An £170million transformation has begun at Luton Hoo, which is part of an ambitious plan to bring the Ryder Cup to the town and turn the historic estate into one of Europe’s premier golf destinations.
If successful, the bid would bring one of the world’s most-watched sporting events to Luton — a move that could transform the town’s global profile and its reputation far beyond Bedfordshire.
Work is already underway to redevelop the course and facilities, with the resort now closed for more than two years while a full refurbishment takes place. European Golf Design are leading the redesign alongside golf legends Gary Player and Justin Rose.
European Golf Design’s previous projects include Ryder Cup venues Celtic Manor, Le Golf National and Marco Simone, while Atlantic Golf Construction — who worked on Adare Manor — has also been brought in.
“It’s easy just to say I want to build the Augusta of Europe. But if you really want to do that, then you have to make sure we put the best team on there, a bit like when we used to hear during my younger days with German engineering on cars,” Sanjay Arora, of the Arora Group, told National Club Golfer.
Arora, whose company bought Luton Hoo from Elite Hotels in 2021, said the vision goes far beyond golf, saying: “I’m looking at this as what we want to create, something that will be putting Luton and Central Bedfordshire on the world map, and this is something that we can all be proud of.”
Referencing the local connection to Ryder Cup founder Samuel Ryder, who lived in nearby St Albans, Arora said: “The stars are aligned. We will put our best foot forward, we will deliver the best thing. We will put our money where our mouth is. We aren’t waiting to get the green light to bring the Ryder Cup. We just said we’ll build it, let them choose, and whether it’s the tour, or the government, or the Ryder Cup committee, we’re going to create the best.”
Nine-time major champion, Player, has said in a statement: “I love the Ryder Cup so much that I am presently assisting in the design of a golf course at Luton Hoo, outside London.
“In that design I am particularly focused on producing a course that will meet all the criteria for a future Ryder Cup venue.”
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