[4] The golf club was originally developed by the Japanese businessman Masao Nagahara,[5] in response to a perceived need for a world class golf course in the vicinity of London[1] and purportedly at the behest of Margaret Thatcher.
[5] Although the club was originally opened in September 1993 by Sir Denis Thatcher,[1] the official course opening was in July 1994 and was accompanied by a charity skins match between Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tony Jacklin.
[1] After the original owners experienced financial difficulties,[6] the course was purchased in 2003 by the Bendinat group (who also own the Royal Bendinat Golf Club in Mallorca[2]) for an undisclosed sum.
[2][3] Since the purchase, the club has hosted numerous tournaments on both the European Senior Tour and the European Tour, including the 2014 Volvo World Match Play Championship and the 2018 and 2019 PGA Seniors Championship.
[10] The Volvo World Match Play Championship was held on the International course in 2014.