The club was purchased by a group of investors in February 1996. Mike and Moira Ridding were looking to buy a house in France, and Mike visited an exhibition of International Property sales at Sandown Park. He saw a house on a golf course, which was the original clubhouse, and expressed interest, but did not follow it up.

A month later the Agent sent the details again, and this time Mike took the details with him to Fulwell Golf Club, and showed them to his golfing group. There was some interest and Tony Hale (one of the group) said his nephew was a builder living in France who could have a preliminary look. Jon Parris, Tony's nephew, went to view Mas Del Teil. Jon reported back that he felt there was potential, and that he would be prepared to be involved in the development.

In August 1995, the Riddings and Hales decided it was worth pursuing provided they could get more investors to buy and develop the site. They were shown around the land in a 4-wheel drive, which was necessary as the land had been neglected following the death of the previous owner and had reverted to thick forest. They met the widow, Mme Nicole, a lovely lady who was still living in the house. A junior golf pro, Danny was living in a caravan by the first tee (visible in photo below).

The estate agent Mike Hogan and his wife Francoise, invited them to his house for dinner, and explained the purchase process, warning that there were other interested parties (usual sales pitch). But they we had already decided to buy, and signed the initial agreement next day.

A group of shareholders including the Tilleys, Molloys, Hales, Parris, Livesey and Riddings went to Souillac in October 1995 to finalise the purchase with the Notaire in Sarlat.

The process was completed in February 1996, and the  newly formed Isle of Man company named Wardbay Ltd became the owner of Mas del Teil and surrounding land. The property had been owned by M. Nicole, a Parisian who had the dream of developing a golf course. He and his wife developed a six hole course and then extended it to nine holes. Unfortunately M. Nicole died unexpectedly of cancer, and his widow, a lovely lady, had to sell.

Jon Parris and family came to live in the clubhouse and development started, with the construction of the pool, tennis courts and first 5 houses on what is now Les Orchidées.

In Sept 2000 Graham Searle was appointed Chairman and Mike Ridding as Director of Wardbay Ltd. Jon Parris acted as Gerant of Souillac Country Club S.A.R.L., Tony Hale as Financial Controller, with Mike Ridding responsible for marketing of house sales, and Ludo Hanks rentals.

...to be continued.