million to Beijing-based Reignwood Investments, a holding company associated with billionaire Yan Bin.
Under the ownership of Reignwood, the club implemented a new debenture membership structure, significantly increasing the cost of membership and making the club more exclusive. The current debenture cost is reported to be £175,000, with an annual fee of £16,000.
The new ownership by Reignwood Group sparked some controversy among longtime members, with concerns expressed about the potential loss of traditions and the impact of the membership cull. Despite this, Chanchai Ruayrungruang, the founder of the Reignwood Group, expressed his commitment to preserving the unique culture of Wentworth while positioning it as a key strategic acquisition for their luxury lifestyle division.
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Wentworth's famous players
Wentworth Club is a privately owned golf club and country club located in Virginia Water, Surrey, on the south-western outskirts of London, close to Windsor Castle. The club was founded in 1922 and has been known as the home of golfing champions since the precursor to the Ryder Cup was first played there in 1926.
Wentworth has attracted many famous residents and members over the years, including golfing icons such as Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, and Rory McIlroy, who have all enjoyed remarkable success at the club. Els, who became the club's "world-wide touring professional" in 2005, redesigned the West Course, lengthening it by 310 yards and adding 30 bunkers.
Other famous residents and members include singer-songwriter Sir Elton John, former England football captain John Terry, and 2013 US Open champion and former World Number One, Rose. Nick Dougherty, a successful player turned golf presenter for Sky Sports, is also a long-time member of Wentworth Club.
Wentworth is home to the headquarters of the PGA European Tour and hosts the Tour's annual PGA Championship on its West Course, which has been sponsored by BMW since 1984. The club features three world-class 18-hole courses, including the famous Harry Colt-designed West Course, the lesser-played East Course, and the newer Edinburgh Course, as well as a nine-hole par-3 executive course. These courses have hosted some of the world's most prestigious trophies and championships, contributing to Wentworth's rich legacy in the golfing world.
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Frequently asked questions
Wentworth Golf Club is located in Virginia Water, Surrey, on the south-western fringes of London, United Kingdom.
Wentworth has hosted many famous golf tournaments, including the Ryder Cup in 1926 and 1953, the World Match Play Championship from 1964 to 2007, and the BMW PGA Championship since 1984.
Wentworth has three world-class 18-hole golf courses: the West Course, the East Course, and the Edinburgh Course. The West Course is the most famous and was designed by Harry Colt in 1926. It features SubAir technology to control moisture levels and is known for its challenging character.
Wentworth is a private country club offering outstanding dining and spa facilities, as well as a tennis and health club with a gym, dance studio, health spa, swimming pool, and more. The club also has a charitable foundation that provides golf and tennis coaching and scholarships to local youth.
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