Wentworth backs down in membership dispute

Reignwood Group, the owner of Wentworth Club, set out plans to cull the membership to just under 900 members and introduce a £100,000 non-refundable debenture for all current members wishing to remain members once the new structure was brought into place next March. Annual subscription fees were also set to be double from £8,000 to £15,000.

In a face of a barrage of criticism, and threats of legal action by residents of the estate, last month saw a partial softening of Reignwood’s attitude, with those members aged over 75 no longer required to pay the £100,000 debenture. But this latest twist, which followed an extraordinary general meeting held at the Surrey club last month, has seen the club introduce a new ‘non-debenture membership’ category that includes an undisclosed ‘contribution’ for capital improvements and limits for subscription rises for the next five years.

A joint statement from Stephen Gibson, the club’s chief executive, and Reignwood chairman Songhua Ni, said that they had ‘listened’ to members. “The new non-debenture membership means that that members can continue their existing membership without the need to re-apply,” the statement said. “Individual categories will be full, golf, tennis and health, and house and spa. Each of these categories will remain for perpetuity and are based on annual subscription only. The subscription set for each non-debenture category includes a contribution to capital investment. After that, annual subscriptions will rise with RPI for five years. Residents will benefit from discounted subscription and debenture fees.”

The statement continued: “Under the new membership structure, the club will be offering in the region of 900 debentures, the majority of which will be family memberships, which is set to result in more than 2,000 members. Members continuing with the new alternative option will be in addition to this number.”

Gibson said: “For several months, we have been working to find the right solution to include as many current members as possible in the new vision for Wentworth Club. I believe that today’s update, alongside the new membership offers and enhancements we announced last month, clearly show our commitment to our existing members and local estate residents, who are an integral part of the club’s past and our future.”

Songhua Ni added: “We have listened to a variety of differing interests from members and estate residents. We are continuing to make every effort to accommodate those, whilst focusing on our vision of making Wentworth Club the world’s premier private golf and country club.”