Royal Ascot Golf Club rolled out the red carpet for a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on Thursday, as the royal couple visited the Berkshire club to cut the ribbon on the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Wood.
The Duke and Duchess unveiled a plaque and planted two oak trees to mark the occasion and were later joined by club members and volunteers in the clubhouse for afternoon tea.
Created in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, the Memorial Woodland consists of 675 trees, one for every member of the club, and 450 further shrubs. The wood was designed and planted by members of the club and is nestled within the grounds of the 150-acre course as a living testament to Her Majesty’s remarkable reign. The wood contains a wide variety of woodland trees and shrubs, as guided by the Woodland Trust, and will provide a sanctuary for wildlife and herbaceous plants to positively contribute to the local ecosystem.
The opening took place exactly 135 years after the course was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria whose children learnt to play golf at the course before The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, became Patron of the club in 1901.
Tim Wescombe, Chairman of Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “It was our pleasure to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to officially open our Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Wood. This newly planted wood will stand as a lasting testament to Her Majesty’s remarkable reign in a location which means a great deal to the Royal Family given their close connection with our neighbours Ascot Racecourse. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Their Royal Highnesses for their attendance and celebrating this great occasion.”
Club general manager Stephen Nicholson added: “It’s not every day you get to entertain royalty, but that’s what we did yesterday. The team delivered in a massive way to make the club literally fit for royalty. We can’t wait to welcome the Duke and Duchess back in the future to see how the woodland develops.”
Founded in 1887, Royal Ascot Golf Club was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria and is set in 150 acres of wooded Crown land off Winkfield Road and adjacent to the world-famous racecourse. The club’s new course was formally opened in 2006 having moved from its original location on Ascot Heath in the middle of the racecourse a year earlier.