Wentworth Backs Down from Outrageous Membership Fees

The owners of Wentworth Golf Club have been forced to abandon their plans to skyrocket annual fees and dwindle down the number of members at the Surrey club.

It was a row that incited current members, including Sir Michael Parkinson to stand up and speak out against the plans. New owners, Reignwood, who bought the club for £135 million in 2014, were hoping to make Wentworth the most exclusive club in the world.

To do this the Chinese company wanted to charge current members a £100,000 debenture to re-join (£125,000 for new members) and double annual membership fees from £8,000 to £16,000. As well as these monetary changes Reignwood hoped to reduce the number of members down to 900 (from its current 4,000).

Earlier this year Sir Michael told the Telegraph of his disappointment regarding the plans. Stating at the time, “They [Reignwood] came in without any regard for the traditions or feelings of members of the club and tried to assume everybody would just go away quietly. They have misunderstood the nature of the club.”

For months club members and residents of the Wentworth Estate have been at odds with Reignwood over the changes. Leading to calls for legal action as well as residents threatening to block roads during the BMW PGA Championship held every year in May.

In the end it seems the Chinese company was forced to listen, announcing last Friday that the new debenture scheme would be voluntary and there would be no reduction in membership numbers.