Rough justice?
Ex-boss of top golf club sues for ‘race discrimination’ after daughter of new Chinese owner gets his job
‘Car park full of Lamborghinis’
SInCe being bought by a Chinese billionaire, one of Britain’s most exclusive golf clubs has suffered one controversy after another.
Yesterday Wentworth Club’s latest storm emerged when it was reported its former boss is suing for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination.
Stephen Gibson is said to be demanding £750,000 after he was replaced by the owner’s daughter earlier this year.
The famous club was bought for £130million in 2014 by tycoon Dr Chanchai Ruayrungruang from restaurateur Richard Caring. Mr Gibson, an ex-professional golfer, had been employed since 2007, first as director of golf and then as chief executive following the takeover by Reignwood, the Chinese company owned by Dr Ruayrungruang, 65.
But he was forced out in the spring and the owner’s daughter Woraphanit, 29, took charge on an ‘ interim’ basis until the appointment of a new chief executive.
Mr Gibson, 49, told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘I confirm that I have initiated legal proceedings against Reignwood. While proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment any further.’
It is not clear on what grounds he is bringing the claim but it is reported to involve unfair dismissal and racial discrimination. Miss Ruayrungruang informed members in a notice in the spring that Mr Gibson had left Wentworth and thanked him for his work.
Her father has upset members with radical ideas for the club in Virginia Water, Surrey.
He initially planned to cut membership from 4,000 to just over 800 and ask those who remained for a one- off payment of £100,000 to buy a debenture membership.
It was widely denounced with Sir Michael Parkinson complaining owners were creating a club for the super-rich with a ‘ car park full of Lamborghinis’. Amid threats of legal action the proposed sixfigure charge for existing members was shelved in 2016.
A £ 13million renovation project also led to criticism with the club admitting it had gone too far in stripping out historic honours boards that had lined the clubhouse and its famous Burma Bar.
The cost of playing at england’s top course also remains a source of controversy.
Fees are not published but new members now reportedly pay around £150,000 plus an annual £10,000 fee.
Latest accounts show RW Wentworth UK lost £16million in 2018 and a little over £12million in 2017.
Mr Gibson’s legal bill is said to be being paid for by a wealthy Wentworth resident, who is appalled at the way the club is being run. The club has refused to comment on the ‘ongoing legal proceeding’.