A recent court ruling has determined that Mill Ride Golf Club in Berkshire will be forfeited as the money used to purchase the club in 2013 was obtained through fraudulent activities. Zamira Hajiyeva, the owner of the club, is the subject of the UK’s first Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) relating to a London house and the golf club, which were jointly valued at £26.5 million. Her husband, Jahangir Hajiyev, is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence for defrauding the state-owned International Bank of Azerbaijan.
Despite the court’s ruling that the properties were bought with illicit funds, no finding was made on whether Mrs. Hajiyeva was aware of the source of the money. She previously lost a High Court challenge related to a London house she bought in 2009 for £11.5 million through a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. Hajiyeva has now been served with a second UWO targeting the Mill Ride Golf Club, purchased for £10.5 million in 2013.
The National Crime Agency stated that the purchase of the golf club involved a complex structure of companies registered in Luxembourg, Guernsey, and offshore trusts in Guernsey and Cyprus. The NCA successfully applied for a freezing order for the two properties in March 2021, with both assets set to be sold at auction. The government will receive 70% of the proceeds, with the remainder restored to Hajiyeva under a settlement agreement.
Mill Ride Golf Club remains fully operational, with most members unaware of the controversy surrounding its owner. The club, which features an 18-hole, 6,861-yard parkland course designed by Donald Steel, has hosted numerous professional tournaments over the years. The club’s website indicates that there is currently no waiting list for membership and does not charge a joining fee. Visitor green fees range from £55 to £70 depending on the day of the week.
Throughout its 34-year history, Mill Ride Golf Club has changed ownership several times. Originally opened in 1990, the club was sold by its original developers to Lazian Ltd, which then sold it to The Country Club Group in 2003. The ownership eventually transferred to Jeffrey & Hillary UK Ltd in 2013, a company majority owned by Jeffrey Chao, chairman of TP-Link. It is unknown when Hajiyeva acquired ownership or if she was part of the consortium that purchased the club.
Hajiyeva’s lawyers defended her involvement in the proceedings, stating that the settlement did not imply any factual findings regarding her knowledge or involvement in the properties. They explained that it was difficult to defend the case due to limited access to crucial documents from her imprisoned husband in Azerbaijan. Despite the legal complications, the club continues to welcome members and visitors, offering a top-quality golfing experience on its well-regarded course designed by a prominent golf architect.
