Every year 1000’s of keen golfers flock to Wentworth in Virginia Water, Surrey to see the crème de la crème play golf in what is reputedly one of the most exciting course in the UK. Golfers tread in the footsteps of the game’s great players from the last 85 years – legends such as Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Steve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods.   

 

Wentworth is the most televised course in the UK since it hosts 3 crowd pulling events annually – the PGA European golf, World match play and senior masters.  May 20^th – 23^rd sees the next major event as BWM sponsors the PGA European Golf tour and the players will be among the first to experience a brand new look for the world-famous West Course at Wentworth Club. The extensive renovation programme of the West Course has only just been completed in the last few weeks at a staggering cost of £6,000,000. Some of the golf professionals had been put off by the rather ‘wonky’ nature of the greens! These professionals, including Ian Poulter and Pádraig Harrington, have been lured back by the fabulous new course, designed by Wentworth resident and golf star – Ernie Els.  

 

This course is also unusual insofar as it is really the only course of its kind which has been designed with homes running along the fairways. And there are few more glorious natural settings to live and play golf in than this stretch of heath land surrounded by woodlands of pine, oak and birch; the vibrant rhododendrons adding a splash of colour. 

 

There is no denying it, Wentworth is classy and this air of glamour and sophistication is the thing that lures the rich and famous to buy ring side seat on these illustrious courses.  Owners relish the opportunity of asking their city friends down for a weekend in the ‘country’ and a spot of golf. 

 

James Wyatt of Barton Wyatt – family Estate Agents in Wentworth since 1965 has had plenty of experience in selling these wonderful mansions to his clients. He believes, “Many people buy property on Wentworth to be near the golf. It is very exciting to be able to view some of the world’s greatest players – live in your own back garden and on ‘your’ course. For some of course the crowds are a pain with heavy traffic and limited access to the club facilities not helping day to day living.”

 

James goes on to say, “Although many of these homes back directly onto the fairways there are only a very few that are visible from the course – most have spent time and money ensuring their privacy by growing dense bushes to keep prying eyes away but naturally this impairs their view of the action. It is a bit of a double edge sword as the price of a fairway house might attract as much as 20% on the purchase price and then to hide the view seems a shame”.

 

James continues, “The lack of view does ensure that the corporate hospitality offered at the club is extremely popular – prices often reaching several hundred pounds for a full day’s hospitality”.

 

Wentworth is owned by Richard Caring, who also owns possibly the best stable of restaurants in London which includes The Ivy, J. Sheekey and Le Caprice. So lunching in the tented village during the PGA week is truly a gastronomic affair and there is rarely a spare seat in the Moet and Chandon tent. James mentions, “Members have in the past had their own parties laid on buy the Club in massive marquees. Block buster bands such as INXS, Simply Red and Ronan Keating have been known to keep the parties going until well into the early hours”.

 

Living on Wentworth does not automatically give you membership to the golf club – it is entirely separate although a good proportion of the locals are members and keen golfers. This location has many other benefits of living such as being close schools, airports, polo club and it’s proximity to London.

 

Wentworth Estate is known to the local as ‘The Island’. This just adds to the feeling of exclusivity that seems to pervade the whole area. And with a long list of rich and famous on your doorstep it would be hard not to be impressed. Saying that, Barton Wyatt has a mixed range of properties available for sale on the Estate. 

 

From as little as £365,000 you can be the proud owner of a spacious two bedroom apartment. Or priced at an affordable £665,000 you can purchase an enchanting period cottage which fronts the 16^th green of the famous West course.   This property has four beds and 2 bathrooms and rather oddly 2 staircases. From here prices move on up through the millions dependent on the location and specification reaching £7,500,000 for a magnificent family home with 6 bedroom suites, games room, staff flat and much, much more.   This property has magnificent south-facing landscaped gardens overlooking the 17th fairway and green of the championship west course.

For more information of these or any other properties contact Barton Wyatt on 0134 484 3000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.