Bunhill: The London Golf Club

THE SORT of people who use private banks, play golf and live in the South-east may like to know that a new golf club is opening shortly, in Kent. It is called The London Golf Club, although it is 20 miles from the capital (members have the use of a heli-pad), and costs a mere pounds 20,000 to join plus pounds 1,250 in annual subscriptions. Family membership - members purchase a share or debenture that can be bought back later by the club - is a snip at pounds 35,000 plus pounds 1,750 a year.

For that, they will get the chance to play on two courses. One of these, to quote the club's promotional literature, has been 'personally designed' by Jack Nicklaus.

They will also be in good company. For the following, according to clause 3.7 of the membership prospectus, have agreed to become 'honorary members': Nicklaus himself; Lord Deedes, ex-Daily Telegraph editor; Sir Paul Girolami, the Glaxo chairman; Lord Prior, formerly of the Cabinet and now chairman of GEC; Sir Denis Thatcher; and Lord Young, also once of the Cabinet and now running Cable & Wireless.

In case you didn't realise, 'the eminence of these public figures reflects the prestige and standing of The London Golf Club'.

The last two, in particular, are no strangers to the freedom of plush golf clubs. A few years back, there was a terribly unsporting row when it emerged they were honorary members of the exclusive Lake Nona Golf Club in Florida. The brouhaha was stirred up by Tiny Rowland, who pointed out that two of the other honorary members were also key witnesses in the Department of Trade and Industry inquiry into the Fayeds' purchase of House of Fraser.

The fees are a bit steep for me, but if the club has room for any more honorary members . . .