The iconic Stoke Park, in Buckinghamshire, is to be the official English ‘home’ of the World of Leading Golf (WLG) until at least 2017.
World of Leading Golf (WLG) – previously known as Leading Golf Courses of Europe – is an international community of member golf clubs fully committed to upholding the very highest levels of quality and it is currently in the process of awarding national ‘home’ status to individual venues in each member country.
WLG has members in 16 European countries and is expanding exponentially, with clubs from every other continent currently in the application stage. And it is for this reason that the WLG board has taken the decision to appoint a ‘home’ base for each member country – and the first to be appointed is England’s Stoke Park.
Claus Feldt, WLG’s general manager, explained: “In an expanding organisation such as WLG it is essential you have a place on the ground you can call ‘home’, somewhere you can not only regard as your ‘family’ base but also somewhere you’re happy to wave the flag for you. Stoke Park is a fabulous venue and we are very proud to have it as our spiritual ‘home’ in England.
“When choosing a ‘home’ venue in each of our member countries it has to be a prestigious, quality venue – but that’s where we are fortunate at WLG because all of our members are, by their nature, prestigious, quality venues. We’re looking forward to confirming our ‘home’ venues in other countries as the year progresses.”
Stoke Park’s Stuart Collier, the director of golf at the five-AA Red Star Hotel, added: “We were delighted when, earlier this year, we were the first English venue to be accepted into WLG, and, as other clubs join we are equally proud to be chosen as WLG’s ‘home’ in England. All we ask is they let us know when they’re coming ‘home’ so we can have the kettle on.”
Founded in 1908, the 300-acre, five-star Stoke Park, in Stoke Poges, hosted the first PGA Matchplay tournament in 1910 and now offers a combination of the traditions of an exclusive club and the best of today’s sporting, leisure, entertaining and hotel facilities in one of the most convenient locations in Britain: only 35 minutes from London and just seven miles from Heathrow Airport.
In addition to 27 Harry Colt-designed holes of golf and a 49-room five-AA red-star hotel, it features three restaurants and bars – including the three AA rosette, fine dining Humphry’s; 10 private rooms for conferences and entertaining, and indoor teaching for golf and tennis; 13 tennis courts – indoor, artificial clay and grass; 11-treatment-room spa and nail bar; indoor swimming pool; 4,000ft2 gymnasium, with more than 50 classes a week; a crèche; games room; and a playground.
Rebranded as WLG in early 2015, the association focuses on marketing and communication platforms for certified premium clubs in order to promote awareness throughout Europe. Print and on-line publications – such as the new guide and regular newsletters – serve as reference guides for the demanding golfer, while ‘members only’ travel offers and other advantages help deepen the relationship between the designated golfers and WLG member clubs.
World of Leading Golf www.world-of-leading-golf.com
Stoke Park www.stokepark.com/golf/