The Grove, London’s cosmopolitan country estate, opened in 2003 and it was always going to be a success story from the off. It was recognised as the AA Hotel of the Year within 12 months of opening and the Kyle Phillips-designed championship golf course has since gone on to win many friends and professional accolades.
The golf course is no stranger to hosting the greats of the game. It is exactly ten years since The Grove welcomed a World Golf Championship event to the UK – and to this day it still remains the only venue on our shores to have hosted such a tournament. As the British Masters supported by Sky Sports is sure to do, this WGC event left a lasting legacy at the 300-acre Hertfordshire estate thanks to the heroics displayed by the eventual winner, a certain Tiger Woods. His attacking play was typified by his scores on the 567-yard 18th hole over his four rounds – three eagles and a birdie – on his way to a 23 under par total and eight shot victory. His accomplishments on the 18th hole alone can be seen by every visitor today, as commemorative plaques adorn the pristine fairway of this challenging hole, and a sign near the tee records his incredible feat.
But what of the style of the golf course? The best person to ask is the architect himself. Kyle Phillips – also responsible for such design gems as Kingsbarns in Scotland and Yas Links in Abu Dhabi – explains: “The Grove occupies a classic English parkland site. When you look across the landscape here with the longer horizon lines and you walk through the holes, you start to recognise some interesting landforms, some more dramatic than others. These begin to affect how you think about strategy on a particular hole. So, at a macro scale, the course looks rather sympathetic, but at a micro scale, it really takes on an interesting personality.
“Part of creating this was remaining responsive to the integrity of the historic landscape that was around it and, at the same time, achieving a great golf experience.”
Professional golfers have heaped praise on the course over the years and four-time Major Champion Ernie Els was quick to compliment it after competing in the 2006 WGC event. He said: “I loved The Grove. Let me tell you, it is very, very impressive. I would say it’s the best-conditioned golf course in Europe, certainly in my experience. Everything was perfect; the course is great, the tees, fairways and greens were incredibly manicured and practice facilities were amazing.”
Australian star Adam Scott also offers some insight into what it is like to play the course from the back tees. He says: “One of the trickiest things about the course are the tee shots. There are a few angles off the tees that you really have to work the ball to get it in the fairway.”
Today, the reputation of The Grove for high-quality, personal service, also ensures the golf course is a venue of choice for many highprofile celebrities from the world of sport, entertainment and show business. This year it even hosted US President Barack Obama and former Prime Minister, David Cameron during the US President’s three-day visit to the UK in April.
However, what makes The Grove truly special is its ‘open-to-all’ philosophy. The golf course has no members and its management team are quick to highlight that it actively encourages anyone to visit and experience its facilities – whether it’s playing the golf course, enjoying the facilities of the 330-yard practice ground, short-game area, or putting on the super-smooth practice surfaces, which proudly sits outside the popular Stables restaurant and bar. For the golfing guest who wants the complete Grove experience, a stay-and play visit also offers a memorable blend of superior service, fine food and beverage, five-star accommodation, plus a host of treatments and rituals in its award winning Sequoia Spa.
The Grove has rightfully become one of the UK’s must-visit luxury resorts and its location – just 18 miles from central London – and its proximity to London Heathrow airport, continue to make it a firm favourite with international travelers and leisure guests seeking relaxed, five-star service.
