THE battle to own Wentworth Golf Club reached a climax yesterday after Richard Caring, the multi-millionaire retail entrepreneur, seized control of the exclusive Surrey institution in a £130 million deal.

Mr Caring struck the agreement yesterday morning, topping a £122 million recommended offer tabled by Sean Quinn, the Irish billionaire.

Chelsfield, the property company with 60 per cent of Wentworth, has agreed to accept Mr Caring’s bid and by yesterday morning Mr Caring had already snapped up about 28 per cent of the 40 per cent remaining minority shares in the club, giving him an 88 per cent stake in the golf club.

Mr Caring has held discussions with Surinder Arora, the hotelier who lives close to the 18th hole of Wentworth’s famous West Course, and he may take a small stake in Mr Caring’s deal.

The £130 million bid represents a £45 million premium on Wentworth’s £85 million book value. The deal comes just 24 hours after Chelsfield adjourned a meeting of Wentworth investors and bidders on news of a possible £135 million offer from a mystery bidder.

The bidder’s identity was still unclear yesterday, but sources said that it was extremely unlikely that a rival party could scupper Mr Caring’s bid now.

Mr Caring is expected to take the club even more upmarket than it already is.

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