The Wentworth Residents Association has threatened to go take legal actions against the new owner of the Wentworth Golf Club after proposed to dramatically reduce the number of its members and raise its annual fee.
As reported by the City A.M. the golf club was purchased by its China-based owner has proposed new terms in the golf club. The new owner proposed that the club reduce its members from 4000 to 800. Moreover, members who are invited to return would provide pay a one-off £100,000 to join. They are also proposing to increase their annual fee to £16,000 from £8,000.
The new owner's proposal did not please the golf club members. Some members has sent a 15-page letter stating that they are willing to take legal steps on the issue. According to The Guardian, the letter stated that the change will breach the legal trust agreement as well as conflict with the consumer and equality laws.
"The proposed membership structure will fundamentally change the nature and character of the club and the Wentworth estate and is unacceptable. It must cease", a members stated in the letter. The area's MP, and foreign secretary Philip Hammond also described the new owner's plans as "very disappointing" in one of his letters.
According to Aol, WRA chairman Eric Leon also stated that they proposed an alternative to the owner which will not greatly alienate the resident members. However, recent announcements appear that their proposal was rejected.
Furthermore, the club released a statement through a spokesman that they have carefully revised the new membership structure and received confirmation that they are allowed to implement such revisions.
"Wentworth Club has undertaken an extensive legal review of the proposed membership structure, together with various legal and professional advisers, including seeking the opinion of Queen's Counsel, which has confirmed that based on the available evidence it is able to proceed with the revised structure.", the club spokesman stated via Sunday Telegraph.
The Wentworth Golf Club is famous for being birthplace of the Ryder Cup. It has 18-hole courses, crenellated clubhouse, and currently has more than 4,000 members.
