THE GROVE

A Hertfordshire Homage To Millionaire Golf

- BENNY TEO

As soon as I got into London, I jumped on another train and headed back north. I was only going as far as Watford Junction just on the north side of the city, heading for a bourgeois weekend at The Grove, London’s grooviest 5-star country estate.

After several decades on the demolition block, The Grove came back on the scene in the 1990’s, a country house saved from rot and ruin having once played host to the likes of Queen Victoria and various prime shakers of the day. By all accounts its 19th century house parties were legendary. Now, it is the preferred port-of-call for rock royalty such as Kylie and Madge or Hollywood A-listers who stay for prolonged periods whilst working at nearby Warner Bros Studios.

More excitingly for golfers like me, it played host to Tiger Woods right after he won the Open at Royal Liverpool back in 2006. Back then, the world’s, and history’s most unbeatable golfer tamed The Grove’s then juvenile track at the World Golf Championship. It was also the first time the WGC American Express event had ventured into Europe and it speaks volumes for this London-based course to be given the honour. Woods blitzed the tournament with a record aggregate score of 261 to capture his fifth WGC-American Express Championship and his 12th World Golf Championships title; heady days for a young Tiger in his prime.

Meanwhile, I was heading for my room for a refresh. But first I just had to wander around The Grove’s mansion, which is an original red brick building. Inside however, is a world of modernity filled with luxurious fittings and funky lounges that were a celebration of Bohemian bon vivant if ever there was one.